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URL: http://obssr.od.nih.gov/index.aspx

Proper Citation: Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (RRID:SCR_006554)

Description: An NIH office devoted to the study of the role of behavioral and social factors in illness and health. Its mission is to stimulate behavioral and social sciences research throughout NIH and to integrate these areas of research more fully into others of the NIH health research enterprise, thereby improving our understanding, treatment, and prevention of disease. To provide the OBSSR with counsel in fulfilling its mission, the Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee (BSSR CC) serves as an internal advisory board. The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) opened officially on July 1, 1995. The major responsibilities of the office and its director, set forth in its formal mission statement, are: * To provide leadership and direction in the development, refinement, and implementation of a trans-NIH plan to increase the scope of and support for behavioral and social sciences research. * To inform and advise the NIH director and other key officials of trends and developments having significant bearing on the missions of the NIH, DHHS, and other federal agencies. * To serve as the principal NIH spokesperson regarding research on the importance of behavioral, social, and lifestyle factors in the causation, treatment, and prevention of diseases; and to advise and consult on these topics with NIH scientists and others within and outside the federal government. * To develop a standard definition of behavioral and social sciences research, assess the current levels of NIH support for this research, and develop an overall strategy for the uniform expansion and integration * of these disciplines across NIH institutes and centers. * To develop initiatives designed to stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences arena, integrate a bio-behavioral perspective across the research areas of the NIH, and encourage the study of behavioral and social sciences across NIH''s institutes and centers. * To initiate and promote studies to evaluate the contributions of behavioral, social, and lifestyle determinants in the development, course, treatment, and prevention of illness and related public health problems. * To provide leadership in ensuring that findings from behavioral and social sciences research are disseminated to the public. * To sponsor seminars, symposia, workshops, and conferences at the NIH and at national and international scientific meetings on state-of-the-art behavioral and social sciences research. Funding Opportunities Announcements (FOA) Since opening its doors in 1995, The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) has worked to achieve the goals of its authorizing legislation by effectively highlighting and supporting the scientific opportunities that exist in basic and applied behavioral and social sciences research. Guided by its Strategic Plan, OBSSR has been working actively with its IC partners to develop funding opportunities in the behavioral and social sciences. Although OBSSR does not have grant-making authority, it has been active in organizing and funding (through transfers to NIH Institutes and Centers) a variety of trans-NIH research programs. Scientific Areas The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Researchs (OBSSR) leadership is crucial at a time when exciting scientific opportunities, persistent public health needs, and emergent public health challenges face our nation. The vision of the office is to bring together the biomedical, behavioral, and social science communities to work more collaboratively to solve complex pressing health challenges. Notable areas of research where OBSSR has led efforts and encourages research include: * Biopsychosocial Interactions * Methodology (including Systems Science and CBPR) * Genes, Behavior and Environment * Social and Cultural Factors in Health * Health and Behavior * Translation OBSSR Training & Education Opportunities The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) develops and coordinates training and career development opportunities with the NIH Institutes and Centers.

Abbreviations: OBSSR, NIH/OBSSR

Synonyms: NIH OBSSR, NIH Office of Behavioral Social Sciences Research, Office of Behavioral Social Sciences Research

Resource Type: portal, funding resource, organization portal, data or information resource

Keywords: educational material, educational opportunity, events, behavioral, career development, disease, health, human, illness, journal articles, news, prevention, publications, public health, research, social factors, social sciences, treatment, meeting