Notre Dame Democracy Initiative announces funding opportunity

Golden Dome with American flag and Notre Dame flag

The Notre Dame Democracy Initiative, a key component of the University’s strategic framework, has launched an internal grant opportunity to support new research, formation, and convening projects on campus that further the study and strengthening of democracy.

Democracy Catalyst Grants will support any recognized unit within the Notre Dame community creating new projects that closely align with the mission of the Democracy Initiative, including thematic areas of Democracy & Culture, Democratic Institutions, and Democracy & Religion. This can include research projects, programming and events, and new course development.

Project funding requests can range from $5,000 to $50,000 and can be for up to three years. Read more about this funding opportunity, eligibility, and instructions for applying. The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, Oct. 18.

The Democracy Catalyst Fund is explicitly aimed at catalyzing new areas of inquiry or programming. Examples of the types of projects funded include:

Research

Data gathering and field work (all levels of scholarship)
Research assistants (both graduate and undergraduate)
Surveys and experiments
Graduate research projects (e.g. dissertation grants, thesis fieldwork)
Seed funding for larger grant-funded projects

Education and Formation

Course development (limited to $5,000)
Student club or residence hall support for events/speakers/programming
Graduate student stipend enhancements for newly admitted students (Department applicants only)
Graduate student research cohorts/reading/writing groups around themes related to democracy studies

Harvard University social scientist Robert Putnam, center, engages in a conversation with Notre Dame professors David Campbell and Jaimie Bleck at an event that was part of the 2023-24 Notre Dame Forum on the future of democracy.

Convenings

Workshops
Conferences
Speaker Honoraria

"Civil, nonpartisan, rigorous scholarship on democracy is a part of our institutional DNA here at Notre Dame," said Democracy Initiative Director David Campbell, the Packey J. Dee Professor of American Democracy. "We boast dozens of programs, centers, and faculty working on issues related to democratic culture, democratic institutions, or religion and democracy, truly making Notre Dame distinct in higher education.

"At this moment in global democratic backsliding, skepticism of democratic pluralism, and fragile checks on executive powers, the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative is a profound investment in practical solutions to restore faith in self-government. We will accomplish this through investing in the most advanced research programs, recruiting world-leading faculty, developing students for public service, and elevating Notre Dame as the premier location for convenings and policy conversations."

Learn more about the Notre Dame Democracy Initiative at go.nd.edu/democracy.

Originally published by Strategic Framework News at strategicframework.nd.edu on September 03, 2024.