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Economy and Workforce

A strong economy depends on innovation, opportunity, and a skilled workforce. The National Academies provide evidence-based insights on economic growth, labor trends, and workforce development. Explore research that supports economic progress and prepares a skilled and robust workforce for the future of work.

What's happening

U.S. Should Substantially Boost Support for Manufacturing USA Program, Issue National Industrial Manufacturing Strategy, Says New Report

News Release

To better compete globally and drive national progress in manufacturing, the U.S. should develop a comprehensive industrial strategy to align resources for manufacturing and maximize the economic and national security impacts of the Manufacturing USA program — a network of 17 institutes that specialize in different types of advanced manufacturing.

May 14, 2026

Aerial Car Factory 3D Concept: Automated Robot Arm Assembly Line Manufacturing Advanced High-Tech Green Energy Electric Vehicles. Construction, Building, Welding Industrial Production Conveyor

Navigating the Turbulent Future of AI and Work

Feature Story

How is artificial intelligence affecting education and jobs, and what should young people study now to be employable in the future? A recent National Academies workshop explored these questions, along with how organizations can collaborate to steer AI’s use and impacts.

May 4, 2026

Teacher giving AI (Artificial Intelligence) Introduction in the classroom

Gulf Futures Challenge Winners Offer Bold Solutions for Offshore and Resilience Challenges

Program News

In 2024, the Gulf Research Program (GRP) of the National Academies asked the people of the U.S. Gulf Coast to envision bold science-based ideas to create safer and more resilient communities where people in the Gulf region can live, work, and thrive. Through its Gulf Futures Challenge, the GRP aimed to leverage the inherent talent and knowledge of the people of the Gulf by supporting ideas and solutions from those who understand the region best.

Apr 23, 2026

Storm Clouds Over St. Petersburg, Florida

Featured Publications

DOT and FAA Airport Legal Determination and Opinion Letter Abstracts of 2024

2026

A Vision for the Manufacturing USA Program in 2030 and 2035

Consensus Study Report

2026

Preparing the Transportation Workforce for Emerging Technologies: A Guide

2026

Preparing the Transportation Workforce for Emerging Technologies: Developing a Guide

2026

Addressing Liability Issues of Proactive Safety Improvements

2026

Buy America Requirements for Federally Obligated Airports

2026

Coordination of Highway Safety Improvement Program and Highway Safety Office Activities

2026

Revenue and Financing Alternatives for Medium and Small U.S. Airports in an Evolving Landscape

2026

Data Ontologies for Data-Driven Decision-Making: Research Approach and Findings

2026

UAS Flight Proficiency Examination: Proctor Guide for PROPS Test

2026

Preparing U.S. Airport Infrastructure for Weather Events

2026

Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Addiction Mitigation in Construction and Maintenance

2026

State DOT Training Programs Used to Comply with NPDES Stormwater Permit Requirements

2026

Advancing the Art and Science of Decision-Making: A Guide

2026

The Business Case for Knowledge Management: A Guide

2026

Review of the SBIR and STTR Programs at the Department of Defense

Consensus Study Report

2026

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

Proceedings

2025

Macroeconomic Implications for Decarbonization Policies and Actions: Proceedings of a Workshop

Proceedings

2025

Women's Empowerment, Population Dynamics, and Socioeconomic Development

Consensus Study Report

2025

Methods for Enhancing Additive Manufacturing Qualification and Certification for Defense Applications: Proceedings of a Workshop—in Brief

Proceedings

2025

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

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Working Group 1: On Leading A Lab, Guidance for Lab Leaders

Supporting Activity

In Progress

Science and Technology for Resilience

Initiative

In Progress

Resilient-America-Roundtable.jpg | https://nasemoceprodcomm-nationalacademies.cec.ocp.oraclecloud.com/content/published/api/v1.1/assets/CONTF454229962B24AD69CCB0A37CBEF7BA8/native?cb=_cache_daba&format=webp&channelToken=d2dc71410b56f1d61406108f1738d0f4

Handling Missing Data on the Consumer Expenditure Surveys and Implications for the Consumer Price Index: A Meeting of Experts

Meeting of Experts

In Progress

NextGen Oil Spill Research Community of Practice and Webinar Series

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Progress

Improving Command Climate, Unit Cohesion, and Warfighter Readiness

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

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

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

A Data Infrastructure for Measuring the Care Economy

Consensus/Advisory Activity

In Progress

Space Science Week

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Progress

Partial solar eclipse above the curvature of the Earth in the foreground.

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

Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable Webinars

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Progress

Careers that Care: Strengthening the Future of Animal Research Professions

Educational/Outreach Activity

In Formation

Close up of someone wearing blue gloves and holding a mouse.

Implementing Policies to Prevent “Passing the Harasser” in Higher Education

Individually-Authored Product

Completed

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

NASA Mission Critical Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Review of EPA’s Use of Title 42 Special Hiring Authority

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Ocean Acoustics Education and Expertise

Consensus/Advisory Activity

Completed

Subtopics

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery

Business Partnerships

Commercialization

Economic Development

Economic Policy

Labor Economics

Organizational Leadership

Professional Development

Workforce Development

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Economy and Workforce

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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

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

Working Group 1: On Leading A Lab, Guidance for Lab Leaders

Science and Technology for Resilience

Handling Missing Data on the Consumer Expenditure Surveys and Implications for the Consumer Price Index: A Meeting of Experts

NextGen Oil Spill Research Community of Practice and Webinar Series

Improving Command Climate, Unit Cohesion, and Warfighter Readiness

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

A Data Infrastructure for Measuring the Care Economy

Space Science Week

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

Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable Webinars

Careers that Care: Strengthening the Future of Animal Research Professions

Implementing Policies to Prevent “Passing the Harasser” in Higher Education

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

NASA Mission Critical Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology

International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment

Review of EPA’s Use of Title 42 Special Hiring Authority

Ocean Acoustics Education and Expertise

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

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

Careers that Care: Strengthening the Future of Animal Research Professions

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

Advancing Commercialization from the Federal Laboratories

A Patent System for the 21st Century

Strategic Long-Term Participation by DOD in its Manufacturing Innovation Institutes

Capitalizing on Science, Technology, and Innovation: An Assessment of the Small Business Innovation Research Program

University-Industry Demonstration Partnership

Careers that Care: Strengthening the Future of Animal Research Professions

Expanding Underrepresented Minority Participation: America's Science and Technology Talent at the Crossroads

The Postdoctoral Experience Revisited

The Science of Effective Mentoring in STEMM

Closing the Equity Gap: Securing our STEM Education and Workforce Readiness Infrastructure in the Nation's Minority-Serving Institutions

Supporting English Learners in STEM Subjects

The Integration of the Humanities and Arts with Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine in Higher Education

Improving Higher Education’s Responsiveness to STEM Workforce Needs: Identifying Analytical Tools and Regional Best Practices

Developing a Framework for an International Faculty Development Project on Education about Research in the Life Sciences with Dual Use Potential

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

Working Group 1: On Leading A Lab, Guidance for Lab Leaders

Improving Command Climate, Unit Cohesion, and Warfighter Readiness

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

NASA Mission Critical Workforce, Infrastructure, and Technology

Assessment of NASA Aeronautics University Leadership Initiative

Investigating the Potential Impact of COVID-19 on the Careers of Women in Academic Science, Engineering, and Medicine

Promising Practices for Addressing the Underrepresentation of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine

The Science of Effective Mentoring in STEMM

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

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

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

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

Government-University-Industry-Philanthropy Research Roundtable Webinars

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

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

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

Science and Technology for Resilience

NextGen Oil Spill Research Community of Practice and Webinar Series

Investigating the Potential Impact of COVID-19 on the Careers of Women in Academic Science, Engineering, and Medicine

Future Research Goals and Directions for Foundational Science in Cybersecurity

Careers that Care: Strengthening the Future of Animal Research Professions

Implementing Policies to Prevent “Passing the Harasser” in Higher Education

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

International Talent Programs in the Changing Global Environment

Ocean Acoustics Education and Expertise

Decadal Survey of Social and Behavioral Sciences for Applications to National Security

Understanding the Engineering Education--Workforce Continuum

Addressing Abuses of Power to Prevent Sexual Harassment

Innovative Approaches to Prevent “Passing the Harasser” in Higher Education

Applying Procedural Justice to Prevent and Address Sexual Harassment

Measuring the Transformation of Retail Trade and Related Activities

Depicting Innovation in Information Technology