The Notre Dame Democracy Initiative, a key component of the University’s strategic framework, is accepting applications for a second round of Democracy Catalyst Grants, 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 two years. Read more about this funding opportunity, eligibility, and instructions for applying. The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, Oct. 17.
"Last year, the Democracy Initiative supported more than 40 Catalyst projects representing over 27 units on campus," said Democracy Initiative Director David Campbell, the Packey J. Dee Professor of American Democracy. "These are already producing dozens of convenings, new classes, and dozens of new research outputs. This cycle, we will support fewer projects and for a two-year period rather than three. We encourage Notre Dame faculty and students to apply for this next round of funding."
The Democracy Catalyst Fund is explicitly aimed at catalyzing new areas of inquiry or programming. Examples of the types of projects funded include:
Research
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Data gathering and field work (all levels of scholarship)
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Research assistants (both graduate and undergraduate)
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Surveys and experiments
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Graduate research projects (e.g. dissertation grants, thesis fieldwork)
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Seed funding for larger grant-funded projects
Education and Formation
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Course development (limited to $5,000)
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Student club or residence hall support for events/speakers/programming
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Graduate student stipend enhancements for newly admitted students (Department applicants only)
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Graduate student research cohorts/reading/writing groups around themes related to democracy studies
Convenings
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Workshops
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Conferences
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Speaker Honoraria