Advance Research That Strengthens a Free and Open Society
IHS supports independent academic research on digital governance, nuclear energy, and deliberative democracy to advance knowledge of the foundations of a free society.
Funder: Institute for Humane Studies
Due Dates: July 1, 2026 (Digital Governance as Liberal Experimentation & Nuclear Energy RFPs) | July 10, 2026 (Deliberative Democracy RFP)
Funding Amounts: Up to $20,000 per award; larger amounts possible for exceptional projects; typical duration is one year.
Summary: Supports independent, rigorous research on governance, democracy, energy, and economics to advance understanding of a free and open society.
Description
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) provides targeted research funding to academic scholars through a series of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) focused on the institutional, economic, constitutional, and cultural foundations of a free society. Current RFP themes include digital governance, nuclear energy and grid challenges, and deliberative democracy. Awards support independent research that addresses key questions in these fields, with scholars retaining full control over research design, analysis, and publication. Proposals are expected to closely engage with the specific RFP themes, and interdisciplinary or comparative research is encouraged. Deliverables may include peer-reviewed publications, policy white papers, or research datasets.
