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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

Impacts of the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit on Child Poverty: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

Proceedings

2025

Women's Empowerment, Population Dynamics, and Socioeconomic Development

Consensus Study Report

2025

An Introduction to Economic Systems as a Structural Driver of Population Health and Exploring Narratives and Narrative Change: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

Proceedings

2024

Supply Chain Disruptions: Impacts on Vulnerable Communities: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

Proceedings

2024

Intergenerational Poverty and Mobility Among Native Americans in the United States: Proceedings of a Workshop

Proceedings

2023

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

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Recently Completed

Exploring Opportunities for Energy Parks

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Progress

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

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

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

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action

Seminar/Webinar/Lecture

In Progress

A crowd during an event at the NAS building.

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

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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

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

Oversight Unit

In Progress

Cargo train transportation - Freight railway. Used for TRB

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Economic Development

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What's happening

Featured Publications

Featured work

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

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

Exploring Opportunities for Energy Parks

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

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

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

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

Climate Conversations: Pathways to Action

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

Women’s Empowerment, Population Dynamics, and Socioeconomic Development

Upcoming events

Units

Transportation Research Board Executive Office

Social and Economic Systems Program Area

National Cooperative Highway Research Program

Science and Technology Policy and Law Program Area

Transit Cooperative Research Program

Science and Engineering Education and Workforce Program Area

Action Collaborative on Education and Workforce Trajectories in Tech

Technical Activities Division

Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable

Transportation Research Board (TRB)