Social Science Research Council

How many grants do you intend to give out this year?

We anticipate awarding 12-15 grants this year.

I have that the grant is on a two-year cycle. Does that mean we are supposed to propose a two-year project and also propose a budget that covers those two years?

No. The project cycle is a single year. Please submit a narrative proposal and budget that reflects this one-year cycle.

If we are awarded a grant this year, are we eligible to renew the grant next year?

If an NRC is awarded a grant, the center may apply for a renewal the following year or submit a second proposal for a different project.

May multiple NRCs from the same campus submit a proposal together?

Yes. We encourage multiple NRCs to apply jointly.

May we submit a proposal jointly between multiple Title VI funded NRCs from different campuses that intend to pursue a related project?

Yes. We encourage joint applications, whether the partners are NRCs from the same campus or are centers from different universities.

We have multiple NRCs that plan to submit a joint application. May we apply for $50,000 per eligible NRC?

No. There is an absolute cap of $100,000 for joint applications, but only exceptional projects will be awarded this maximum amount.

We prioritize engagement but are not an eligible NRC as we lack Title VI funding. May we apply in partnership with an eligible NRC if the proposed project in all other ways fits the criteria for this grant?

Yes. As long as the primary applicant is an eligible Title VI funded NRC, otherwise ineligible partners may work in concert with the NRC and should be identified on the grant application.

Must the PI be the center director?

No, the PI may be anyone who will be closely involved in the project who is affiliated with one of the applicant NRCs.

What audiences may be targeted by the proposed activities?

The proposed activities may engage any publics other than academic ones or K-12 audiences.

We have a conference that we want to fund. May we apply for these grants with this purpose in mind?

The grants are intended to strengthen the capacity of NRCs to engage various publics other than academic ones or K-12 audiences. As a result, we discourage applications that propose traditional on-campus conferences sustaining conversations between academics, which ultimately are intended for academics.

This does not mean, however, that the grant cannot support some kinds of conferences. Conferences that explore and help to forge new linkages between academics and the media, for instance, would fit comfortably within the intended purpose of the grants. Similarly, off-campus conferences in community venues might be appropriate in some instances.

May we use the Title VI applications as a model for the narrative proposal for this grant application? 

We strongly encourage applicants not to use the Title VI applications as a model for the narrative proposals. Those applications require the proposal of a number of unrelated projects, sometimes as many as 5 or 6. We would prefer that only one or maybe two closely related projects appear in any proposal, which are to be carefully described and will include a description not only of outcomes, but of the process by which those outcomes will be achieved.

How much detail should be included in the narrative proposals submitted with the application?

The narrative must be no more than 8 pages. It should contain enough detail to convince the selection committee that the proposed project is important, feasible, and can be done within the timeframe of the grant.

The narrative proposal also should give a clear indication of who is the intended audience of the programming, how the program will be carried out, and what specific strengths your NRC brings to the proposed project.

It is critical to include in the narrative an adequate distribution plan for any products that will result from the project. 

What is meant by an adequate distribution plan?

We want to ensure that all grant-related products, whether web-based or tangible, are disseminated through distribution channels that ensure the products reach audiences. Neither simply posting a podcast online nor distributing a DVD to other NRCs guarantees that either will reach an audience. We recommend  that NRCs proposing to develop such materials explore partnerships that will provide for them distribution channels. Such partnerships might involve television stations, radio stations or programs, or other relevant organizations, depending on the needs of particular projects (museums, for instance, might be an appropriate partner for some projects while a policymaking body might prove better for others).

I see that the grants support outside partnerships. Are other partnerships encouraged?

Yes, reviewers will look favorably at projects that promote campus partnerships that currently do not exist, such as between NRCs and journalism programs or between NRCs and campus press offices.

Do you require the CV of every department member involved in the NRC and every relevant syllabus?

No. In cases in which NRCs are applying jointly, that would often amount to hundreds of additional pages of supporting material. We ask that you attach as PDFs only a 1-2 page CV of the heads of the NRCs applying for the program and a 1-2 page CV for faculty or participants who will be involved actively in the program. We require no syllabi or course lists. (However, you might wish to include syllabi in the appendices if these are directly relevant to the proposal and outreach activities.)

What from the original Title VI applications that were made to the Department of Education do we need to submit with this application? Do we need to submit all appendices that were included in the Title VI applications?

We do not require anything from the original Title VI applications that were made to the Department of Education.

May we support center salaries with these grants?

You may apply 15% of these grants toward salaries and fringe benefits for staff at the NRCs.

What portion of the grants may support university overhead?

We ask that universities demonstrate support of the proposed programs by waiving all overhead that otherwise might be charged to the grant.

Our university refuses to waive indirect costs. Are we now ineligible?

No. We ask that you contact SSRC under these circumstances and we will attempt to negotiate with the university on this issue. Applications from universities that refuse to waive indirect costs will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

We are looking to create a new media project. Will web development or production costs count toward salary support?

No. Costs associated with web development or media production should be considered consultant or subcontract costs.

We remain a bit confused by the budget categories. May we call or email you with questions?

We strongly encourage you to call or email with questions, and we will be happy to answer the questions as best we can.

What obligations do we have in terms of reporting or attending meetings if we are awarded a grant?

You will need to submit both an interim 5-page report and a final report. In addition, grantees will be expected to attend a meeting that is planned for February 2009.

How do we submit the application?

Please email the application to apsg@ssrc.org.

You may submit pages requiring a signature as PDFs or submit an electronic signature. We do not require hard copies of any documents.