Following FSI's conference on Technology, Governance, and Global Development, FSI is launching a venture fund to seed new projects addressing global underdevelopment and poverty alleviation. The Action Fund executive committee seeks proposals from Stanford principal investigators (PIs) for one-year grants on innovative, early-stage research projects related to global underdevelopment. Favorable consideration will be given to proposals that are collaborative, outcomes-oriented, policy relevant, and provide training for graduate and undergraduate students. Proposals should be submitted by August 31, 2010. FSI is also planning a related speaker series during 2010-11 to build a community of scholars interested in development issues.

Background and Purpose

As Stanford's primary forum for multidisciplinary research on international issues, FSI actively promotes research collaborations that transcend traditional academic boundaries to influence public policy nationally and internationally. FSI's Action Fund was established to jump-start innovative, early-stage projects related to global underdevelopment, with the goal of creating new and promising areas of self-sustaining research at FSI and of building a community of scholars who are  interested in those questions.

Eligibility and Guidelines

FSI's Action Fund executive committee currently seeks proposals from Stanford principal investigators (PIs) for one-year grants on early-stage research projects that seek to address problems related to global underdevelopment and poverty alleviation. First-round awards will range from $10,000 to $40,000. In making awards, the committee will be informed by, but not limited to, proposals that are:

• Collaborative
• Outcomes oriented
• Policy relevant
• Early stage
• Training grounds for graduate and undergraduate students

PIs whose proposals receive funding will be asked to share their research plans with colleagues as part of a new Global Underdevelopment speaker series at FSI during the 2010-11 academic year. Project budgets may include PI expenses for travel and materials, but grant funds may not be used to supplement salary for PIs. Grants will expire one year after the award start date.

Proposals should be no more than five pages in length, and include a budget. Proposals may be submitted electronically to Belinda Byrne or Veronica Marian at FSI. The deadline for submission is August 31, 2010.

Award Process

The Action Fund executive committee, chaired by Stephen Krasner, will award grants, convene educational and outreach activities, and formulate long-range goals that will build community as well as  extend the impact of global underdevelopment activities at Stanford.

Faculty serving on the Action Fund executive committee include:

• Joshua Cohen
• Larry Diamond
• Seema Jayachandran (on leave)
• Stephen D. Krasner (chair)
• Rosamond L. Naylor
• Scott Rozelle
• Paul H. Wise
• Frank Wolak

Please contact Belinda Byrne or Veronica Marian at FSI for additional details about this RFP.