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One of the oldest American foundations, the Russell Sage Foundation was established by Mrs. Margaret Olivia Sage in 1907 for "the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States." In pursuit of this mission, the foundation now dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, knowledge, and theoretical core of the social sciences as a means of diagnosing social problems and improving social policies. The foundation's program on Social Inequality supports research on the social, economic, political, and labor market consequences of rising economic inequalities in the United States. The program seeks Letters of Inquiry for investigator-initiated research projects that will broaden current understanding of the causes and consequences of rising economic inequalities. Priority will be given to projects that use innovative data or methodologies to address important questions about inequality. Examples of the kinds of topics that are of interest include, but are not limited to, economic well-being, equality of opportunity, and intergenerational mobility; the political process and the resulting policies; psychological and/or cultural change; education; labor markets; child development and child outcomes; neighborhoods and communities; families, family structure, and family formation; and other forms of inequality.

The Max-Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity, Department of Religious Diversity in Göttingen is offering The Ph.D. fellowships are for 3-4 years. The dissertation will be defended at Utrecht University. The postdoctoral fellowships are for one or two years. The research will be done in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in China at Minzu University in Beijing. The projects have to be on the following topics: 1. Study of the relations between Yi and Miao in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Vietnam 2. Study of the effects on ethnic minorities of the opening up of S.W. China to S.E. Asia 3. Social networks beyond ethnicity in China: Case study of the classmates and alumni of Minzu Requirements: For Postdoc: Ph.D. in Social /Cultural Anthropology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Political Science or other related disciplines of the Social Sciences or Humanities. Fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese is expected. For Ph.D. candidates: MA in Social /Cultural Anthropology, Religious Studies, Sociology, Political Science or other related disciplines of the Social Sciences or Humanities. Fluency in English and Mandarin Chinese is expected.

One of the oldest foundations in America, the Russell Sage Foundation was established by Margaret Olivia Sage in 1907 for "the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States." In its early years, the foundation undertook major projects in low-income housing, urban planning, social work, and labor reform. The foundation now dedicates itself exclusively to strengthening the methods, data, and theoretical core of the social sciences as a means of diagnosing social problems and improving social policies.

The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Office of Assistance Coordination (NEA/AC) announces a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) aimed at promoting social and private entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region by partnering with its Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) alumni. Alumni networks can be effective social networks that generate both a higher level of interaction and longer-lived relationships, and ultimately improve social and private entrepreneurial performance by at least 8% more than other non-connected initiatives, according to a 2010 Harvard Business Review study. The corporate world is realizing that treating ex-employees as “alumni” increases referrals, client business, as well as advice and input on internal issues and job leads. MEPI aims to apply these lessons in its new initiative aimed at enhancing its alumni relations in order to sustain its social and business entrepreneurship efforts in the region. Problem Statement Since 2002,

Social connections can help us thrive. But too many people feel disconnected from society and from life, and that contributes to a host of physical, mental and emotional health problems. School children, teens, new mothers, immigrants, LGBT people, people living in remote areas, even millennials with thousands of Facebook friends, often feel excluded or like they don't belong. We want to learn about solutions that have worked in other countries to address social isolation across all ages and life stages, so that we can strengthen social connection in the United States. RWJF is looking for applicants who represent organizations from a wide range of fields and disciplines-both within and outside the health sector. We encourage proposals from both U.S.-based applicants to adapt an overseas idea, and from international applicants with ideas that could work in the United States. We encourage submissions from teams that include both U.S. and international members. We seek to attract diversity of thought, professional background, race, ethnicity, and cultural perspective in our applicant pool. Building a Culture of Health means integrating health into all aspects of society, so we encourage multisector partnerships and collaboration.

The Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of approximately $4 million total costs for up to two cooperative agreements of up to $2 million total costs each to fund technical assistance project(s) in two different countries to improve implementation of social compliance systems that promote acceptable conditions of work and the elimination of child labor and forced labor in coffee supply chains. Each cooperative agreement will fund a project in one of the following countries in the Latin America/Caribbean region, where DOL's List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor (TVPRA List) documents child labor and/or forced labor concerns: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, or Nicaragua. Project outcomes include: 1) Adoption of a robust and sustainable social compliance system by private sector stakeholders in coffee supply chains; 2) Strengthened capacity of private sector stakeholders to implement a robust and sustainable social compliance system in coffee supply chains; and 3) New social compliance tools on child labor, forced labor, and acceptable conditions of work piloted in the coffee supply chain. The duration of the project will be a maximum of 4 years (48 months) from the effective date of the award. Applicants may apply for one or two of the cooperative agreements listed above. No more than two applications per applicant will be accepted. If applying for two cooperative agreements, applicants should not combine countries in a single application, but must submit separate applications for each country. Each application should request no more than $2 million total costs in funding.

The Research Group "Alternatives to Democracy? The Social Order of Dictatorships" examines the question how dictatorial regimes - despite their inherent destructivity and repressive violence - create new orders of the political and the social that appeal to populations at large. The cases of pre-War Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union under Nikita Khrushchev, and Spain during the Franco era will serve as fields of inquiry to address the following questions: Which are the pre-conditions that give rise to dictatorships? When are they seen as an appealing way out of political, social, and economic disruption? How are dictatorial regimes able to generate legitimacy? What kind of stability do they create on the backdrop of crisis, insecurity, and disorder? Essential Duties & Responsibilities: We expect successful candidates to conduct extensive archival research in one of the countries under consideration. Each successful applicant will closely co-operate with the team of organizers of the Research Group: Brigit Aschmann (Chair of Modern European and Spanish History), Jörg Baberowski (Chair of Russian and Soviet History) and Michael Wildt (Chair of German History). Successful applicants are expected to write and defend a dissertation. In their research, they are asked to address and discuss conceptual questions of comparative history, including the comparison of modern dictatorial regimes.

The Social Science Research Council and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership have announced that applications are now open for the Abe Fellowship for Journalists. The fellowship is designed to encourage in-depth coverage of topics of pressing concern to the United States and Japan through individual short-term policy-related projects. Applicants are invited to submit proposals on one of four themes. 1) Threats to Personal, Societal, and International Security: Topics may include food, water, and energy insecurity; pandemics; climate change; disaster preparedness, prevention, and recovery; and conflict, terrorism, and cyber security. 2) Growth and Sustainable Development: Topics may include global financial stability, trade imbalances and agreements, adjustment to globalization, climate change and adaptation, and poverty and inequality. 3) Social, Scientific, and Cultural Trends and Transformations: Topics may include aging and other demographic change, the benefits and dangers of reproductive genetics, gender and social exclusion, expansion of STEM education among women and underrepresented populations, migration, rural depopulation and urbanization, impacts of automation on jobs, poverty and inequality, and community resilience. 4) Governance, Empowerment, and Participation: Topics may include challenges to democratic institutions, participatory governance, human rights, the changing role of NGO/NPOs, the rise of new media, and government roles in fostering innovation.

MOVO will be a five-year regional messaging and communication effort that leverages both traditional and new media to counter violent extremism and promote democracy, human rights and governance. MOVO will aim to form lasting partnerships to amplify moderate voices in communities as well as national and regional networks and institutions. MOVO will use a strategic information campaigns to tackle difficult, long-standing issues critical to VE vulnerability as well as to respond directly to events and hot topics. MOVO will integrate with other USG CVE and messaging efforts, such as State and USAID-funded programs, Public Affairs Sections and Military Information Support Teams (MIST) in the region. With regard to mediums of information exchange, MOVO will strengthen and expand existing PDev II radio networks and programming, continuing to invest in the medium most easily accessible to rural communities at-risk. However, MOVO will also produce targeted video content in targeted countries that is easily sharable and of most interest to target demographics. Mobile platforms that leverage feature phones have proved wildly popular and are useful in engaging rural audiences. Social media offers exciting new opportunities to connect with target audiences. However, poor internet penetration in target areas and among target demographics may limit the applicability of the medium. MOVO will expand its emphasis on social media in a measured, iterative manner that builds on effective, cost-efficient approaches. To the extent possible, all content will be cross-promoted across radio, video, mobile and social media to increase dissemination and build audiences across demographics and platforms.

Thematic areas for 2017 include social support and protection of citizens; protection of flora and fauna; promotion of animal welfare; promotion of philanthropy and voluntarism; youth development; public health and promotion of healthy lifestyles; preservation of cultural identities and language; adaptation of migrants; medical and social rehabilitation; and promotion of economic and labor mobility.

To advance this mission, SEE is accepting applications for its Independent Professionals Project Initiative. Through the initiative, grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded to independent social initiatives designed to establish or strengthen collaboration between Russians and Americans across SEE's socially oriented thematic areas.

Issuance Date: 3 February, 2015RFA Clarification Questions Due: 19 February, 2015; 1600 Closing Date and Time for Application Submission: 12 March, 2015; 1600 Addis Ababa Local Time Subject: Request for Applications (RFA) Number: USAID-Ethiopia- RFA-663-15-000006 RFA Title: Social and Behavior Change Communication for Health (SBCC- Health Project) EthiopiaLadies and Gentlemen: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for Assistance Agreements from all U.S. and non-U.S. qualified organizations (other than those from foreign policy restricted countries) for funding to support a program entitled Social and Behavior Change Communication for Health (SBCC- Health Project) Ethiopia. The overall goal of the program is to build the capacity of Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) with regards to SBCC interventions while also developing effective messages and coordinating SBCC messaging across stakeholders. The authority for the RFA is found in the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and the Grants and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977. While for-profit firms may participate, pursuant to 22 CFR 226.81, it is USAID policy not to award profit under assistance instruments such as cooperative agreements. However, all reasonable, allocable, and allowable expenses, both direct and indirect, which are related to the grant program and are in accordance with applicable cost standards (22 CFR 226, OMB Circular A-122 for non-profit organization, OMB Circular A-21 for universities, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 31 for-profit organizations), may be paid under the Cooperative Agreement.USAID expects to award one Cooperative Agreement based on this RFA. Subject to the availability of funds, USAID intends to allocate approximately $22.2 million funding to be allocated over a Five (5) year period. USAID reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.The Government of Ethiopia laws require prior regist

To partner with the U.S. Consulate Mumbai to implement a public-private partnership (PPP) project that links American and Indian businesses' CSR programs with social entrepreneurs in western India in order to promote innovative and sustainable technological solutions to overcome social and developmental challenges. The selected grantee will work closely with PAS Mumbai to develop PPPs with American and Indian businesses with CSR resources and to organize a contest to solicit proposals of innovative and sustainable entrepreneurial projects that address developmental challenges in five categories; organize the review and selection of the top 10 proposals; conduct a training/mentoring workshop for the shortlisted projects; organize and manage a public finale event at which the 10 short-listed projects will be pitched to a jury panel and one winner is chosen in each category; and track and report on the five winning projects funded through the PPP for up to six months from the disbursement of funds. (Please refer to the full announcement available under related documents tab.)

The Fellowship Program for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan is a joint activity of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Awards support research on modern Japanese society and political economy, Japan's international relations, and U.S.-Japan relations. The program encourages innovative research that puts these subjects in wider regional and global contexts and is comparative and contemporary in nature. Research should contribute to scholarly knowledge or to the general public's understanding of issues of concern to Japan and the United States. Appropriate disciplines for the research include anthropology, economics, geography, history, international relations, linguistics, political science, psychology, public administration, and sociology. Awards usually result in articles, monographs, books, digital materials, archaeological site reports, translations, editions, or other scholarly resources.

The Rockefeller Foundation is accepting proposals from public or private organizations working to foster an "impact" economy in East and Southeast Asia by aiding the growth of the impact investing industry and social enterprise sector. The goal of the East and Southeast Impact Economy Innovations Fund is to spur collective action and regional market development that will accelerate market-driven solutions for advancing social and charitable goals such as alleviating poverty and promoting sustainable development.

In support of U.S. Department of State foreign policy objectives, the FY 2016 Communities Connecting Heritage program is an international people-to-people exchange program that engages communities and empowers people through the exploration of cultural heritage issues. The program brings together U.S. and international communities, especially youth, women, ethnic minorities and other underserved groups, through collaborative exchange projects that focus on cultural heritage and may also include social issues, such as social inclusion, interfaith tolerance, women's empowerment, and/or youth development. The program will include six to eight international exchange projects that develop and showcase new partnerships between U.S. and foreign cultural organizations and the communities they serve, while advancing cultural heritage through community outreach and public education.

The Fellowships for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan program is a joint activity of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Awards support research on modern Japanese society and political economy, Japan's international relations, and U.S.-Japan relations. The program encourages innovative research that puts these subjects in wider regional and global contexts and is comparative and contemporary in nature. Research should contribute to scholarly knowledge or to the general public's understanding of issues of concern to Japan and the United States.

The Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE) of the NSF and Research Councils UK (RCUK) are pleased to announce the SBE-RCUK Lead Agency Agreement. The goal of this agreement is to reduce some of the barriers to working internationally that researchers currently encounter. The SBE-RCUK Lead Agency Agreement will address these issues by allowing US and UK researchers to submit a single collaborative proposal that will undergo a single review process. Proposals will be accepted for collaborative research in areas at the intersection of NSF/SBE and RCUK's missions. The primary UK Research Councils participating in this activity are the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Proposers should review the programs supported through NSF/SBE and through the relevant UK Research Council(s) for further information on what areas of research are eligible for support through this activity. Proposals are expected to adhere to typical proposal sizes and durations for the relevant UK Research Council(s) and SBE program(s) from which funding is sought. Proposals will be accepted for both interdisciplinary and disciplinary research projects.

The Science of Science & Innovation Policy (SciSIP) program supports research designed to advance the scientific basis of science and innovation policy. Research funded by the program thus develops, improves and expands models, analytical tools, data and metrics that can be applied in the science policy decision making process. For example, research proposals may develop behavioral and analytical conceptualizations, frameworks or models that have applications across a broad array of SciSIP challenges, including the relationship between broader participation and innovation or creativity. Proposals may also develop methodologies to analyze science and technology data, and to convey the information to a variety of audiences. Researchers are also encouraged to create or improve science and engineering data, metrics and indicators reflecting current discovery, particularly proposals that demonstrate the viability of collecting and analyzing data on knowledge generation and innovation in organizations. Among the many research topics supported are:examinations of the ways in which the contexts, structures and processes of science and engineering research are affected by policy decision, the evaluation of the tangible and intangible returns from investments in science and from investments in research and development, the study of structures and processes that facilitate the development of usable knowledge, theories of creative processes and their transformation into social and economic outcomes, the collection, analysis and visualization of new data describing the scientific and engineering enterprise. The SciSIP program invites the participation of researchers from all of the social, behavioral and economic sciences as well as those working in domain-specific applications such as chemistry, biology, physics, or nanotechnology. The program welcomes proposals for individual or multi-investigator research projects, doctoral dissertation improvement awards, conferences, wo

USAID/Yemen intends in the near future to issue a solicitation for a program(s) to mitigate conflict, strengthen social cohesion, promote the peaceful resolution of differences while capitalizing on stabilization opportunities in Yemen. USAID will seek innovative and flexible methodologies through co-creation and collaboration to support learning and small-scale activities that strengthen the ability of local institutions and organizations to serve as neutral arbitrators and meet citizen's needs in ways that mitigate the conflict, strengthen social cohesion and promote the peaceful resolution of differences while capitalizing on stabilization opportunities. USAID believes critical to the success of this program is the implementation of regular and iterative conflict analysis, using this information to learn and adapt designed community-based, capacity building and conflict mitigation initiatives. USAID also believes broadening the capacity of Yemeni civil society to conduct these types of identified interventions as well as partnering with government bodies to identify and address community priority needs is integral to this work. Activities will need to be conducted in areas where implementing partners and third party monitoring and verification mechanisms have access and the ability to operate.