The contemporary crisis of liberal democracy has led to an increased interest in deliberative processes and democratic innovation. While deliberative interventions are not a panacea, there’s a growing confidence that citizens’ participation in deliberation can enrich the policymaking process, reduce polarization, and strengthen trust in democratic institutions.

Yet unlocking the full potential of deliberative interventions, while understanding their limits, requires further study. What are the long-term effects of deliberative interventions? Does deliberation actually reduce partisan animosity or increase trust? What impact will AI have on deliberative processes? And, most importantly, when does deliberation strengthen liberal-democratic institutions and when does it undermine them? 

IHS invites applications from academic scholars whose research pertains to deliberative democracy. We are especially interested in proposals that bridge disciplines. Research deliverables can include peer-reviewed publications, policy white papers, or shareable research databases, among other things. Awardees will also be expected to participate in follow-up programming aimed at sharing and refining their research projects. 

Award amounts are based on need.

Please Note: IHS grants cannot support institutional overhead or indirect costs