Behavioural Insights Projects
Discover projects applying behavioural science to policy from around the world. Add your own projects, whether completed or still ongoing, to contribute knowledge on BI applications across different countries, policy areas, and topics of interest.

Number of BI projects:
0
Legend: Projects status
- Pre-registered project
- Completed project
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Challenge
Research suggests that some students—including low-income, underrepresented minority, and first generation students—avoid applying for financial aid due to a combination of psychological reasons. Some are overwhelmed by the complexity of the process, while others worry they’ll feel out of place in college or be stigmatized for their socio-economic background. These psychological factors can cause students to avoid applying for aid, or fail to complete their financial aid…
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is preparing to deliver the next Census of Population and Housing (the Census) in 2021. BETA has partnered with the ABS to make it easier and more convenient for people to engage with the Census process.
A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted at seven of Amel’s community centers to improve the performance of students sitting for Cycle I exams. The trial consisted of a short activity that comprised of a ranking exercise whereby they have to rank a list of 10 values from most of least important to them, followed by a drawing exercise in which they have to visualize their number 1 value [9]. Both exercises were completed by students right before sitting for their exams.
BI Project
The impact of the energy label – and potential changes to it – on consumer understanding and on…
The study explores consumers’ understanding of the individual elements of the energy label and how the label design influences consumer choice. To this end, the study implemented two behavioural experiments to measure cognitive and behavioural responses to various label elements.
Not all UWV clients who receive unemployment benefit post their CVs on werk.nl. This prevents them from being found or matched for a job. Would it help to send them a reminder to their personal Work Folder as well as a text message? Yes it would: this experiment shows that five times more clients are then prompted to put their CV online, compared to clients who are not sent a reminder.
Why this experiment was conducted: missing CVs
25% of jobseekers on unemployment benefit who are asked to post…
BI Project
Using savings to clear debit balances: What is the impact of pre-entering a repayment amount and…
Saving while being overdrawn costs consumers money. The interest they have to pay is far more than the interest they receive. An experiment tested two interventions aimed at encouraging consumers to use their savings to clear any overdraft, by pre-entering a repayment amount and giving explicit information about costs. These interventions lead to better choices amongst many, although not yet all, consumers.
Why this experiment was conducted: saving while being overdrawn costs
Dutch citizens…
The project involves a consultancy to diagnose and strengthen the behavioral incentive strategies of the Periodic Economic Benefits (BEPS) program by COLPENSIONES.
Key Components:
- Behavioral Diagnosis: Identify cognitive, social, and structural barriers limiting participation and savings in BEPS.
- Analysis of Current Strategies: Evaluate the effectiveness of existing behavioral incentives, such as nudges, rewards, and simplification mechanisms.
- Design of Recommendations: Propose…
The aim of the project was to reduce common errors that self-employed taxpayers make when
they complete certain sections of tax return form 1770, such as identifying their business category and declaring assets and liabilities. Taxpayers can make both intentional and unintentional errors. Our objective was to reduce unintentional errors associated with lack of knowledge.
In a randomised trial we sent reminder letters to self-employed entrepreneurs about their upcoming VAT filing date. Previously it was not common practice for the Hungarian tax administration to send large scale reminders before the due date.
The general objective of this project was to test the effectiveness of presented information to retail investors. The overall aim is that the information provided should be well understood by retail investors and allow them to compare and select among different investment products.