American Sociological Association: Community Action Research Initative

Community Action Research Initiative (CARI) Grant

The Sydney S. Spivack Program in
Applied Social Research and Social Policy

Deadline: February 1

Program Description
To encourage sociologists to undertake community action projects that bring social science knowledge, methods, and expertise to bear in addressing community-identified issues and concerns. Grant applications are encouraged from sociologists seeking to work with community organizations, local public interest groups, or community action projects. Appointments will run for the duration of the project, whether the activity is to be undertaken during the year, in the summer, or for other time-spans.

Eligibility
Applications are encouraged from sociologists in academic settings, research institutions, private and non-profit organizations, and government. Advanced graduate students are eligible to apply, but the funding cannot be used to support doctoral dissertation research. Funding also may not be used for the Principal Investigator's salary or for travel beyond the local area.

While ASA membership is not a criterion for applying or being selected for this grant, if and when a grant award is made, the recipient must be a current ASA member. ASA membership involves acceptance of and adherence to the ASA Code of Ethics, which is critical to the implementation of the grant project. Grantees must also provide documentation of pertinent IRB approval for the funded project.

Project Ideas
Sociologists are expected to work in relevant community organizations. The proposed work can include such activities as needs assessments, empirical research relevant to community activities or action planning, the design and/or implementation of evaluation studies, or analytic review of the social science literature related to a policy issue or problem. Innovative placements and plans are encouraged. They may also be called upon by ASA to participate in press briefings, testimony, or other presentations related to the subject area of the fellowship. Standard research projects, however interesting, are not appropriate for this funding. The goal of this program is to link sociologists with community action groups and to use sociological research to advance the goals of those groups.

Awards
Grants are likely to range from $1,000 - $3,000 to cover direct costs associated with the project; these funds cannot be used as a salary stipend (including course release).

Approximately four to eight awards will be made each year.

Application Process
Applications will be accepted until February 1. Applications should include the following:

Your full name, institution, complete address, home phone number, work phone number, email address, and web site (if one exists).
A description of the intended project, including the sociological relevance to a policy issue, the goals of the project, and a description of how the goals will be carried out.
A description of the community organization with which you are planning to work.
A description of how your research and its goals relate to the objectives and structure of the community organization or project.
A description of how your project and goals relate to community-identified issues and concerns.
The expected budget. Include a detailed budget plan.
If your project involves students (not a requirement) please include a description of how the students will participate in the project.
A time schedule showing how a specific organization will use your research to carry out its goals.
A description of any products that will result should also be described, as well as how they will be disseminated. The dissemination phase need not occur during the time of the fellowship.
Resume of applicant(s)
A letter from an organizational sponsor, including a description of the organization's goals, funding, etc.
Maximun Length: 5 Pages

If sending your application materials electronically, please send applications in Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat format to Spivack@asanet.org. Include "CARI Application" in the title of your email correspondence.

If sending your application materials via postal delivery, please send to: