Democracy from the Margins

SUMMER INSTITUTE: DEMOCRACY FROM THE MARGINS
2027

The Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for a Summer Institute on the topic of Democracy from the Margins. Democracy from the Margins refers to an emerging body of research that studies civic life, social movements, political culture, and democratic behavior and institutions from the perspective of communities who – because of class, race, ethnicity, immigration, and other positionalities – have been marginalized in life. RSF is committed to supporting a broad array of research that examines and deepens understandings of democracy—its meanings, relevance, and practice—specifically for communities whose lives and histories have been shaped by enduring exclusion from dominant forms of power, resources, status and the full-functioning of democracy. The launch of the Democracy from the Margins Summer Institutes marks the Foundation’s first programmatic intervention in this area of study.

Reflecting this body of research, proposals for a Democracy from the Margins Summer Institute must describe plans to convene a multidisciplinary group of junior scholars, introducing them to theories, research methods, and broader intellectual approaches that may not be available at their home institutions. Institute proposals should outline a curriculum that is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, drawing widely from but not limited to the social sciences, including political science, history, psychology, sociology, and economics. RSF-funded institutes typically run for one to two weeks and are led by several distinguished scholars in the field. Participation in RSF Summer Institutes should be open to PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and recent graduates within two years of receiving the PhD. Proposals should also include a clear outreach strategy for recruiting a diverse cohort of participants.

RSF grant support for the Summer Institute will cover the reasonable travel (economy-class), meals, and accommodation costs of participants and instructors, and honoraria for organizers and instructors.

Proposals are due by 2pm ET on October 1, 2026. The successful proposal will be announced in December 2026 with a view to conducting the first Summer Institute in Summer 2027. RSF will consider a renewal grant to support a second institute in summer 2028 pending positive evaluations for the 2027 summer institute.

Application Requirements

Eligibility: All PIs and Co-PIs must have a doctorate and represent different disciplines and perspectives. At least one summer institute organizer must be a senior scholar of the rank of full professor or equivalent.

Application Requirements:

• Proposal: Maximum of 10 single-spaced pages (with standard 12-point font and 1-inch margins), excluding appendices. Proposals must include details on the following:
  1. the schedule for the Institute
  2. the proposed curriculum for the Institute
  3. eligibility criteria, application and selection procedures, and class size
  4. likely instructors
  5. housing and meal plan
  6. plans for outreach, including a draft one-page announcement as an appendix
  7. qualifications and responsibilities of organizers/instructors
• Budget and Budget Narrative: The budget template will be part of the online application in Fluxx, the application portal. Successful projects will be funded up to $200,000 (plus 15% indirect costs). Succinctly explain and clarify each line item, including a breakdown of the total.
• CV for PI and co-PIs: 5 pages max. per CV

Review Process
Summer Institute applications will be reviewed internally by an RSF trustee committee and submitted for approval by the full board of trustees in November.