OBSSR is committed to building mutually beneficial collaborations with NIH staff, federal agencies, and external partners to accelerate translation of BSSR evidence into programs, practice, and policies. To foster team science and enhance multidisciplinary research, OBSSR strategically provides co-funding support for NIH-wide initiatives that encompass OBSSR priorities and intersect with the interests of multiple NIH ICOs.
OBSSR recognizes the importance of developing the scientific talent and skills necessary to advance health-related BSSR. Training and capacity building are foundational to an effective BSSR workforce poised to address the complex research challenges of today and the future.
Improving health requires a comprehensive and collaborative approach that integrates BSSR within the health research enterprise, creating an environment for synergistic scientific inquiry. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, critical BSSR questions emerged that can be generalized across health domains.
Goal 1: Integrate and Coordinate Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Across the National Institutes of Health
The OBSSR Strategic Plan is grounded in the principle of health for all. This is achieved when everyone has the best opportunity to be as healthy as possible. BSSR can contribute to this principle by identifying and addressing the social, economic, and environmental factors that contribute to health disparities and impede health and well-being for all people.
OBSSR will execute its strategic plan by bringing together key partners to identify gaps and opportunities in BSSR within the broader NIH research enterprise, particularly those not adequately addressed by individual NIH institutes and centers (ICs). We will continuously assess the plan’s implementation using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including portfolio analyses, systematic evaluation, and engagement in research policy. We will methodically measure and monitor the impact and progress of our initiatives against our strategic priorities.
OBSSR’s approach to priority setting involves engaging partners at various levels to gather feedback and ensure alignment with our mission and vision. This process emphasizes collaboration and transparency, incorporating many perspectives from a variety of partners. By fostering open dialogue with multiple internal and external groups, we can identify priorities that reflect the most pressing needs and opportunities within the BSSR arena.
