Research to Further Social Change

Posted by on July 25, 2011

Sociological Initiatives Foundation Offers Support for Research to Further Social Change
Deadline: August 15, 2011 (Concept Application)

The Sociological Initiatives Foundation was established to support research that furthers social change, including language learning and behavior and its intersection with social and policy questions.

The foundation specifically supports research in the U.S. and it territories that focuses on social policy objectives; institutional and educational practices; legislative and regulatory changes; linguistic issues (e.g., literacy, language loss and maintenance, language policy, language and national security, bilingualism, language and gender, language and law, language disabilities, language and health, language and education, different language cultures); and development of community capacity and organization of previously unorganized groups.

The foundation supports projects that address institutional rather than individual or behavioral change. It seeks to fund research and initiatives that provide insight into sociological and linguistic issues that may be useful to specific groups and or communities.

Grant amounts normally range from $10,000 to $20,000. The foundation seeks to fund projects that have an explicit research design and a concrete connection to public or community impact. The research ideally should build an organization or constituency’s potential to expand public knowledge, impact policy, and create social change. Preference is given to providing support in areas that tend to be under-funded and for projects of a size where a foundation grant can make a difference.

Examples of desired applicants include academic-community partnerships, advocacy or community groups that conduct research that can withstand challenge in academic and policy arenas, and academics who organize or link to a constituency through their research. Grants are restricted to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, academic institutions, and other qualified organizations wishing to sponsor research projects by individual scholars or practitioners. The foundation does not make grants directly to individuals, and does not award funds for dissertation research, honoraria, political purposes, or operating or capital expenses.

Visit the SIF Web site for complete program guidelines and online application instructions.

http://www.sifoundation.org/?page_id=10