Call for Proposals: The Domestic-International Connection

Background and Scope

Experts, political leaders, and voters are increasingly calling for the United States to reorient its foreign and national security policies to better reflect connections between international and domestic concerns. They argue that economic, health, education, and social problems cannot be addressed by separating foreign and domestic policies and that greater integration would lead to more effective U.S. policies at home and abroad. Given the heightened interest in these issues, there is a need to explore the key factors underlying the importance of the domestic-international connection and what an integrative policy approach might look like in practice.

Through this Request for Proposals, Carnegie Corporation of New York seeks projects that provide new and actionable insights on these issues. More specifically, we are seeking project ideas that will address one or more of the following questions:  

• Why would a better alignment between domestic and foreign policy lead to better outcomes for the United States?
• What specific goals might be advanced through better aligned domestic and foreign policies in key areas, and what would be the trade-offs? 
• How should U.S. spending and policy priorities be adjusted to better achieve outcomes that make Americans more secure in their daily lives? 
• What roles should the Executive and Legislative branches play in managing these efforts? 
• How should the composition, organization, and functioning of federal agencies be adapted to achieve these objectives? 
• How should other domestic stakeholders, including state/local government, civil society organizations, as well as the business and academic sectors, be engaged in these conversations and efforts? 
• How can the views of underrepresented domestic constituencies be more meaningfully included in these foreign policy and national security debates? 
• What lessons can be learned from past efforts to integrate concepts such as “human security” or “global security” into the foreign policy and national security space, and how should they inform new efforts?  

Eligibility

Projects may run for up to 24 months. Applicants may submit a proposal in one of two categories: grants of up to $200,000 or grants for between $200,000 and $500,000. Grants will be onetime funding.

• Think tanks, university-based centers, and independent nongovernmental organizations are eligible to apply. 
• Applying organizations must be based in the United States.  
• Proposals must be submitted by an organization; individual researchers working on their own projects are not eligible for consideration. 
• Special consideration will be given to institutions and experts not currently funded by the Corporation. 
• Projects may build on past or current work but must represent an expansion or evolution of that work. 
• All proposals must:
  • Involve collaborations between domestic and foreign policy experts within the same or different institutions.
  • Include participation by experts from underrepresented communities in the project team and/or project activities. We also encourage inclusion of early-career and/or mid-career experts.  
  • Demonstrate practical significance and a viable path for policy adoption. 
  • Clearly identify stakeholders and key audiences with a dissemination plan that uses appropriate channels. 

Application Process and Timeline

• Applicants should submit:
  • A concept note of no more than three pages (double-spaced) that:
    • Explains the project’s approach, goals, and workplan. 
    • Indicates the amount of funds requested and any other complementary sources of financial support.
  • Brief biographic summaries of the principal investigator/s and anticipated key project personnel (one-page double-spaced total).
• All documents should be sent to IP_RFP_FP@carnegie.org
• Initial concept notes are due on or before March 15 (submissions will be accepted through midnight ET on the 15th). Different centers/schools at the same university may each submit one concept note. Think tanks may submit one concept note for the entire institution.
• Finalists will be contacted by April 15. 
• Larger grants (above $200,000) will be recommended for support at the September 2021 board of trustees meeting. Smaller grants ($200,000 or less) might be recommended for support earlier in 2021.