Democracy Renewal Project – Jan 17

Posted by Public Agenda on December 12, 2023

Public Agenda issues Democracy Renewal Project 2023 request for proposals

Public Agenda aims to amplify the public voice for an informed and inclusive democracy.

The organization has requested proposals for its inaugural Democracy Renewal Project grantmaking cycle. According to Public Agenda, Americans across the political spectrum believe that our democracy is at risk, and a growing body of evidence shows that citizens with disparate political perspectives share a sense of frustration and dissatisfaction with our current system. In response, organizations and philanthropists are pursuing innovations to strengthen American democracy.

Through this RFP, Public Agenda aims to support this movement to renew democracy with evidence on achieving full access to electoral participation for all citizens while strengthening trust and confidence in elections. Preference will be given to projects that have a strong potential to produce evidence that can inform the work of practitioners, advocates, policymakers, and funders. Projects with results that can provide immediate (post-2024 election) practical guidance for advocates and activists, policymakers, and funders in decision-making about reforms, practices, and strategies for pursuing them will be prioritized.

Public Agenda does not support any candidate or party. As a matter of mission, Public Agenda does not seek to advance any specific political ideology or policy agenda. Projects should contribute to the health and strength of a pluralistic democracy.

Through this RFP, Public Agenda expects to award 10 or more grants of up to $50,000.

The program is open to researchers affiliated with public or nonprofit U.S. universities, and the affiliated university must administer the grant. A proposed project’s principal investigator (PI) must have a doctoral-level degree. Doctoral candidates may be part of the research team and be named co-PIs if at least one co-PI has a doctoral degree.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Public Agenda website.

Deadline: January 17, 2024