dissertations on philanthropy and nonprofits
A Cravens
can be found and downloaded on the web from the SSRC
Website
http://www.ssrc.org
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
The Social Science Research Council is pleased to announce
the second annual dissertation competition of the Program
on Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector. Fellowships
will provide support for dissertation research. Up to 7
fellowships of $18,000 each will be awarded to the most
talented students of the social sciences and humanities
who plan to use their knowledge of the theories and
methods of their disciplines to address issues concerning
philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Support will be
provided for doctoral research on a broad range of issues
including: altruistic behavior, motivation, social impact,
public policy, political economy, industrial structure,
organizational demography, and the history of
philanthropic institutions and the nonprofit sector.
Multi-disciplinary dissertation workshops will provide and
opportunity for Fellows to discuss theoretical,
methodological, and practical problems of conducting
research on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
Workshops will highlight thematic, empirical, and
policy-relevant perspectives of Fellows' research agendas
and address themes that resonate across disciplines. They
are intended to facilitate the formation of networks, to
foster cross-disciplinary dialogue, and to help Fellows
anticipate issues beyond their doctoral research.
The Program
The Social Science Research Council established the
Program on Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector to
provide greater visibility and coherence as well as
intellectual momentum and direction to the study of
philanthropy and the nonprofit sector through annual
dissertation fellowship competitions and research planning
activities. Funds for the Program are provided by an
anonymous donor. The Program will foster a scholarly
community around issues concerning institutional
structures such as foundations and NGOs, and religious,
educational, social service, healthcare, and arts and
culture organizations, as well as advocacy groups,
altruistic behavior, and charitable activities. It will
provide the opportunity for focused and sustained
scholarly conversation about these institutions and
behaviors both across and within the disciplines and will
promote the development of conceptual and methodological
frameworks for the study of these issues in the United
States, or in the United States in a comparative context.
Eligibility and Terms
The Program on Philanthropy and the Nonprofit Sector
invites applications from full-time graduate students in
the social sciences and humanities enrolled in doctoral
programs in the United States to support research on this
country. Proposals that identify countries outside of the
United States as cases for comparative inquiry are also
welcome. There are no citizenship requirements, and
applications from women and persons of color are
especially encouraged.
Applicants must have completed all requirements for the
Ph.D. except the research component, including an approved
dissertation prospectus, by December 2001. Fellowships
will provide support for nine to twelve months or research
and related expenses. Candidates may propose a period
shorter than nine months in exceptional cases for a
reduced reward, but no award will be offered for a period
shorter than six months. The fellowships must be held
consecutively within the period between June 2001 and
December 2002.
Criteria for Selection
Selection criteria include a strong record of achievement
by the applicant in his/her academic discipline; evidence
of a thorough knowledge of the major concepts and methods
relevant to the research, both in the applicant's
discipline and in other fields where appropriate; evidence
of having attained an appropriate level of training and
skills to undertake the proposed research; clear
presentation of rationale for the research; feasibility of
the research; and probability that the proposed research
will contribute to knowledge in the disciplines and in the
fields of philanthropy and nonprofit studies as well as
inform debates that go beyond the specific topic chosen
for study. The research design of proposals should
address significant theoretical issues and demonstrate
awareness of methodological concerns. It should be
realistic in scope and clearly formulated.
Awards
Awards will provide up to $18,000 for research support.
Fellows will also be eligible to apply for an additional
$5,000 in write-up support. Fellowships will not be
provided solely for final write-up.
Deadline
Complete application packets must be received by the SSRC
no later than 1 December 2000.
Announcement of Awards
Award decisions will be announced by mail at the end of
April 2001. Applicants are requested to notify the Program
of any change in address subsequent to submission of
application by sending an e-mail to phi...@ssrc.org
or by calling Program staff at (212) 377-2700 ext. 453.
Full text of the call for entries and application forms
can be found and downloaded on the web from the SSRC
Website
http://www.ssrc.org