SPPSI Call for Local- and State-Level Policy Work Grants Proposals - Due 10/1

[Announcement from SCRA-L]

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: LOCAL- AND STATE-LEVEL POLICY WORK GRANTS

Applications due October 1, 2016

The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) is pleased to invite proposals for grants to local- and state-level research/policy groups. SPSSI will fund up to three groups, at up to $2000 each, for one calendar year. If you are interested in this initiative but are not familiar with potential collaborators, please contact SPSSI Policy Director Sarah Mancoll, who can provide you with a list of SPSSI members in your area.
This initiative has three goals: 1) to influence policy at the local and state levels through applied research, 2) to increase the availability of policy opportunities for SPSSI members who are interested in applied research, and 3) to encourage younger scholars to become more involved in SPSSI. 
These groups will review existing research at the local and state levels on policy-relevant topics, conduct additional research as needed, and ultimately use this work to assist policy-makers in making data-driven decisions about local- and state-level issues.
To be eligible for an award, a group must meet the following criteria:

• The group must consist of a minimum of 3 social scientists who live in the same state or similar regionally-based jurisdiction outside of the United States.
• The members must live or be employed in the same regional jurisdiction so that they face common policy issues.
• SPSSI will give preference to groups that can meet in person but will consider groups that rely only on electronic communication (including virtual conferencing).
• The group members must be working on the same issue, broadly defined.
• The group must compellingly demonstrate that the members are interested in the policy applications of psychological science and other social science research.
• SPSSI will give preference to groups that demonstrate either existing policy expertise or the willingness to learn more about policy work at the local and state levels—i.e., members should have experience working with local or state agencies in helping to advance empirically-based decision-making or have a plan for how at least one member of the group will obtain this experience.

To apply for funding, the group should submit a short (3 to 5 page) proposal that:

• Addresses the criteria delineated above.
• Explains outcomes/deliverables (e.g., conduct policy related research, attend meetings with local policy makers, write a “white paper” on the policy issue, or plan to testify at legislative hearings).
• Provides a budget for the year (acceptable expenses include: funding for meetings, funding to conduct research to answer a policy question, funding to support students to conduct policy work, limited funding for materials and equipment).
• Specifies agreement to submit a presentation on the work to the 2017 SPSSI conference in Albuquerque.
• Delivers a summary of the work completed at the end of the grant period (January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017). Such a document may take the form of a 5-10 page summary of the work completed, a policy paper, a research report, or another suitable report.

Proposals will be evaluated by the SPSSI Policy Committee, Policy Director, and Local Policy Initiative Director (Secretary/Treasurer). There is a possibility of continued funding beyond 2017, depending on the groups’ progress and longer-term goals.

Proposals must be submitted by October 1, 2016 and will be reviewed by November 15, 2016.  Please submit proposals to the SPSSI Policy Director Sarah Mancoll.  


To learn more about this grant opportunity and to see examples of past projects supported through this program, visit the SPSSI Local- and State-Level Policy Work webpage.