Decision, Risk and Management Sciences - Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants

The Decision, Risk and Management Sciences - Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DRMS DDRIG) program is administered by the U.S. National Science Foundation, a federal agency dedicated to promoting the progress of science across disciplines. This program is part of the foundation's commitment to fostering innovation and knowledge advancement in the social, behavioral, and economic sciences. The DRMS DDRIG opportunity aims to support doctoral students conducting dissertation research in areas that enhance understanding and effectiveness of decision-making processes at various levels—individual, organizational, and societal. The scope of the DRMS program encompasses several critical subfields, including judgment and decision-making, decision analysis and aids, risk perception and communication, public-policy decision-making, and organizational design. The goal is to fund research that is grounded in robust theoretical frameworks and offers generalizable insights. Importantly, the program excludes purely theoretical or algorithmic proposals without applied social or behavioral science relevance. Through this grant, the NSF seeks to advance knowledge that addresses both scientific and societal issues while ensuring that supported projects demonstrate broader impacts. Funding is discretionary in nature and provided through grants, with a total estimated program funding of $675,000. The program anticipates making approximately 30 awards. While no specific minimum or maximum award amounts are listed, the scope of available funding suggests a modest level of individual support appropriate for dissertation research. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, making this program particularly accessible for eligible applicants. Eligibility is restricted to Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education located in the United States. These institutions must submit proposals on behalf of doctoral students. Proposals must be submitted through standard organizational channels, with the doctoral student’s advisor listed as the principal investigator (PI), and the student listed as a co-principal investigator (co-PI). An additional faculty advisor may also be listed as a co-PI if applicable. This ensures appropriate academic oversight and institutional accountability. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov or other NSF systems according to the deadlines. As of the most recent update, the current deadline for submission is August 18, 2026. No pre-application materials such as Letters of Intent or Concept Papers are required, simplifying the process for applicants. Proposals should adhere to NSF's standard grant preparation guidelines, including submission through institutional channels and inclusion of the appropriate certification and narrative components. For assistance with the application or any technical difficulties, applicants can contact NSF's grants.gov support at [email protected]. This opportunity is part of NSF’s ongoing support for doctoral research, and recurring submission cycles are expected. The previous deadline occurred in January 2024, with annual opportunities likely to follow this pattern. Based on this recurrence, the next expected application cycle after August 2026 would likely open in August 2027.