Advance Research That Strengthens a Free and Open Society
IHS funds independent research on free societies, with current grants focused on digital governance, nuclear energy, deliberative democracy, and cost of living.
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: Most grants up to $5,000; larger awards (up to $20,000 or more) considered for exceptional projects; award size based on project needs.
Summary: Supports independent research on the institutional, economic, cultural, and constitutional foundations of a free society, with current RFPs on digital governance, nuclear energy, and deliberative democracy.
Description
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) funds rigorous, independent scholarship that advances understanding of the foundations and functioning of free and open societies. Through targeted Requests for Proposals (RFPs), IHS supports research addressing key questions in areas such as digital governance, nuclear energy policy, deliberative democracy, and the cost of living. Scholars retain full independence over their research design, analysis, and publication. Projects are expected to result in deliverables such as peer-reviewed publications, policy white papers, or shareable research datasets. IHS aims to foster cross-disciplinary research and welcomes proposals that bridge fields or offer comparative perspectives.
