Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
Coordinating Committee
Purpose
Membership
Meeting Schedule
Current and Recent Activities
 Purpose
The NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee (BSSR CC) was established to enhance information exchange, communication, integration, and coordination of behavioral and social sciences research/training activities at the NIH. Formerly known as the NIH Health and Behavior Coordinating Committee, the committee’s name was changed in 1996 to emphasize its relationship with the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), Office of the Director (OD), NIH. The NIH Institute/Center Directors (ICDs) participate in the Coordinating Committee through their appointment of a member and an alternate.
Specifically, the BSSR CC is charged with the following:
- Serving as an advisory body to the Director, OBSSR/OD/NIH. This includes (a) making recommendations regarding scientific, programmatic, and policy issues and activities and (b) assisting OBSSR in the coordination of and collaboration among the ICDs in programmatic and scientific activities in the behavioral and social sciences at the NIH.
- Serving as a point of coordination among the ICDs, OBSSR, NIH staff, and the external scientific community. This includes facilitating and promoting (a) exchange of programmatic and scientific information of mutual interest and (b) planning and implementation of collaborative programmatic and scientific activities and initiatives.
In fulfilling this charge, the BSSR CC meets bi-monthly to plan, develop, and coordinate such activities as the issuance of Program Announcements and Requests for Applications; the convening of scientific lectures, seminars, and workshops (e.g., the NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Seminar Series); the preparation of reports on the current status and future direction of health and behavior research at the NIH; the organization of presentations to lay and scientific organizations; and the addition of behavioral and social research components to NIH initiatives and studies.
The Director, NIH, appoints the chair of the BSSR CC, and each Institute/Center Director appoints a member and an alternate to serve as representatives. The NIH Office of the Director is represented by the Office of Disease Prevention (ODP) and the Office of AIDS Research (OAR). BSSR CC meetings are also open to NIH employees.
Ronald P. Abeles, Ph.D., Chairperson
31 Center Drive
Building 31, Room B1C11
Bethesda, MD 20892
E-mail: abelesr@od.nih.gov
Phone: 301.496.7859
Fax: 301.435.8779
 Meeting Schedule
The BSSR CC convenes on the first Friday of February, April, June, October, and December.
Procedure for Meetings During Inclement Weather:
In the event of inclement weather, the BSSR CC convenes according to the OPM-reported federal government operating status (i.e. open, closed, delayed arrival, etc.). In the event the federal government is closed or open with a delayed arrival of an hour or more, the BSSR CC meeting will be postponed for a date later in the month. However, if the federal government is open and employees are expected to arrive on time, the BSSR CC meeting will convene as planned from 9-11 AM in room 525 of the Gateway Building at 7201 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda.
Federal government operating status information can be obtained from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) at http://www.opm.gov/status/ or (202) 606-1900.
9:00 to 11:00 AM
Gateway Building, Room 525
7201 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland
 Current and Recent Activities
Minutes of Monthly Meetings
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