The Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) welcomes grant proposals for research projects concerning the civic education of American students in grades K-12. A generous grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York has made this category of grants possible.

For the purposes of this RFP, "civic education" includes (but is not limited to) instruction in civics, government, and history; student participation in school governance; service-learning; school groups and clubs; and simulations of political processes. We are interested in the effects of these activities on civic engagement, defined broadly to include various forms of political and civic participation and related knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

For projects addressing other aspects of political participation and electoral engagement, see the RFP "Research on Political Participation and Electoral Engagement." For projects addressing youth civic engagement generally, see the RFP "Research on Youth Civic Engagement."

In February 2003, Carnegie Corporation of New York and CIRCLE jointly released a report entitled The Civic Mission of Schools. We are especially interested in research that addresses questions raised in The Civic Mission of Schools or that fills gaps or challenges key assumptions in that report.

While CIRCLE is receptive to proposals across the full range of civic education outcomes and activities, we particularly encourage proposals that address these topics:

1. How do the six "promising approaches" listed in The Civic Mission (p. 6) compare in terms of costs, risk, and effects? Which combinations of these approaches are most effective? Or is it most effective to focus on one approach?
   
2. Which of the 15 "other approaches" listed on p. 29 of the report can also be described as effective? (These are approaches that seem intuitively promising but that lack adequate research.)
   
3. What are the civic impact of school-based organizations and social networks that have young members?
   
4. Which formal subjects should be emphasized? One of the recommended approaches to civic education is formal classroom instruction. We do not know, however, what specific content areas should be taught in order to achieve civic outcomes.
   
5. To what extent are the positive outcomes observed in some service-learning programs the result of self-selection?
   
6. What indicators should be used to assess progress in civic education at various developmental stages from k-12?
   
7. What are the effects of various high-stakes examination regimes on civic outcomes?
   
8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of increasing student voice in school governance?
   
9. What are the differences in the impact of various civic education approaches on various demographic groups, especially new immigrants and students of color?

Under this RFP, CIRCLE will consider proposals that do not fall under these headings, if they directly address the civic education of Americans in grades K-12.

CIRCLE funds research, not practice. However, all CIRCLE-funded research should have implications for specified categories of practitioners such as legislators, candidates, teachers, educational administrators, youth-serving organizations, journalists, professional associations, or nonprofits that work to improve civic education in American schools.

CIRCLE welcomes all recognized disciplines and rigorous research methodologies, including both quantitative and qualitative approaches and multi-disciplinary research.

CIRCLE grants in this category will normally average $50,000. However, we welcome opportunities for joint funding with other foundations, organizations, and agencies. In some cases, CIRCLE may be able to assist applicants in finding co-funders for proposals that exceed $100,000.

Younger scholars are especially encouraged to apply for CIRCLE support, as are research teams that include practitioners. CIRCLE may also support graduate students in the writing of dissertations that specifically address some aspect of K-12 civic education outlined here.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a preliminary letter of inquiry (normally 1-3 pages). Inquiry letters should address the project's goals, the work plan, the qualifications of the persons engaged in the research, the estimated overall budget, and contact information. Applications without an accepted letter of inquiry will not be considered. Mandatory letters of inquiry for this RFP should be sent to CIRCLE no later than Friday, September 19, 2003.

After reviewing all letters of inquiry, the CIRCLE staff will respond with advice about whether and how to proceed to a formal application by October 6, 2003. Full applications will be due November 19, 2003. All applications will be screened by CIRCLE staff. Those approved by the staff will be sent to an appropriate specialized screening committee of CIRCLE's Advisory Board for review. CIRCLE staff will make a final decision. We expect to make final funding decisions by the end of January 2004.

Policies

CIRCLE supports individuals (including academics, graduate students, practitioner-researchers, and independent scholars) as well as appropriate institutions (including research centers, nonprofits, news organizations, and consulting firms).

Overhead or indirect costs are limited to no more than 10 percent of the salaries and benefits portion of the total budget.

When publishing results, appropriate acknowledgement of CIRCLE's support should be given. CIRCLE will post all grantees' work on the CIRCLE website upon completion of a project unless there is a prior agreement not to do so. Data arising from CIRCLE-sponsored research will be made public via the CIRCLE website (www.civicyouth.org) upon receipt of the finished research project unless other agreements are reached in specific cases. In addition, CIRCLE reserves the right to publish summaries of technical research in a format accessible to general audiences.

Carnegie Corporation of New York will retain a royalty-free, nonexclusive and irrevocable license to reproduce, publish, edit, or otherwise use and to authorize others to use published materials resulting from this RFP for Corporation purposes. Edits or adaptations may be prepared in order to facilitate dissemination. It is understood, however, that copyright ownership of material funded under this RFP remains with the author or his/her institution.

Where to Send Applications

Please send letters of inquiry to Dionne Williams, Executive Assistant, CIRCLE, School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland, 2101 Van Munching Hall, College Park, MD 20742-1821. Email applications are acceptable; please send them to Dionne Williams. CIRCLE's telephone number is (301) 405-2790; the fax number is (301) 314-1900.