The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) is delighted to announce that it is accepting proposals for the third round of its Free Inquiry Grants programme, which supports research that advances understanding of free speech and academic freedom.

Since it was founded more than two decades ago as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, FIRE has become the leading defender of individual rights in education. fundamentals on university campuses thanks to its unique combination of programmes, including student and faculty outreach, public education campaigns, individual case advocacy and policies.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a 501(c)(3) non-partisan organization, is seeking research proposals related to freedom of expression and academic freedom.

Information on funding

• A total reserve of 250,000 $ will be available in 2024, with a maximum amount of 50,000 $ per grant and no minimum amount.

Eligible fields

• They currently have the capacity to assess applications for grants related to the freedom freedom of expression and academic freedom in the following fields: economics, education, history, law, philosophy, political science, psychology and sociology.
• They are open to proposals in other areas and, if they receive one, will look for evaluators in that area. If they are unable to find assessors in this field, you will unfortunately not be eligible to receive a grant. Projects whose production consists of a distinct work of art - such as a film, painting or poem - will not be eligible for funding under this grant programme.

Eligible financing

• Research fees, paid access to surveys and datasets, interviews and data collection, software, travel to interview subjects, travel to access archival material, salaries of research assistants paid by the hour to work on a grant project, journal submission fees and/or publication fees.

Ineligible financing

• Ineligible uses of grant funds: Retroactive funding of expenses incurred prior to the payment of the grant, computer equipment expenses, living expenses, salary supplements. Conference registration and travel are not eligible.

Eligibility criteria

• At present, candidates must be one of the following:
  • Faculty members - tenured, tenure-track, adjunct or other - at an accredited higher education institution.
  • A doctoral student in an institution teaching accredited superior.
  • Postdoctoral researcher in an accredited higher education establishment.
  • A researcher or fellow from an independent government or academic institution such as a laboratory or think tank.
• All recipients of a grant must sign a grant agreement as a condition of receiving grant funds. Previous applicants may apply. Non-governmental grant recipients must be able to receive money through a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization.

International eligibility criteria

• They accept grant applications from outside the United States. However, FIRE does not distribute grant funds to individuals or organizations in countries subject to sanctions administered by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) or that are on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by OFAC. Grants to international entities must be receivable by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in the United States.

For more information, visit the FIRE website.