The History & Political Economy Project (HPE) 2025 Summer Research Grant is Now Open for Applications!
2025 Call for Proposals – History & Political Economy Project
The History & Political Economy Project (HPE) is excited to announce that our 2025 Summer Research Grant is now open for applications! This program is designed to support PhD students and early-career scholars in exploring the complex and global development of neoliberalism and its various dimensions. Scholars will receive grants ranging from $3,000 to $4,000 to carry out research during the summer of 2025, with an emphasis on producing historically grounded work that helps us understand the ongoing challenges of neoliberalism in the present-day context.
Research Focus
The HPE project is committed to advancing the scholarly understanding of neoliberalism — its evolution, its global manifestations, and its impact on society and politics. We are particularly interested in historical work that delves into the following thematic areas:
- The Temporal Development of Neoliberalism: We invite research that examines how neoliberalism, both as an ideology and a policy framework, has changed over time. This includes investigating the roots of neoliberal ideas, their development through various historical periods, and how they have adapted in response to global political and economic shifts.
- The Scale of Neoliberal Thought and Practice: Neoliberalism has manifested in diverse ways around the world, from the family unit and workplaces to multinational corporations and international institutions. Research focused on understanding these various scales and how neoliberal ideas influence different sectors of society is highly encouraged. We are looking for scholars who can critically analyze the spread and impact of neoliberal practices across different contexts.
- The Ideas-in-Action of Neoliberalism and Its Contestations: We are keen on moving beyond intellectual histories and inviting work that looks at the practical applications of neoliberalism — the policymaking processes, the building of institutions, and, importantly, the contestation of neoliberal ideas. This includes exploring the political struggles and movements against neoliberal policies, investigating how they have been contested both locally and globally.
Grant Details and Eligibility
The 2025 Summer Research Grant will provide financial support for the following types of historical research:
- Award Amounts: Between $3,000 and $4,000.
- Eligible Scholars: Applicants must be either PhD students or early-career scholars who have obtained their PhD within the last five years.
- Field of Study: The field of study is open, and we welcome applicants from any discipline. However, the research must clearly be historical in methodology and focus on one or more of the thematic areas outlined above.
- Eligible Expenses: The grant can be used to cover expenses such as:
- Travel and accommodation costs for conducting archival or other historical research.
- Digitization and transcription costs associated with historical documents.
- Hiring local researchers or support staff.
- Any other research-related activities that support the historical investigation of neoliberalism.
Application Timeline
- Deadline: The deadline for submitting applications is March 9, 2025.
- Announcement of Awardees: Successful applicants will be notified by April 2025.
- Research Reports: Awardees will be required to submit a research report outlining their activities and findings by October 1, 2025.
- Conference Presentation: Awardees will be invited to present their research findings at an HPE conference scheduled for December 2025.
Application Process
Interested applicants should complete the online application form and submit the following materials as a single PDF:
- Project Description (Max 1,000 words):
- A clear explanation of your research question, the historical methods you will employ, the archival or other sources you will utilize, and the significance of the work in understanding neoliberalism.
- Your project should clearly relate to one of the three thematic areas identified above and demonstrate its relevance to the mission of the History & Political Economy Project.
- Bibliography (1 page):
- A concise bibliography listing the key sources and literature that will inform your research.
- Budget and Timeline:
- A brief budget that outlines expected expenses (travel, accommodation, research support, etc.), along with a timeline for completing the research within the summer of 2025.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV):
- A current CV detailing your academic background and relevant research experience.
Additional Information and Questions
For any inquiries or clarifications about the grant, please reach out to the HPE team via email at [email protected]. We are happy to provide further details or answer any questions you may have.
The History & Political Economy Project is an exciting and innovative initiative that seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the historical roots and global impact of neoliberalism. We look forward to supporting the next generation of scholars in this vital area of research. If you are an early-career scholar passionate about exploring the development, implementation, and contestation of neoliberalism, we encourage you to apply for this unique research opportunity.
Important Dates:
- Application Deadline: March 9, 2025
- Award Announcement: April 2025
- Research Report Due: October 1, 2025
- Conference Presentation: December 2025
We look forward to your applications and to furthering the understanding of neoliberalism through rigorous, historical scholarship!
