Objectives:
In order to support scientific research on public opinion, electoral behavior and regional political culture the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), with the financial support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is opening a competition for scholars world-wide at public and private institutions, to compete for small grants in the field of democracy in Latin America. Every project eligible for a grant must have as its basis the analysis of at least one of the databases in the LAPOP files.
Eligibility list:
Eligible individuals are faculty members, researchers and graduate students in any country whose work is related to democratization in Latin America and who are conducting research projects in recognized academic or research institutions. Minimal requirement: M.A. in a social science.
Conditions:
The grant consists of a total of USD 3,000. This amount may be spent on various activities directly related to the approved project, including software acquisition, bibliographical material, research assistance and salaries/fees of the researcher(s). The grant will be paid as follows: half of the total upon award, and the remainder when the final report of the research is accepted by LAPOP. The final report must be submitted within 6 months of receiving the grant. If that deadline is not met, the second half of the funds will not be paid.
LAPOP will provide the relevant public opinion data bases at no cost to the grantee, although all grantees must first receive human subjects certification from Vanderbilt University. Grantees will be instructed how to obtain this certification, for which there is no cost.
The research should contribute to academic discussion in the field of democratization, with an emphasis on public opinion, electoral behavior, and political culture. The papers produced will be published as part of the LAPOP Working Paper Series. Publication in the LAPOP Working Paper Series in no way would prevent authors from publishing their papers in journals or books, and indeed are encouraged to do so. The final report can be submitted in Spanish or English.
Evaluation Mechanisms:
Projects will be evaluated by a committee comprised of distinguished researchers and scholars from various countries. The selection will be based on
a) The qualifications of the applicant, as demonstrated by the CV
b) The rigor of the scientific approach and methodology proposed
c) The degree to which the proposal demonstrate conceptual innovation and promise for applied contributions to democracy promotion.
Selection Committee:
Mitchell A. Seligson (Grants Committee Director, Centennial Professor of Political Science, Vanderbilt University y Director, LAPOP)
John Booth (Regents Professor of Political Science, University of North Texas)
Damarys Canache (Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Illinois)
Julio F. Carrión (Director, Latin American Studies Program and Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Delaware)
Jon Hiskey (Associate Professor of Political Science, Vanderbilt University)
Rachael Meneguello (Opinão Pública Editor, Brasil, Director of Centro de Estudos de Opinião Pública (CESOP) and Profesor of Political Science, Universidad de Campinas, Brasil)
Margaret Sarles (Division Chief, Strategic Planning and Research, Office of Democracy and Governance, U.S. Agency for International Development)
Jorge Vargas-Cullel (Director, Estado de la Nación, Costa Rica; Coordinator of the Public Opinión Study, PRODDAL - Proyecto sobre el Desarrollo de la Democracia en América Latina- PNUD)
Required Documentation:
-Complete the application form. The required documentation should be submitted in PDF via e-mail. Mailed applications will not be accepted.
The required application can be downloaded on-line at: grants application form
The required documentation includes (PDF or Word format):
- Cover sheet.
- Participant CV’s.
- Research project proposal. The proposal should not be longer than five pages, double space (12 point Times New Roman), including bibliography, charts and notes.
- Abstract, maximum of 100 words.
- Letter of institutional support from the Chancellor or Director of the research university or institute. This document has to state that no fee, or overhead is being charged on LAPOP funds, either by the institute or the university. The letter must state that the grant will be for the exclusive use of the researchers and the funds will be used solely for research purposes.
- A detail budget of the planned expenses.
Dates:
Due: December 15, 2007, 5 pm CST. Each participant will be informed of the results of the competition by February 1, 2008.
Contact information:
Grants Program Coordinator
Latin America Public Opinion Project (LAPOP)
Vanderbilt University
Phone: (615) 343.2097
Mail Address:
Department of Political Science
VanderbiltUniversity
VU Station B #351527
2301 Vanderbilt Place
Nashville, TN 37235-1527
USA
