Director’s Voice Blog
A Q&A with WALS Lecturer Jenny Tung on her research with primates and advice for aspiring scientists
The NIH Director’s Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series, colloquially known as WALS, is the highest-profile lecture program at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) is honored that our nominee, Jenny Tung, Ph.D., was selected this year. As we look forward to her lecture on May 1, we asked Dr. Tung to share a little bit about her background, career, and research. Read the full blog.
Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Spotlights
A New Model for Studying Social Isolation and Health in People with Serious Mental Illnesses
Researchers have developed a promising new framework for studying the link between social disconnection and poor physical health in people living with serious mental illnesses (SMI). Drawing on published research from animal models and data from the general population, this framework builds on existing social isolation and loneliness models by integrating insights from evolutionary and cognitive theories. This research was supported by OBSSR and the National Institute of Mental Health. Continue reading.
Events
Registration Now Open for the Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Sciences Honors
Date and Time: May 20, 2024, 1:00-4:30 p.m.
Registration is now open for the 17th Matilda White Riley Behavioral and Social Sciences Honors. The event recognizes both emerging scientists and leaders in the field whose research reflects Dr. Matilda White Riley’s vision of research excellence in health-related behavioral and social sciences. Matilda White Riley was a celebrated scientist and member of the National Academy of Sciences whose transformative work and leadership left a lasting impact on behavioral and social sciences across NIH and beyond.
Join us for the Future of Scientific Conferencing Workshop
Dates and Times: June 6, 2024, 12:00–5:00 p.m. ET; June 7, 2024, 12:00–3:00 p.m. ET; June 11, 12:00–5:00 p.m. ET
The Future of Scientific Conferencing Workshop will bring together diverse perspectives from multiple disciplines to explore advantages, barriers, gaps, and opportunities in the future of scientific conferencing for the behavioral and social sciences. Areas of particular focus include technological innovations that enable virtual and hybrid approaches, and the impact of these approaches on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging of participants and attendees as well as environmental sustainability. The workshop will incorporate innovative evidence-informed approaches to showcase the potential of a virtual platform for learning, networking, and participant engagement. Read more and register
PATH Study Data User Workshop: Apply by 5/31 for the July/August 2024 Events
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) are sponsoring a Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Data User Workshop to further the understanding and use of PATH Study data files. The workshop is part of the 2024 ICPSR Summer Program. The in-person session will take place July 29-30 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The virtual-only will take place August 15-16 via Zoom. Both workshop sessions offer the same content. To attend, apply by May 31. Enrollment is limited and admission to the workshop is competitive. Apply for the PATH Study Data User Workshop
News
Deadline Extended: PAR-22-233 (Time-Sensitive Opportunities for Health Research)
The funding opportunity, Time-Sensitive Opportunities for Health Research (PAR-22-233), has been extended for an additional year. The funding opportunity aims to expedite the review and award process to support research focused on understanding health outcomes related to unexpected or time-sensitive events, such as emergent environmental threats and pandemics or changes in local, state, or national policies, as well as natural disasters. Please note that the OBSSR contact has changed to Rosalind King, Ph.D., Chief, Scientific Development and Coordination Section. The expiration date is March 2, 2025.
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OBSSR Reissues the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Training in Advanced Data and Analytics for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (TADA-BSSR) Program
OBSSR, along with several other NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices, has reissued a funding opportunity for the Training in Advanced Data Analytics for Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (TADA-BSSR) program. TADA-BSSR supports behavioral and social sciences research (BSSR) predoctoral training programs that focus on innovative computational or data science analytic approaches. The application period is now open and closes on May 24, 2024.
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NIH ECHO Program Issues Request for Information on Potential Strategic Priorities as Part of Strategic Planning Process
NIH is seeking feedback on potential strategic priorities for the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Program through 2029. NIH welcomes researchers, advocates, clinicians, and the public to offer observational and intervention research priorities that ECHO can consider during its upcoming strategic planning process. Comments are due by Friday, May 31, 2024.
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New PATH Study Data Files Release
NIDA and CTP have released the Wave 7 Restricted-Use File (RUF) from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. Wave 7 files contain data collected between January 2022 and April 2023, including questionnaire data, tobacco Universal Product Code (UPC) data, and state identifier data.
In addition, the PATH Study Biomarker Restricted-Use Files (BRUF) have been updated to include additional assays from Wave 4 and Wave 5. The PATH Study Restricted-Use Files (RUF) now include Wave 6 Ever/Never reference data for all participants. The Restricted-Use and Public-Use Master Linkage Files have each been updated to reflect the new RUF files and the current availability of biospecimens in the Biospecimen Access Program.
Research are encouraged to apply for access to the Restricted-Use Files and Biomarker Restricted-Use Files. Public-Use Files are also available for download.
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Recently Published Funding Opportunities |