The University of Notre Dame’s Science of Generosity Initiative has announced a new dissertation fellowship to support research on the science of generosity. Five fellowships of $25,000 each will be awarded for the 2011 – 2012 academic year:
The aim of these dissertation fellowships is to support highly promising graduate students who are conducting research and writing empirically-grounded, social science dissertations examining the origins, manifestations, and/or consequences of generosity. Proposals must clearly demonstrate how the research described in them will directly and noticeably contribute toward a greater understanding of generosity. Doctoral students in sociology, psychology, economics, political science, and anthropology with dissertation projects that clearly fit the stated criteria are welcome to apply.
We are particularly interested in projects that aim to investigate one of three key aspects of generosity:
- The sources, origins and causes of generosity
- The manifestations and expressions of generosity
- The consequences of generosity for both the givers and receivers involved
The following are examples of topics and questions that may be of interest for funding:
- How people originally learn to be generous or not
- The relationship between generosity with money, time, helping, and emotional support
- Institutional and cultural generators of generosity
- The mental and physical health consequences of generosity
- Contributions of voluntary generosity to the common good of society
Applications are currently being accepted and must be postmarked no later than March 28, 2011. Along with faculty scholars, recipients will present their research at a Science of Generosity conference at the close of the award period.
Read more about application guidelines and requirements here.