Contested Democracy - Short-term

The research programme Contested Democracy concerns the functioning and vulnerability of democracy. The title of the programme Contested Democracy indicates that democracy is never a specific entity. The programme considers democracy as a model and a practice that is continually in a process of redefining, repositioning, reevaluation, relegitimisation and adaptation. This clearly distinguishes the programme from the previous research into democracy and democratisation, in which it was assumed that democracy was a well-defined concept so that answers could then be found to the question: what conditions are needed for democracy to develop and to be viable?

Who can apply

Senior researchers (experienced researchers with a PhD who hold an appointment at a Dutch research institute).

What can be applied for

• personnel costs for a senior researcher
• personnel costs for a junior researcher (PhD) supervised by a senior researcher
• secondment funding for the purpose of programme leadership (maximum funding period 1 year, 0.5 fte
• travelling expenses

When can be applied

Closing date for submitting applications was 15 March 2010 at 12:00 hours. 

Extra Information

In June 2010, the steering group Contested Democracy will decide which applications will be honoured.

Criteria

During the assessment procedure the applications will be assessed using three main criteria: scientific quality, added value and relevance.

I Scientific quality

• originality of the question and/or method/approach
• scientific importance of the proposed research
• clarity of the research question
• suitability of the approach/methodology
• feasibility of the research proposal, including quality of the research group, the infrastructure and the work plan

II. expected policy relevance of the research proposal, apparent from:
1. the relevance for the debate about present forms of democracy, and/or
2. the added value for government initiatives

III. how public debate and, in particular, policy makers are involved in the research

Procedure

The applications will be assessed by the programme committee. The committee will prioritise all applications considered to be fundable and will submit their recommendations to the steering group. The steering group will review the assessment procedure and decide which research proposals will be honoured.

Committees

Programme committee, Steering group

Budget

Maximum per application € 65,000.

Financiers

NWO Divisions for the Humanities and the Social Sciences, External partners (BZK, LNV, VROM, VWS, ROB, WRR, RMO).

Contacts

• Dhr. dr. M.J.H. Linssen
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 06 25, e-mail: m.linssen@nwo.nl
• Mw. drs. L.J. ter Beek
  phone: +31 (0)70 344 09 81, e-mail: l.terbeek@nwo.nl