IHS funds rigorous, independent scholarship on the institutional, economic, constitutional, and cultural foundations of a free society. Each RFP poses focused research questions; we fund work that best engages them. Awarded scholars retain full independence over design, analysis, conclusions, and publication.
In a moment marked by rising illiberalism and the declining trust in institutions, there is a growing opportunity to explore the ways that technologies of freedom like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and encryption can be deployed to build high-trust, liberal societies.
Nuclear energy has re-emerged as a central component of US climate and energy discussions, driven by interest in advanced reactors, growing electricity demand, and renewed attention to permitting reform. This creates an opportunity to better understand how nuclear energy is governed and how regulatory processes and public trust shape what infrastructure is built and used.
IHS invites academic scholars to apply for funding for research that uses the Cost of Living tool in ScholarsEdge. The Cost of Living tool in ScholarsEdge is an AI-powered research application that aggregates a wide range of economic, social, and environmental data at the ZIP-code level, allowing scholars to quickly analyze and compare local conditions across the US.
Do your research interests sit outside our current RFPs? IHS welcomes proposals that hold significant promise for advancing the liberal intellectual tradition. There is no formal RFP associated with such awards, and funding opportunities are limited and highly competitive. If you have an idea you think might qualify, please send a brief overview to RFP@TheIHS.org, and our team will be in touch about next steps.
No. Applications are open to any eligible scholar at an accredited institution. Prior participation is not required.
Closely. Funding decisions turn primarily on how well a proposal engages the questions posed by the RFP. Proposals that reframe or sidestep the central questions are unlikely to be competitive.
If an RFP isn’t the right fit for your current project, IHS offers additional funding pathways for faculty and doctoral researchers.