Williams Institute

Request for Proposals

The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public Policy at the
UCLA School of Law invites you to apply for funding to support new empirical
research projects designed to inform legal and public policy issues that
affect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations.

ABOUT US

The Williams Institute is a think tank dedicated to the field of sexual
orientation law and public policy. The Institute supports legal scholarship,
legal research, policy analysis, and education regarding issues affecting
LGBT people.

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

The purpose of these funds is to encourage new empirical research focused on
the LGBT population and policies affecting that population. Applicants from
a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, including social sciences like
economics, sociology, demography, social psychology, law, and public policy
are encouraged to apply. This initiative is designed to promote two
important goals:

* Fostering sound empirical analyses focused on the LGBT population
* Developing better understanding of the need for and impact of public
policies that affect the LGBT population

Proposals should address both goals. Another important objective of this
funding is to encourage new scholars to pursue research topics in this area.
As such, advanced-level graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Similarly, more senior scholars interested in expanding their research
agendas to include LGBT-related issues are welcome.

Examples of topics appropriate for funding include:

* Demographics and socio-economic characteristics of the LGBT
population, including same-sex couples, racial and ethnic minorities, the
elderly, and youth;
* Economic impacts of LGBT-related rights and legislation;
* Use, impact, and evaluation of anti-discrimination statutes, hate
crimes statutes, safe schools legislation, civil union, domestic
partnership, and marriage legislation, domestic partnership benefits, and
legal recognition of parenting rights for LGBT people or same-sex couples;
* Size, demographics, and socio-economic characteristics of the
Transgender population;
* Voting patterns and behavior of LGBT population; and
* Analysis of public opinion data regarding LGBT rights.

We anticipate funding five to six projects with a suggested total budget for
individual projects in the range of $1,000 to $5,000. Funds can provide
both salary support and costs associated with acquiring and analyzing new or
existing data sources. Proposals that are part of larger research
initiatives are also welcome. We unfortunately cannot provide funding for
indirect costs or overhead. Requests for travel funding should be limited
to travel that is needed to carry out the research project.

The full application should include:

1. Research proposal
2. A budget and narrative explaining all items
3. A brief description of any human subject institutional review
board (IRB) procedures that may be necessary
4. Curriculum vitae for all personnel involved in the project

The research proposal component should not exceed three pages, single
spaced. Margins should be 1 inch around with a font size no smaller than 10
point. The research proposal should include the following sections:

1. RESEARCH GOALS: Describe the specific research goals and
objectives of the project and describe how your project will contribute to
the stated goals of this initiative.

2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Describe the project and include the
following information:
a. Relevant scholarly literature that places the study in a
broader research context;
b. Research design, including a description of data and
methods;
c. A discussion of policy relevance; and
d. Expected research publications, etc., that will result
from your project. Note that the Williams Institute will require you to
submit a summary of results for possible inclusion on our website upon
completion of the project.

3. APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS: Describe the qualifications of the
applicant(s) relevant to this research project

Budgets should outline the amount requested and the basis for all cost
estimates. The budget should reflect resources necessary to complete the
proposed project in a timely way. Please list other funding applications
and sources that could support the project if it is part of a larger
initiative. If the overall project budget is greater than the request to
the Williams Institute, please describe any other sources of funding.

Be sure to indicate if the project involves using human subjects, and if so,
which IRB process will be used. All projects using human subjects must be
approved by an appropriate IRB body. If human subjects approval is
necessary, funds will not be released until approval is obtained.

All proposals must be received by May 7, 2007 and awards will be announced
by May 28, 2007. Projects should be completed by June 30, 2008.

PLEASE SEND YOUR PROPOSAL TO

The Williams Institute
UCLA School of Law
Box 951476
Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1476

If you have questions, please contact Lee Badgett:
Badgett@law.ucla.edu