OARS funding Political Science

To support investigative journalism on the topic of corruption, corruption proceeds, and illicit financial transactions (i.e. money laundering) of such proceeds, the U.S. Department of State has allocated $500,000 in FY 2017 International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds to this grant opportunity. Foreign assistance will support work in at least two of four target countries in the region (Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, and Peru) to support investigative capacity building and awareness-raising between journalists and law enforcement, where possible. These countries may serve as a pilot for future programming.

In 2014, the Bureau for African Affairs (AF) and INL agreed to assist CAR's transitional government in re-establishing the country's criminal justice system, which was devastated during the destabilizing violence. CAR is among AF's top foreign assistance priorities in sub-Saharan Africa, and INL assistance seeks to re-establish functioning law enforcement and criminal justice institutions, and expand those institution's capacity to protect, serve, and provide justice to all CAR citizens across sectarian-lines, while upholding human rights and increasing public trust. Pending funding availability and other required approvals, this project will seek to continue INL's efforts to build the capacity of CAR's judicial institutions, with an emphasis on addressing atrocities, war crimes, and conflict related crimes.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, is pleased to announce an open competition for eligible U.S. institutions of higher education to submit applications to carry out a program designed to enhance and broaden the professional skills of Afghan junior faculty in various fields of study and provide insight into the American system of higher education. The program will offer entry-level professors and administrators at Afghan universities the opportunity to participate in non-degree professional development activities directly related to their professional responsibilities.

Grants of up to $125,000 for up to eighteen months will be awarded to projects that directly improve or, in the case of research-oriented projects, develop data, facts, or conclusions that further the understanding of improving access to legal education for students from diverse backgrounds; increasing the affordability and financing options for students pursuing legal education; and enhancing the value and relevance of legal education.

The National Academy of Education advances high-quality education research and its use in policy formation and practice. Founded in 1965, the academy comprises United States members and foreign associates who are elected on the basis of outstanding scholarship related to education. Since its establishment, NAEd has undertaken research studies that address pressing issues in education typically conducted by members and other scholars with relevant expertise.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation awards grants of up to $2,200 each in support of research in the archival collections of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, part of the system of Presidential Libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration.  The collections are rich on U.S. government domestic policies, diplomacy, and national political affairs in the 1970s.  A grant helps defray the travel and living expenses of a research trip to the Ford Library.

INL is building the capacity of law enforcement personnel through training, technical assistance, and mentoring, among other activities. INL supports the travel of host-nation personnel to attend trainings in other countries and in other parts of Haiti, furthering sharing of best practices. In support of this capacity-building work, and to accelerate implementation of training through travel, INL seeks to award a cooperative agreement for capacity-building training that includes a travel element. The applicant shall be responsible for working with the INL office in Haiti in planning and scheduling all events, including but not limited to travel and logistic services for trainings, meetings, conferences, site visits and workshops in support of INL programs carried out by the INL Office in Haiti.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support the research, development, and implementation of secure human rights (HR) documentation solutions. In support of the 2017 National Security Strategy, DRL's goal is to promote accountability for perpetrators of genocide and mass atrocity. Further, in support of the U.S. government's policy to "promote an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure internet that fosters efficiency, innovation, communication, and economic prosperity, while respecting privacy and guarding against disruption, fraud, and theft," as described in E.O. 13800, DRL supports the development of secure communications tools and platforms, as well as digital safety training. These goals will be advanced through research, development, and implementation of secure human rights documentation solutions. DRL invites organizations interested in potential funding to submit proposals outlining program concepts that reflect this goal.

The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations is accepting proposals from non-Unitarian Universalist groups in the U.S. and Canada for community organizing campaigns aimed at creating systemic change in the economic, social, and political structures that affect the lives of those who have been excluded from resources, power, and the right to determination. Through the Fund for a Just Society, UUAC supports projects that are less likely to receive conventional funding because of the innovative or challenging nature of the work or the economic and social status of the constituency. UUAC does not fund social services, educational programs, or advocacy projects. Grants are not awarded for the purposes of re-granting, equipment, capital campaigns, politically partisan efforts, educational institutions, medical or scientific research, or cultural programs. The organization will consider the funding of films, publications, or curricula if they are an integral part of a strategy of collective action for social change. UUAC does not fund individuals.

The U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program. This annual notice of funding opportunities outlines our funding priorities and areas of interest, as well as procedures for submitting requests for funding. Please note that this notice supplements specific notices of funding opportunities that may be posted both here and on other relevant sites throughout the year. Any organization interested in applying for funding should carefully follow all instructions below.

The American Educational Research Association is accepting applications for its AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship in Education Research. The annual program provides support for doctoral dissertation research, to advance education research by outstanding minority graduate students, and to improve the quality and diversity of university faculties. The fellowship offers doctoral fellowships to enhance the competitiveness of outstanding minority scholars for academic appointments at major research universities. It supports fellows conducting education research and provides mentoring and guidance toward the completion of their doctoral studies. The dissertation study should focus on an education research topic such as high-stakes testing; ethnic studies/curriculum; tracking; STEM development; measurement of achievement and opportunity gaps; English-language learners; or bullying and restorative justice. Applicants can come from graduate programs and departments in education research, the humanities, or social or behavioral science disciplinary or interdisciplinary fields such as economics, political science, psychology, or sociology.

The Law & Social Sciences Program considers proposals that address social scientific studies of law and law-like systems of rules. The Program is inherently interdisciplinary and multi-methodological. Successful proposals describe research that advances scientific theory and understanding of the connections between law or legal processes and human behavior. Social scientific studies of law often approach law as dynamic, made in multiple arenas, with the participation of multiple actors. Fields of study include many disciplines, and often address problems including though not limited to:

Purpose of Small Grants: PAS Bamako invites proposals for programs that strengthen cultural ties between the U.S. and Mali through cultural and exchange programming that highlights shared values and promotes bilateral cooperation. All programs must advance a U.S. Mission goal, include an American cultural element, or have a connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives.

Topic 1: Sociopolitical (In)Stability, Resilience, and Recovery Topic 2: Economic Interdependence and Security Topic 3: Alliances and Burden Sharing Topic 4: Fundamental Dynamics of Scientific Discovery Topic 5: Adversarial Information Campaigns Topic 6: Automated Cyber Vulnerability Analysis Topic 7: Power, Deterrence, Influence, and Escalation Management for Shaping Operations Topic 8: Security Risks in Ungoverned & Semi-Governed Spaces

The U.S. Mission in Iraq announces an open competition for eligible organizations to submit proposals to develop and implement the English Access Microscholarship Program for Kirkuk and Tikrit. Public Affairs Office (PA) seeks to provide Iraqi youth with educational opportunities through English-language instruction in accordance with Mission Iraq goals. The English Access Microscholarship Program for Kirkuk and Tikrit will provide a foundation of English language skills to economically disadvantaged, demographically diverse, 13 to 16 year-old students through after-school or weekend classes and intensive summer activities over a two-year period. Access Program students also gain an appreciation for American culture and democratic values, increase their ability to participate successfully in the socio-economic development of their countries, and gain the ability to compete for and participate in future U.S. Government-sponsored educational programs. Subject to the availability of funds, the Embassy expects to award a grant up to $193,000 to carry out the English Access Microscholarship Program for Kirkuk and Tikrit over a twenty-four month time frame.

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China is pleased to announce an open competition for assistance awards through this Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO). PAS invites proposals for conducting exchange programs that will provide Chinese audiences with the opportunity to experience and understand U.S. culture, society, government and art. PAS will generally award multiple grants for up to US$50,000 per grant, but will consider grants for up to US$150,000 for programs that address concerns about regional security and nuclear proliferation, advocate for free, fair, and reciprocal trade and investment policies, or promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The United States Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, acting through the Office of Public Affairs, is pleased to announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the "Night at the Museum" Civic Education Program which promotes awareness of joint cultural heritage and appreciation for museums as places of learning in BiH. Proposals should include a series of events, activities at three or more major museums in the country, and overnight stays for youth at those museums. Applicants should include in the program at a minimum the National Museum of BiH, the Fojnica Franciscan Monastery Museum, and one of the major museums in Republika Srpska, for no less than 400 students from different ethnic groups across the country. These youth participants will work together at each museum. Programs should be innovative, bring together youth (ages 12-24) from communities across ethnic, geographic, and administrative lines, and engage participants in follow-up community improvement activities. Priority will be given to applications which engage youth who have not yet had access to programs funded by the U.S. government. A detailed budget should be expressed in USD, with a maximum amount of $50,000.

INL is seeking applications from qualified organizations to implement the following grant project in Nicaragua. The project aims to improve transparency and accountability in Nicaragua by strengthening local organizations to better track and report on crime and corruption (to include domestic and transnational organized crime).

The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to counter Democratic People's Republic of Korea -DPRK's and Iran's activities in North Africa, which could contribute toward the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMD)

This award will support efforts in at two or three of five target countries (select among: Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Armenia, and Montenegro) to identify priority substantive anti-corruption measures and assist in implementation of related reform actions. The substantive measures will be determined in reference to the countries' commitments in the context of relevant international standards, and to the recommendations of the peer review bodies associated with those standards. Several anti-corruption mechanisms and fora promote action on these standards by facilitating peer reviews, resulting in recommendations for reform, or by generating country commitments. Exemplar mechanisms and fora include UNCAC and GRECO (primary) and the Anti-Bribery Convention, Istanbul Action Plan, Open Government Partnership, and related policy (secondary). Each of the target countries has engaged in at least one of these entities and has received recommendations or made commitments to address corruption in various ways. INL intends for this project to initiate a multi-stakeholder process in each country selected for this project to prioritize two to three peer review body recommendations addressed to - or political commitments made by -- the country. The project should then support the development of action plans and targeted follow-up action (i.e. technical assistance, advocacy, and coordination) to help governments implement the action plans. Suggested focus areas in which to develop priorities, action plans, and follow-up measures could include judicial integrity/independence, criminalizing and enforcing foreign bribery, transparency of party funding and electoral campaigns, law enforcement reforms, and public procurement fraud and corruption. Supporting action in these areas would aid the criminal justice sector and civil society in making tangible steps to adopt laws, policies, or procedures that either prevent or combat corruption.