The Williams Institute’s Small Research Grants program is designed to encourage new empirical research focused on the LGBT population. 

The Williams Institute advances sexual orientation law and public policy through rigorous, independent research and scholarship, and disseminates it to judges, legislators, policymakers, media and the public. A national think tank at UCLA Law, the Williams Institute produces high quality research with real-world relevance.

Applicants for research grants from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds, including social sciences like economics, sociology, demography, social psychology, law, and public policy are encouraged to apply.  This initiative is designed to promote two important goals:

• Fostering sound empirical analyses focused on the LGBT population
• Developing better understanding of the need for and impact of public policies that affect the LGBT population 

Proposals should address both goals.  Another important objective of this funding is to encourage new scholars to pursue research topics in this area.  As such, advanced-level graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply.  Similarly, more senior scholars interested in expanding their research agenda to include LGBT-related issues are welcome.

All proposals must be received by May 1, 2008 and awards will be announced by May 20, 2008.  Projects should be completed by June 30, 2009. 

Examples of topics appropriate for funding include:

• Demographics and socio-economic characteristics of the LGBT population, including same-sex couples, racial and ethnic minorities, the elderly, and youth;
• Issues related to GLB families, with a particular interest in children raised by GLB parents;
• Economic impacts of LGBT-related rights and legislation;
• Use, impact, and evaluation of anti-discrimination statutes, hate crimes statutes, safe schools legislation, civil union, domestic partnership, and marriage legislation, domestic partnership benefits, and legal recognition of parenting rights for LGBT people or same-sex couples;
• Size, demographics, and socio-economic characteristics of the Transgender population;
• Voting patterns and behavior of LGBT population; and
• Analysis of public opinion data regarding LGBT rights.

We anticipate funding five to six projects with a suggested total budget for individual projects in the range of $1,000 to $5,000.  Funds can provide both salary support and costs associated with acquiring and analyzing new or existing data sources.  Proposals that are part of larger research initiatives are also welcome.  We unfortunately cannot provide funding for indirect costs or overhead.  Requests for travel funding should be limited to travel that is needed to carry out the research project.

Details about the application requirements can be obtained from the Williams Institute website.