Register Now for the SBCA Annual Conference – March 13-14, 2025!

Don’t wait—secure your spot today for the premier event in benefit-cost analysis. Join professionals from around the globe at the George Washington University Student Center in Washington, DC, to explore the latest research, connect with thought leaders, and tackle emerging challenges in the field. Space is limited—register now to ensure you don’t miss out on this unparalleled opportunity! Learn more>>

The Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis (SBCA) works to improve the theory and practice of benefit-cost analysis and support evidence-based policy decisions. SBCA's global membership includes scholars and practitioners from government, academia, nonprofits and private industry, representing a variety of disciplines, such as economics, law, engineering, public policy, decision science and natural science. SBCA addresses a wide range of policy areas: criminal justice, education, energy, environmental quality, homeland security, poverty, public health, transportation and many others. Society members work with a broad set of methods, including benefit-cost analysis, cost-effectiveness analysis, risk-benefit analysis, applied welfare economic analysis and damage assessments.

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Upcoming Events

Wed Jan 15, 2025Benefit-Cost Analysis for Beginners

Category: SBCA Workshops

Wed Mar 12, 2025Benefit-Cost Analysis for U.S. Regulations (co‐sponsored by the Society for Risk Analysis)

Category: SBCA Workshops

Thu Nov 13, 2025Association for Public Policy and Management (APPAM) 2025 Fall Research Conference

Category: Other Events

Sat Jan 3, 2026ASSA 2026 Annual Meeting

Category: Other Events

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Announcements

Latest Blog Posts

In honor of Dr. Richard O. Zerbe, the Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis is publishing a highlight series celebrating his remarkable contributions to the field. As a founding member and past president of the Society, Dr. Zerbe’s work has shaped benefit-cost analysis (BCA) by advancing its theoretical and ethical frameworks and championing its integration into public policy and decision-making. His efforts have also expanded BCA’s role in addressing today’s complex societal needs. His influence has inspired generations of scholars and practitioners to view BCA not just as a tool for economic outcomes but as a means of promoting equity, social justice, and sustainability. Read more>>

Southern Economic Association

Attendees at the 94th Annual Meeting of the Southern Economic Association (November 23-25, 2024, in Washington, DC) had the opportunity to attend a number of SBCA-organized sessions. Many thanks to our session organizers: Lisa A. Robinson (Harvard University); W. Kip Viscusi (Vanderbilt University); Deborah Vaughn Aiken (U.S. Department of Transportation) and Eliane Catilina (U.S. Department of Transportation); and Don Kenkel (Cornell University). View sessions here.

JBCA Special Issue on Circular A-4 Comments

SBCA has been working closely with the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis (JBCA) on a special issue featuring comments on the Biden administration's revised Circular A-4. These comments, submitted by former SBCA presidents, will be compiled into a special issue of the JBCA expected next year.

While the special issue is still in progress—due to delays at Cambridge University Press—we are pleased to share these important papers in advance as working papers on the SBCA website. Each article includes both a prologue and epilogue alongside the original comments, reproduced as submitted. Please note that this collection is part of an ongoing JBCA project and will appear in a future issue, though we cannot yet confirm their "forthcoming" status.

Learn more here.

Members in the News

SBCA member Philippe Barla (Université Laval) recently produced a new cost-benefit analysis textbook in French that can be easily translated. This manual published under a CC.BY license is intended for people with basic knowledge of microeconomics and wishing to acquire the foundations of cost-benefit analysis (CBA). An English version can easily be obtained using Google translate. CBA corresponds to a set of practices derived from economic theory and aimed at evaluating the social profitability of a project or public policy. This decision-making tool is used by several international organizations as well as many governments. Learn more>>

Recent Job Postings

As a service to its members, SBCA publishes career listings on its website. Submit your opportunity>>