Advance Research That Strengthens a Free and Open Society
IHS funds independent research on the institutional, economic, and cultural foundations of free societies, focusing on digital governance, nuclear energy, and deliberative democracy.
Funder: Institute for Humane Studies
Due Dates: July 1, 2026: Digital Governance as Liberal Experimentation | July 1, 2026: Nuclear Energy and the Challenge of a Growing Grid | July 10, 2026: Deliberative Democracy and the Effects of Deliberation
Funding Amounts: Awards typically up to $5,000 (larger amounts considered for exceptional projects); amount based on need; no overhead/indirect costs allowed.
Summary: Supports independent research addressing the institutional, economic, and cultural foundations of a free and open society through targeted RFPs.
Key Information: Applications open to scholars at accredited institutions; proposals must closely engage with RFP themes.
Description
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) funds rigorous, independent scholarship that explores the institutional, economic, constitutional, and cultural foundations of a free and open society. Through targeted requests for proposals (RFPs), IHS supports original research that addresses specific, timely questions related to liberal democracy, governance, and related themes. Scholars retain full independence over the design, analysis, and publication of their research. Current RFPs focus on topics such as digital governance, nuclear energy policy, and deliberative democracy, with additional opportunities for research using innovative tools like ScholarsEdge.
