RFP: Disciplinary Public Policy Working Groups

For a list of current grantees click here.

The National Communication Association seeks teams of scholars to translate existing academic communication research into recommendations that can inform and impact public policy.  We define public policy in this context as decision-making initiatives engaged in by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community-based coalitions that result in regulations, laws, actions, and other efforts to address contemporary public issues. 

Communication scholars have historically contributed to public policy decision-making in subject areas ranging from health to climate change to media violence.  The range of areas of inquiry in our discipline for which scholarly research can be productively used for applied purpose is vast, and we hope this work will serve to further enhance the societal impact of our scholarship.

Working groups must produce the following:

· White Paper that defines the issue and its significance within a public context, summarizes relevant communication research, and provides specific public policy recommendations based on those research findings.  The White Paper must include an executive summary.

· List of policymakers who could take action on the recommendations presented in the White Paper with reasoning supporting the inclusion of each policymaker.  

· Additional Activities or Materials, as determined by the working group that can be used to further the impact of the team’s work on policy decisions.  Among the many possibilities might be a conference presentation, an article for a newspaper, or a Congressional briefing.

Funding of up to $7,000.00 is available for essential activities as identified by the working group. Funds cannot be used for NCA Convention expenses.

How to Apply 

To submit a proposal, each person in the group must be a member of NCA at the time of submission.  We encourage the development of groups no larger than five people.

In addition to completing the funding request form (downloadable PDF), please submit a proposal of no more than ten pages to NCA Director of Public Affairs and Public Information, Arlyn G. Riskind, at ariskind@natcom.org by 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on October 1, 2013.  

The proposal should include the following:

·  Description of the public policy issues your group proposes to address;

·  Summary of the relevance of the perspectives of our field to these issues as well as any past engagement by communication scholars in this public policy area;

·  Description of the proposed project including the specific activities your group will undertake, the anticipated outcomes and a cost-benefit analysis to demonstrate the value of the recommendations;

·  One paragraph summary/overview of the project that is written for a non-academic audience and can be used in marketing the PPWG grant initiative;

·  Project timeline;

·  Detailed budget request; and

·  Brief professional biography for each team member that focuses on experience relevant to the proposed work, and identification of the group leader.

Obligations of Grant Recipients 

Please download and review NCA’s detailed document describing assessment and reporting obligations as well as requirements regarding promotional activities and sponsorship acknowledgement.  All grantees are required to meet these obligations.

For counsel on proposal development, contact Ms. Riskind at ariskind@natcom.org or 202-534-1104.

For information regarding this opportunity, please contact Arlyn G. Riskind, NCA’s director of public affairs and public information at ariskind@natcom.org or 202-534-1104.