Economics of Religion
Supports multidisciplinary research on how religion influences economic development, social progress, and related outcomes, with a focus on the interplay between religious beliefs, institutions, and economic trajectories.
Funder: National Bureau of Economic Research
Due Dates: September 1, 2026: Paper submission deadline — papers must be uploaded by 11:59pm ET
Funding Amounts: Honorarium for presenting authors; modest travel/accommodation support for graduate students
Summary: Supports research on the economic, social, and institutional impacts of religion, seeking multidisciplinary perspectives.
Key Information: Papers already accepted for publication before November 2026 are not eligible; no policy recommendations allowed in presentations.
Description
This funding opportunity supports research that explores the multifaceted relationship between religion and economic outcomes. The focus is on understanding how religion has shaped and continues to influence economic development, social progress, human capital, technological change, demographic shifts, and labor market allocation. The program encourages studies on the roles of religious beliefs, institutions, and practices in shaping political, institutional, and financial market trajectories, as well as the intersection of superstition and economics. Multidisciplinary research and work outside traditional economics are especially welcomed to deepen the understanding of religion's impact on income and wealth distribution across societies.
