Veterans Research

NORC conducts rigorous, representative research that reaches all Veterans, informing policies and programs that honor their service and improve lives.

Evidence-Based Research for Those Who Served

America’s 18 million Veterans have diverse experiences, challenges, and strengths—from post-9/11 wounded warriors navigating recovery to Vietnam-era Veterans managing long-term health conditions, from rural Veterans facing access barriers to those recently separated from military service navigating the transition to civilian life. Effective policies and programs require research that captures this complexity.

Why Partner with NORC for Veterans Research

NORC has decades of Veteran-related research expertise and a commitment to translating research into policy and service impact for Veterans and their families. We offer:

Comprehensive Capabilities: Our research capabilities include quantitative surveys, qualitative research, program evaluation, technical assistance delivery, and evaluation, enabling us to support an array of Veteran-related projects.
Methodological Excellence: Our address-based probability sampling ensures national representativeness and the generalizability of our findings. We are well-versed in using longitudinal and quasi-experimental to reach underrepresented Veteran populations and generate reliable and nuanced data.
Interdisciplinary Expertise: NORC’s subject matter expertise covers the breadth of Veteran concerns—from education and health care access to job opportunities and healthy aging—allowing us to take an integrated, holistic approach to Veteran-related research.
Policy Translation: We design our studies to inform policy and program decisions and have a proven track record of congressional and VA impact.
Trusted Partnership: NORC’s Veterans Employee Resource Group and our commitment to maximum research impact build trust with Veterans and the organizations that serve them.

Get in Touch

Have a project in mind? Fill out our quick start form to get a quote.

Start a Project

Our Veterans Insight Panel

In partnership with RAND Corporation, NORC has launched the Veterans Insight Panel (VIP)—a nationally representative panel of verified Veterans across all service branches, eras, and demographic groups.

This groundbreaking resource addresses a critical gap: most Veterans research focuses on those enrolled in VA programs, reaching only about half of the Veteran population. The Veterans Insight Panel supports:

Rapid, policy-relevant research on emerging issues affecting Veterans
Targeted studies of hard-to-reach populations, including women Veterans, rural Veterans, and those recently separated from military service
Both quantitative surveys and qualitative research through a trusted, pre-validated Veteran sample
Veteran-informed research design ensuring cultural competence and meaningful participation

Explore the Veterans Insight Panel

Proven Impact Across Critical Areas

NORC’s Veterans research spans the issues that matter most—from suicide prevention and behavioral health to rural access, employment, and long-term well-being—delivering findings that support Veterans across the nation.

Suicide Prevention & Mental Health

ASCEND for Veteran Suicide Prevention: A national surveillance study examining suicidal behaviors and ideation among Veterans both within and outside VA systems, providing the first comprehensive data on community-level risk and protective factors
SMVF Technical Assistance Center: The Center supports states and communities in implementing evidence-based crisis intervention strategies and suicide prevention protocols
Crisis Intercept Mapping: Helping jurisdictions identify and address gaps in Veteran crisis response systems

Post-9/11 Veteran Health & Well-Being

Annual Warrior Survey for the Wounded Warrior Project: A longitudinal survey tracking recovery, employment, and family outcomes for wounded post-9/11 Veterans, informing program development and policy advocacy
Military Sexual Trauma Research: Examining long-term impacts and support system effectiveness

Rural Veteran Access & Services

Walsh Center for Rural Health Analysis: Pioneering research on rural-urban health disparities among Veterans
VA Office of Rural Health: Contributing expertise to initial establishment and ongoing strategic planning
Rural Health Toolkits: Evidence-based resources helping communities address Veterans’ transportation, telehealth, and service coordination challenges