Description: From pandemics and climate change, to disruptive technologies and other emerging risks, it is a truism that most of today’s global threats cannot be addressed effectively without collective action. The failure of international responses to COVID-19 is only the most recent and dramatic example of the inability of long-standing cooperative mechanisms and institutions to withstand the pressures of nationalism, protectionism, and broader structural and systemic deficiencies. As the nature of security in the 21st century continues to evolve, there is a need to reimagine existing multilateral approaches to critical transnational challenges.
Carnegie Corporation of New York invites projects that provide insights and practical approaches for addressing one or more of the following questions: How might the system of international institutions be reimagined and/or reinvigorated to better respond to 21st-century security challenges, including those that threaten global health, climate, privacy, and civic well-being? What are the pros/cons/utility of different forms of multilateralism for different purposes (e.g. formal vs. informal, small vs. large, narrow vs. broad, regional vs. global, like-minded vs. mixed, major powers only vs. a broader set of powers)? How might critical, yet underappreciated, flashpoints (geographic, economic, technological, etc.) be managed through multilateral approaches? Could these approaches be applied more broadly? See website for full list.
Award: Grants offered in two categories: up to $200,000 and $200,000-500,000. Projects may run up to 24 months.
Eligibility: U.S.-based think-tanks, university centers, and independent nongovernmental organizations are eligible to apply, though they are strongly encouraged to have international partners. Proposals must be submitted by an organization; individual researchers working on their own projects are not eligible for consideration. Please note that there is one application allowed per center at USC. See website for full eligibility requirements.
Deadline: Initial concept notes due by March 15.