Call for Proposals: Research Partnerships on Critical Issues

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS ON CRITICAL ISSUES

To support collaborative research-based projects tackling critical public issues.

DEADLINE: January 13, 2023 at 12:00 midnight EDT.

The American Political Science Association seeks proposals from groups of members for collaborative, research-based projects that tackle critical public issues concerning the public.

Research Partnerships for Critical Issues grants have two central goals:

  1. To demonstrate the value of political science to the public and to policymaker through publicly-engaged research.
  2. To bring higher education-based political scientists into conversation with policy-oriented scholars and applied experts across ideological and geographic lines.

RPCI projects should:

  • Address pressing real world problems with aim of advancing the public good. Projects can address global, national, or local issues (examples might include: cooperation on climate change or controlling the spread of nuclear weapons, political engagement and apathy, social consequences of automation, water management, education issues, immigration, issues around health care, criminal justice issues, and much more).
  • Bring together experts with divergent ideological orientations, perspectives, and/or methodological approaches to deepen our understanding and suggest ways forward on areas where debate is stagnant and/or polarized.
  • Share their research and findings with policy makers, stakeholders, and the general public.
  • Address topics on which political scientists have something distinctive to offer.

Application Information

RPCI applications must include the following components:

  • Cover page (1-page single-spaced maximum) that includes:
    1. Project title
    2. Total budget request
    3. PI names and APSA numbers (where applicable)
    4. Brief description of project
    5. List of team members from academic institutions and applied experts/practitioners.
  • Project Proposal (3-page single-spaced maximum) including identification of issue, project goals, plans, and deliverables, and a discussion of how the proposed work will reflect the diversity of communities affected by the issue and the diversity of our profession.
  • Line-item budget (1-page maximum)
  • Optional:
    1. Letter(s) of support from collaborative institutions (e.g., agreement of a university, college, association, think tank, NGO, etc. to collaborate, provide virtual or physical space for meetings or to help disseminate reports and related materials.
    2. Letter(s) identifying any additional in-kind contributions from any collaborative institutions.

We are especially interested in projects that assemble a team of experts from across ideological divides to seek an evidence-based solution to a pressing issue that can appeal to a broad spectrum of policymakers. While we are open to all proposals, we will prioritize proposals that offer a way forward on issues where debate has become polarized when deciding on awards

For more information on these components, please view our full application guidelines at: https://connect.apsanet.org/centennialcenter/research-partnerships-for-critical-issues/

Award Timeline and Further Guidance: Complete applications received by the January 13, 2023 deadline will be reviewed by the end of February and we expect to notify applicants of award decisions then. All grants made will be subject to the same terms and conditions of APSA grants administered through the Centennial Center, including the following requirements:

All grants made will be subject to the same terms and conditions of APSA grants administered through the Centennial Center.

  • APSA membership for all PI’s must be active for the duration of the grant period, normally 12 months.
  • Grant funds may be used for direct costs in support of the described projects, such as technology needs, staff or RA support, food and/or per diems, and honoraria for participants.
  • Grant funds may not be used for indirect or overhead costs.
  • At the time that grants are made, a timeline for fund use will be agreed upon. Normally, grants are for a period of 12 months with the option of a 6-month extension, as needed and if requested prior to the expiry of the grant.
  • Grants must be accepted and administered by the home institution of a project PI. If you would like to apply but do not have an institution willing to administer funds, please get in touch with the Centennial Center staff (see below).

Budget:

The maximum allowed funding request is $20,000.

To apply, please review our application guidelines, prepare the required components (listed above) and complete the application form.

Apply here


Questions?
Please get in touch with any questions or for more information! Contact the Centennial Center at centennial@apsanet.org.