The application of behavioral science in policymaking is expanding globally, and this project aimed to establish a vibrant behavioral science ecosystem in India.

The first phase of the project aimed to understand the application of behavioral science in other countries and learn from successful and unsuccessful attempts. The focus was on organizational structure, financing models, and talent pipelines of behavioral insights units worldwide. The goal was to use these insights to establish a behavioral science unit in India.

The second phase involved exploring how successful strategies from other countries can be tailored and applied to the Indian context. The landscape of potential institutions and opportunities for applying behavioral science in India were mapped, with consideration being put on scalability and relevant constraints.

The third phase tested initial ideas and adapted the findings from previous phases. Pilots were conducted with implementing partners to determine what worked well and necessary changes made before scaling up. The findings from these pilots informed the final recommendations for building a dynamic behavioral science ecosystem in India.

The general approach included examining the setup and funding models of previous organizations, understanding organizational structure and required skill sets, and assessing project selection criteria and indicators of success.