Service Delivery by State and Local Governments
This grant funds research on improving state and local government service delivery, focusing on efficiency, innovation, and the evolving roles of public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Funder: National Bureau of Economic Research
Due Dates: July 15, 2026: Paper submission deadline (submissions should be uploaded by 11:59pm ET on this date)
Funding Amounts: Modest honorarium and full coverage of hotel and economy-class travel for up to two authors per selected paper.
Summary: Supports research on challenges and innovations in state and local government service delivery, with a focus on efficiency and public sector processes.
Description
This opportunity supports research into the delivery of critical services by state and local governments in the United States. The program, organized by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) with support from the Smith Richardson Foundation, seeks papers for a research conference to be held January 28–29, 2027, in Cambridge, MA. The focus is on the production process within the public sector, the complementary roles of private and non-profit organizations, and the valuation of publicly-provided services. Research topics may include public sector labor markets, revenue fluctuations, procurement, safety net programs, economies of scale, demographic changes, educational challenges, state responses to federal policy, public transit evolution, and the use of artificial intelligence in government.
