Social Science Research Council

The Sexuality Research Fellowship is pleased to announce the 2005-2006 Postdoctoral Fellowships on Sexuality and Policy.

With support from the Ford Foundation Education, Sexuality, Religion unit, in recognition of its 10th and final year of providing fellowship support, the SRFP will be awarding postdoctoral fellowships to outstanding scholars and other professionals working in a variety of settings, whose research in sexuality focuses on policy analysis, policy development and/or implementation that is relevant to local, state, or national concerns. No dissertation fellowships will be awarded.

The 2005-2006 competition will target more advanced sexuality scholars and practitioners as demonstrated by academic/administrative position, publication record and research experience. More junior scholars demonstrating sufficient research experience are eligible to apply. Prior direct policy experience is not required.

PROGRAM GOALS

The SRFP seeks to promote research collaboration, strengthen research networks, and encourage a wide dissemination of research findings. Both within and outside of academia, the SRFP endeavors to forge new links between sexuality research and policy arenas; promote research efforts designed to ensure effective application of sexuality research to local, state, and national policy issues; endorse an increased inclusion of sexuality issues in current policy work; and encourage researchers to engage in meaningful research on policy-related issues as an integral part of their professional and academic careers.

FOCUS

Applicants are encouraged to submit research proposals that seek to investigate a wide range of sexuality topics as conceptualized by their respective disciplines or fields.

With relevance to policy analysis, policy development and/or implementation, topics may include (but are not limited to):

Applications are invited from a wide range of disciplines and fields including but not limited to: anthropology, demography, economics, education, history, law, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, public health, public policy, and sociology, in addition to various interdisciplinary programs, such as sociomedical sciences, jurisprudence and social policy, or American, ethnic, family, labor, media, and urban studies. Applications from biomedical or other fields outside of the social sciences are welcome provided that the research plan is grounded in social science theory and methodology. Awarded Fellows are expected to conduct their research from their own institutional base, either at an educational or research organization/institution.

ELIGIBILITY

The competition is open to scholars who already hold the Ph.D. or its equivalent from an accredited United States or foreign university at the time of the application deadline. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate commitment to human sexuality research as evidenced by publications, presentations at scientific meetings, and memberships in professional associations. In order to ensure a diverse pool, applicants must have received the Ph.D. degree no more than 10 years prior to the date of the deadline submission and cannot already be tenured, although they can occupy at the time of applying a tenure track position. Any postdoctoral applicant considering use of sabbatical or unpaid leave from a university position should call the Program Director. Policymakers, advocates, service providers, and program administrators who conduct research in various settings-such as business, federal/state government, and community settings-are also invited to apply. Research must be conducted in the United States and should be domestic to the United States in focus. All historical and cross-cultural research must demonstrate its contribution and relevance to scholarship on sexuality in the United States.

RESEARCH CONSULTANT

Fellows should submit applications in partnership with another scholar/professional who will function in the advisory capacity of Research Consultant. The Research Consultant will provide substantive expertise to the Fellow in specific areas of research methodology/ design and/or policy, and provide overall assistance and advice in carrying out the research plan. It is not necessary for the Postdoctoral Fellow and Research Consultant to share an institutional base.

The Research Consultant shall hold a doctoral degree from a U.S. university or from an accredited foreign university, and shall demonstrate commitment to human sexuality research through his/her previous publication record and research experience. During the fellowship year, the Postdoctoral Fellow will advance his/her ability to conduct and disseminate research in policy analysis, policy development and/or implementation, with substantive advising by the Research Consultant.

There are no citizenship requirements for the SRFP Postdoctoral Fellowships.

STIPEND

This program is designed to provide support for the continuing professional development of established researchers and for their critical, innovative research projects relating to sexuality and policy analysis, policy development and/or implementation. It does not support curriculum development or evaluation, direct service provision, public/community education, or the creation and maintenance of organizations. Fellowship awards will be given to six Postdoctoral Fellows for a one-year period and will include stipends based on the awardee's previous year's salary and professional standing, for a minimum of $50,000 and up to $60,000 to cover research costs and living expenses. For each fellowship awarded, an additional $5,000 will be awarded to the Fellow's Research Consultant, in compensation for his/her contribution to the research partnership.

APPLICATIONS

The current competition's deadline has passed and the competition is closed. Award selection will be announced in late March 2005.

Thank you for your interest in the Sexuality Research Fellowship Program. Please browse the SRFP Fellowship Links for detailed information about SRFP Fellows and the 2005-2006 Selection Committee.

Inquiries may be directed to the program at srfp@ssrc.org or by phone at (212) 377-2700.