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Economic Development

Economic development supports jobs, innovation, and community well-being. The National Academies research strategies that promote growth and long-term prosperity. 

What's happening

As Demand for Electricity Grows, Energy Parks Are Being Explored as Potential Solutions

Feature Story

The energy needs of AI data centers are greatly increasing the amount of electricity demanded from our aging power grid. A recent National Academies webinar looked at the potential benefits and barriers of regional energy parks — which co-locate local power sources and large-scale users at a single point on the grid — to provide electricity quickly and more affordably.

Feb 26, 2026
Steel transmission towers stretch across a desert plain at sunset while glowing blue strands symbolize data-intensive artificial intelligence increasing power consumption.

Featured Publications

Featured work

Review of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs at the Department of Defense

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

Review of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs at NASA

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

External Review of Environmental, Biosafety, and Biosecurity Considerations for Synthetic Cell Research and Development

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Roadmap for Transformative Action to Achieve Health for All at Net-Zero Emissions

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Assessment of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs at the Department of Energy

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable Webinars

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Progress

Development of a Plan to Promote Defense Research at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic-Serving Institutions

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Women’s Empowerment, Population Dynamics, and Socioeconomic Development

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Safeguarding the Bioeconomy: Finding Strategies for Understanding, Evaluating, and Protecting the Bioeconomy while Sustaining Innovation and Growth

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Workplace Barriers, Solutions, and Policies for STEM and STEM Education Professionals and Postsecondary Students with Disabilities

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Units

Transportation Research Board Executive Office

Oversight Unit

In Formation

Social and Economic Systems Program Area

Oversight Unit

In Progress
Happy and smiling multiracial family with grandparents by the beach in New England

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Science and Technology Policy and Law Program Area

Oversight Unit

In Progress
The US Supreme Court and Capitol Building - Washington DC

Transit Cooperative Research Program

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Science and Engineering Education and Workforce Program Area

Oversight Unit

In Progress
Diverse Engineers Discussing New Powerful Microchip to Put it Inside the Modern Drone. Innovative Technologies in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Concept.

Action Collaborative on Education and Workforce Trajectories in Tech

Action Collaborative

Recently Completed

Technical Activities Division

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable

Roundtable/Forum

In Progress
Decorative Image.

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

Oversight Unit

In Progress
Cargo train transportation - Freight railway. Used for TRB
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