Faculty Research Fund: The Intersection of Technology and Geopolitics

Technology’s rise as a geopolitical force in the past decade has been dramatic. It is now at the center of conversations about the contours of the emerging international order, including the competition between the United States and China and the rise of influential voices across the Global South. Technology is shaping prospects for reaching global climate goals and defining new realms of challenges and opportunities for democracies and autocracies alike. Emerging technologies, including but not limited to AI, hold enormous potential to propel progress on societal challenges.

For this reason, the Belfer Center and the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are together calling for applications from Harvard faculty across the University proposing work at the intersection of technology and geopolitics. The Belfer Center and SEAS are interested in research that addresses this intersection in both directions:

--how national and international developments and policy debates affect technologies with geopolitical implications, and 

--how technological advances shape policy debates and the geopolitical landscape. 

Projects with both analytical and prescriptive elements are welcome. Research teams will ideally have a deep grounding in both science and technology, on the one hand, and public policy and international affairs, on the other.

Applications for this Faculty Research Fund are currently CLOSED.

Application process and deadlines:

• By December 6, 2024: Principal Investigator (PI) submits brief concept proposal of no more than 500 words via the Submit button below. Concept proposals are welcome anytime before this date. They should include:

--Research question(s) to be explored and articulated connection to salient themes at the intersection of technology and geopolitics

--Description of research team

--Description of planned research outputs to be conducted with these funds, with approximate timeline

--Explanation of how the proposal fits into any larger research project or effort, whether already completed, in progress, or planned

--Top-line budget including total amount requested and major categories of spending. Please see information on the funding size below.

• By December 16, 2024: Grant committee invites selected PIs to submit full proposals. PIs may be encouraged to collaborate on the basis of initial concept proposals. Full proposals will be submitted via the Submit button below.

• By January 31, 2025: Full proposals are due.

• In February 2025: Funding decisions are announced.