The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)

04/30/2025

Happening now! 📢 Join us for the first anniversary event! Dr. Michael Platt will explore the role of social relationships in primates’ daily lives, survival, health, and well-being.
Registration required:

For humans and nonhuman primates alike, deeper and more numerous social connections promote health, well-being, and survival. Precisely how primates navigate the multidimensional social relationships that structure daily life and shape survival and reproductive success remains a mystery.

04/25/2025

The April 2025 issue of the Connector newsletter is available!

Stay informed about:
✅ Upcoming OBSSR events
✅ NIH funding opportunities
✅ The latest Director’s Spotlight
✅ Research Highlights

Read the newsletter: https://go.nih.gov/XaTIaDG

Subscribe to receive future issues: https://nih.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=90101cfda8ab653679a4df12c&id=fc23191f7f

04/23/2025

How do social relationships shape health and survival? Learn more during our inaugural anniversary webinar on April 30 at 11:00 a.m. ET with Dr. Michael Platt! Register now:

For humans and nonhuman primates alike, deeper and more numerous social connections promote health, well-being, and survival. Precisely how primates navigate the multidimensional social relationships that structure daily life and shape survival and reproductive success remains a mystery.

04/22/2025

In her latest Director’s Spotlight, Dr. Simoni discusses basic behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) efforts, collaborations, and activities at NIH. Read more about what basic BSSR is, how BSSR ties to the NIH mission, and what NIH’s BSSR priorities are:

Basic behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) is a cornerstone of OBSSR’s work at NIH. OBSSR leads ongoing coordination and collaboration activities in basic BSSR. In her latest Director’s Spotlight, Dr. Simoni shares her thoughts on basic BSSR priorities and efforts and BSSR integration ...

04/18/2025

Can pictorial warning labels on sugary drinks affect the choices parents make for their children? Our latest Research Highlight spotlights a study testing if these labels lead to healthier choices.

Read all about it:

Sugary drinks, also known as sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), can be a major source of added sugars in everyday diets. These drinks include soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, and energy drinks. Researchers are interested in ways to reduce SSB consumption. A study supported by the National Institute...

04/08/2025

Join us on April 30 at 11:00 a.m. ET for the inaugural anniversary event! Dr. Michael Platt will explore the role of social relationships in primates’ daily lives, survival, health, and well-being.

Details:

For humans and nonhuman primates alike, deeper and more numerous social connections promote health, well-being, and survival. Precisely how primates navigate the multidimensional social relationships that structure daily life and shape survival and reproductive success remains a mystery.

04/03/2025

Register for the upcoming workshop “Reasoning Algorithms Across Species, Diagnoses, and Development: Theoretical Frameworks Informing Causal Manipulations.” Join us online on April 23, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET for a discussion of theoretical frameworks and reasoning.

Learn more and register today: https://go.nih.gov/wMoodxP

03/27/2025

Our March Connector newsletter has arrived! Stay informed with the latest Director’s Spotlight, upcoming OBSSR events, recently published funding opportunities, and more.

Read it today: https://go.nih.gov/XaTIaDG

Have the OBSSR Connector delivered straight to your inbox each month! Subscribe here: https://nih.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=90101cfda8ab653679a4df12c&id=fc23191f7f

03/24/2025

In her Director’s Spotlight, Dr. Simoni highlights how safe, stable, and nurturing childhood relationships shape lifelong health. Learn how the National Institutes of Health supports research on early childhood development and health outcomes. https://go.nih.gov/n1DjZWA

03/19/2025

Behavioral & social sciences are key to understanding health. OBSSR has spent 30 years advancing research that improves lives. Join us throughout 2025 as we commemorate this milestone!

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the official opening of OBSSR at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1995. Our office was created by Congress in 1993 to identify, coordinate, and advance behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) across NIH. The office’s formation underscored th...

03/18/2025

As of April 30, this account will no longer be active. Follow National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the latest news and information. Subscribe to our email updates: https://bit.ly/4hzTN8F

03/17/2025

Celebrating 30 Years of OBSSR! For three decades, we've advanced research that improves health outcomes. In her latest Director’s Spotlight, Dr. Simoni reflects on our impact & future. Stay tuned for ways to join the celebration!

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the official opening of OBSSR at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 1995. Our office was created by Congress in 1993 to identify, coordinate, and advance behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) across NIH. The office’s formation underscored th...