ASA: Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline

Sponsor: The American Sociological Association (ASA)

The American Sociological Association invites submissions for the Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline (FAD) awards. Supported by the American Sociological Association through a matching grant from the National Science Foundation, the goal of this project is to nurture the development of scientific knowledge by funding small, groundbreaking research initiatives and other important scientific research activities such as conferences. FAD awards provide scholars with small grants ($7,000 maximum) for innovative research that has the potential for challenging the discipline, stimulating new lines of research, and creating new networks of scientific collaboration. The award is intended to provide opportunities for substantive and methodological breakthroughs, broaden the dissemination of scientific knowledge, and provide leverage for acquisition of additional research funds.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals are reviewed for scientific merit and the importance of the proposed research project. Within this context, specific evaluation criteria include the following elements:

- Innovativeness and promise of the research.

- The potential of the study as a building block in the development of future research.

- Appropriateness and significance of the research hypothesis.

- Feasibility and adequacy of project design.

- Plans for analysis of data.

- Plans for dissemination of results.

- Appropriateness of requested budget.

Conference proposals should include a discussion of activities that will lead to networking, new paradigms, and dissemination.

The awards are limited to individuals with PhD degrees or the equivalent.

While ASA membership is not a criterion for applying or being selected for this grant, if and when a grant award is made, the recipient must be a current ASA member. ASA membership involves acceptance of and adherence to the ASA Code of Ethics, which is critical to the implementation of the grant project. Grantees must also provide documentation of pertinent IRB approval for the funded project.

Preference is given to applicants who have not previously received a FAD award. The selection committee consists of five members of the ASA Council, ASA's Vice-President, and the ASA Director of the Research Department.

Amount: The amount of each award shall not exceed $7,000. Payment goes directly to the principal investigator unless other arrangements are made.

Grant money may not be used for convention expenses, honoraria, or Principal Investigator's salary. No overhead expenses are provided if institutions assist in administering the award for applicants .

Deadline: Applications must be received in the ASA Executive office by June 15 for awards to be reviewed in the summer cycle, and by December 15 for awards to be reviewed in the winter

For further information, please visit: http://www.asanet.org/cs/root/leftnav/funding/fund_for_the_advancement_of_the_discipline