Social Science Research Council

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SSRC?
Established in 1923, the Social Science Research Council is an independent, nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization that seeks to advance social science throughout the world and supports research, education and scholarly exchange on every continent. The Council is committed to international, interdisciplinary social science that focuses on themes of public importance.

Are the possible subjects of research eligible under the theme of Reconceptualizing Public Spheres limited to the topics listed on the program flyer and announcement?
No. The notion of public spheres is used in a broad sense. While the topics listed on the program announcement and flyer represent a sampling of possible options, a wide range of relevant issues are permissible under the rubric of Reconceptualizing Public Spheres. Regardless of specific topic, proposals are expected to engage critically with the literature on public spheres and to assess the relevance of particular approaches and concepts to the MENA region.

Are there any restrictions regarding possible themes of research?
Proposals focusing on narrowly defined security issues are not eligible for this grant. Individuals intending to apply with such proposals will be directed to the collaborative research grants competition held by the SSRC’s Global Security and Cooperation Program (for further information see the GSC homepage).

What are eligible sites of research for the International Collaborative Research Grants?
Proposed projects may focus on a single or multiple sites of research. However, eligible proposals must include at least one site in the region as a primary focus of research. Hence eligible projects could focus on: one site in the MENA region; multiple sites in the MENA region; cross regional projects involving at least one site in the MENA region. Projects focusing on understudied areas of the region are particularly encouraged.

How is the MENA region defined?
For the purposes of this grant the region is defined as including all areas between Iran and Morocco. Turkey is included as an eligible site within the region. At this time Afghanistan, Central Asia and the Caucasus are not eligible as primary regional sites of research focus, however comparative projects that include a focus on these areas are strongly encouraged. In the future, the MENA Program hopes to expand activities to better integrate scholarship on these parts of the region.

What is collaboration?
For the purposes of this competition, collaboration is defined as a process that brings together scholars in different locations and encourages linkages across geographic, as well as disciplinary and methodological boundaries. Collaboration involves the sharing of research, analysis, and intellectual products and hinges on a project design that involves all partners in as many stages as possible. The competition does not acknowledge "primary" researchers. The proposed scholarship must be carried out by all research partners in an equitable manner, with resources from the award distributed among all individuals involved, and any products resulting from the grant credited to all research partners. Projects involving research partners from countries or areas that are less well represented in international social science circuits are particularly encouraged.

Are there any national or residential requirements for eligible collaboration?
Yes. Eligible applications must propose collaboration among researchers in at least two different locations in the region. In regards to this requirement, eligibility is based upon the location of actual residence, and not the individual’s citizenship or legal resident status. As long as residence has been maintained in a particular location for a minimum of three years, regardless of nationality, the individual is considered to be ‘located’ in that country. As long as this requirement is met, the proposed collaboration can involve as many scholars, in any locations, as is feasible. Applications proposing collaboration among researchers of different nationalities residing in the same location are not eligible.

What does the application process entail?

All proposed research partners must be able and willing to attend the workshop. The selection committee will make the choice of which research partner attends the workshop. If there is a significant reason why a particular partner in a proposed project should attend the workshop, please note and explain this in the submitted proposal. The working language of the workshop will be English. All costs related to attending the workshop will be covered by the SSRC and will not be deducted from potential award amounts.

How will funds be distributed?
Awarded funds will not be directed solely to one research partner, but will be distributed in the most equitable fashion possible, taking into consideration logistical and tax concerns.

Are there any activities, reports or final products required by the grant?
Yes. During the course of the grant period, research visits must occur among all involved partners. All partners must meet with all other partners at least once. This can be achieved in one meeting, or in several, however it is required that one meeting take place in the MENA region. Secondly, the research partners of an awarded project are required to organize either a workshop, or a panel at a regional or international conference (up to $5,000 of the awarded grant funds may be used for this purpose).

In addition grantees will be required to collaboratively submit three brief interim reports, a copy of the final research product(s) and the completed final report form. The final research product must be collaboratively produced and equally credited to all research partners. This final product could include (but is not limited to): a publication, an exhibition, visual materials (film, slide show, etc.), a website, an institution (ex: NGO), or a performance. A modest honorarium will be held in reserve until the completion of this ‘product.’

Can I apply individually, if I don’t currently have any research partners?
No. Applications must include at least two researchers in two different countries of the MENA region although the planned collaboration can include as many partners in as many locations as desired. During the period between the preliminary and the final application the composition of the research team can be changed as the project develops conceptually.

Can an individual apply as a research partner on more than one proposed project?
No. An individual can only be listed on one application to the International Collaborative Research Grants competition.

Can institutions apply for the grant?
No. Applications from institutions will not be accepted. Only individuals are eligible applicants for the International Collaborative Research Grants competition.

In which languages are the preliminary application, CV and letter of recommendation accepted in?
Preliminary proposals will be accepted in English, Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and French. The CV form and the letter of recommendation form must be completed in English, however the actual letter of recommendation may be in any of the above languages.

On what criteria will selection of awardees be based?
The criteria utilized by the selection committee include:

Projects that focus on understudied topics or areas, propose scholarship that crosses current scholarly divides (geographic, conceptual or theoretical), or reflect innovative comparisons or forms of collaboration will be particularly well received.

Do applicants have to hold PhDs?
All proposed research partners must hold a PhD or an equivalent. Junior scholars having recently earned their doctoral degrees are particularly encouraged. Individuals with a professional degree as well as an additional advanced degree may be eligible. Individuals without the required degree, but with an extensive background of research experience (minimum of 10 years)may be eligible. In these cases, potential applicants are required to contact program staff to confirm their eligibility.

Are there any nationality restrictions on the grant?
No. The competition is open to individuals of any citizenship. However the requirement that the proposed collaboration involve two researchers who are either resident nationals of or residing in two different parts of the region must be met.

Are there any disciplinary requirements of the grant?
Research partners may have academic backgrounds in any field or discipline, as long as the proposed project is firmly grounded in the social sciences. Interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged.

What is the amount and duration of the grant?
Grants will be awarded on a case-by-case basis up to a maximum of $35,000. The maximum grant period is 18 months. There is no minimum requirement for the duration of the proposed project.

When is the grant period of the award?
The proposed project must be carried out during a grant period between July 2003 and January 2005.

Do preliminary applications need to include a proposed budget?
No. At this stage in the application process, budgets are not required. However, the general uses of the award must be clearly spelled out in the submitted proposal. Preliminary applications advancing to the second round of the application process will be required to submit a proposed budget for the final application. These issues will be discussed in detail at the workshop held for semi-finalist applicants.

What are the possible uses of the grant funds?
Possible uses of grant funds include, but are not limited to:

The competition allows for a great deal of flexibility in terms of the usage of grant funds, however budgets should be distributed among the proposed uses in a relatively balanced manner. This information is provided only to clarify the possible uses of the grant, however applicants should not be concerned with specific budgetary issues at this time. Budgetary issues will be explained in further detail for applicants advancing to the second round of the application process.

Can the grants be used for conducting research and data collection?
The general purpose of the ICRG program is to promote the collaborative production of scholarship by encouraging the sharing of research among scholars, and supporting the processes of collaborative integration and analysis of previously obtained data. The grants are not intended to support the collection of primary data and materials, however a small portion of the award may be utilized for necessary additional data collection.

Where do I get the CV and Letter of Recommendation forms, and must I use the actual forms?
Submitted applications must include a completed CV form for all listed research partners, as well as one letter of recommendation for the proposed project. Applicants must use the standard CV form issued by the SSRC, which can be downloaded from our website or obtained by contacting program staff. For those unable to download the forms or work with e-mailed computer attachments, SSRC staff will forward the document via fax or mail. In circumstances where none of these options are feasible, applicants may replicate the forms themselves, however the exact wording, formatting and spacing must be used.

The letter of recommendation must be accompanied by a completed Letter of Recommendation form. The same conditions apply to this form as stated above. Please note that both the CV form and the Letter of Recommendation form need to be completed in English (the actual recommendation letter itself, however, can be submitted in English, Arabic, Persian, Turkish or French.)

Should the letter of recommendation focus on the proposed project or the individual scholars involved?
The letter should recommend the project being proposed, and not the individual research partners involved. Applicants are encouraged to select a recommender on the basis of how well the individual is positioned within relevant fields to speak to the potential and significance of the proposed project. Selected recommenders should be instructed to focus on the nature, feasibility and contribution of the proposal, rather than commenting on the researchers involved.

When is the deadline for submission of preliminary applications?
All preliminary applications must be received by November 15, 2002. However applicants are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible, to ensure adequate time to provide any additional information that may be deemed necessary prior to the November 15, 2002 deadline.

What do I do if I have further questions or need additional clarification?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact program staff at:

The Social Science Research Council
Program on the Middle East & North Africa
810 Seventh Avenue, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10019
Tel: (212) 377-2700 x441
Fax: (212) 377-2727
Email: mena@ssrc.org