The Minerva Research Initiative brings together universities and other research institutions around the world and supports multidisciplinary and cross-institutional projects, addressing specific interest areas determined by the Department of Defense. The Minerva program aims to promote research in specific areas of social science and to promote a candid and constructive relationship between DoD and the social science academic community. Minerva aims to improve DoD’s basic understanding of the social, cultural, behavioral, and political forces that shape regions of the world of strategic importance to the U.S. The research program seeks to:
- Leverage and focus the resources of the nation’s top universities.
- Define and develop foundational knowledge about sources of present and future conflict with an eye toward better understanding of the political trajectories of key regions of the world; and
- Improve the ability of DoD to develop cutting-edge social science research and foreign area and interdisciplinary studies that is developed and vetted by the best scholars in these fields.
The Minerva Research Initiative competition topics include:
- Topic 1: Societal Cohesion in Crisis
- Topic 2: Considering Societal Resilience at Multiple Scales
- Topic 3: Sociotechnical Adaptation to Climate, Food, and Water Stress
- Topic 4: Social Impact of Technological Change
- Topic 5: Parasocial Relationships, Social Media, and Radicalization
- Topic 6: Temporal Orientation and Strategic Considerations
- Topic 7: Evolving Contexts of Deterrence
- Topic 8: War Termination Processes and Prospects
Here is the detailed Funding Opportunity Announcement. KeywordsClimate Change, Social Media, Technology, Defense Planning/PolicyDeadlines
- White papers are due January 16, 2024, at 3:00 pm Est. White papers are optional, though strongly encouraged.
- Full applications are due April 2, 2024, at 3:00 pm Est.
FundingThe Federal Government (DoD) anticipates awarding 15 grants, with each valued up to $1,000,000.00 per year with a three-to-five-year period of performance. The total amount awarded is not expected to exceed $25,000,000. These funding amounts include both direct and indirect costs. EligibilityAll responsible sources from academia, including DoD institutions of higher education and foreign universities, may submit proposals under this FOA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals. No limited submission and no citizenship or geographic location restrictions. Teams are encouraged and may submit proposals in any and all areas. Non-profit institutions and commercial entities may be included on a university-led team as sub awardees only, receiving funding for their efforts accordingly.
