Social Science of Pandemics

ISERP is delighted to announce a new funding opportunity for projects on the Social Science of Pandemics (SSP). SSP grant applications should center on ambitious, feasible, and scalable approaches to the understanding of pandemics. Examples are:

1. Long-term effects of pandemics: clinical, social, and economic effects.  

2. Public health measures as political tools.

3. State and local jurisdiction compacts on vaccines.

4. Engineered pandemics and their lessons: the case of opioids.

Proposal budgets will be capped at $100,000. Interdisciplinary and multi-investigator proposals are encouraged. We are especially interested in funding activities that could lead to sustained support from external sources.  

Eligibility

Faculty, research scholars, and research scientists appointed to one of the six social science departments in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Columbia University, or SIPA, are eligible to apply for ISERP SSP grants. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged. At least one applicant per team must be a full-time faculty member. All team members must play an active role in the proposed project. 

Applicants should submit

  • A summary of up to 300 words
  • A five-page proposal that details the specific aims, background to the project, its innovation/significance, work plan, and specific deliverables
  • A line-item budget, utilizing the budget sheet attached to this call. Please download a copy to complete and submit with the application
  • A budget justification
  • A one-page analysis of the potential for long-term viability (whether through external funding or income generation)
  • A short CV or NSF-style biosketch for each investigator

If you have any questions on your budget, feel free to reach out to ISERP’s Research Development Office.

Proposals should be submitted electronically via ISERP’s website here.

Duration: Three (3) Years

Award Amount: Up to $100,000 

Application Deadline: April 10, 2026

Award Period: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2029

Apply Now