BACKGROUND
The APSG is an innovative forum for policymakers and practitioners to discuss both practical and theoretical aspects of atrocity prevention on an unclassified, non-partisan, non-attributable basis. The APSG connects stakeholders inside and outside of U.S. government with scholars and other experts to share resources and knowledge on atrocity prevention and identify challenges, good practices, emerging research, lessons learned, and policy options. It is a monthly forum to keep stakeholders up to date with the latest atrocity prevention scholarship, deepen understanding of potential atrocity situations, and offer resources for decision-making. The APSG is led by Stimson non-resident fellow Jim Finkel and is part of the Protecting Civilians and Human Security program at the Stimson Center.
RESEARCH PRODUCT
The APSG strives to foster new voices and contribute to strengthening the research base on atrocity prevention. We seek proposals for new, short policy papers (no more than 5,000 words) that will examine key and emerging challenges as part of our effort to strengthen atrocity prevention and prevent mass violence against civilians. The papers will be published between April and May 2023 on the Stimson website. Researchers who submitted proposals to the last call for papers are encouraged to apply again.
TARGET AUDIENCE
Our principal audience will include senior and working-level U.S. and like-minded government officials, international organization policymakers, NGOs, and atrocity prevention scholars. Papers should include policy recommendations or new approaches to complex atrocity prevention issues.
POTENTIAL RESEARCH TOPICS
We are seeking research proposals on issues or country situations where there is an emerging risk of mass violence and atrocities to civilians. Some potential topics of research could include:
- The evolution of technology and its potential impact on future atrocities
- Harnessing artificial intelligence to prevent atrocities
- Social media, disinformation, and atrocity prevention/early warning
- COVID and conflict
- Gender, conflict, and atrocity prevention
- Religion and atrocity prevention
- The risk of atrocities in the US
- Climate change and conflict
- Whither R2P?
- Pathways to peace in Haiti
- Improving Washington’s atrocity prevention infrastructure
- The UN’s atrocity prevention infrastructure
- The future and implications of the Global Fragility Act
- Atrocity prevention in the context of rising authoritarianism
- Prevention and non-state actors
- Prevention lessons from Ukraine
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Proposals for work will need to comply with the following indicative timeline:
Timeline
| Contracts issued to successful applicants | February 3, 2023 |
| Concept note and research plan due | February 27, 2023 |
| First draft due | April 3, 2023 |
| Final version due | April 28-May 5, 2023 |
Research proposals should be no more than two pages in length and must address the following:
- Identify the key challenges / problem that you intend to address
- Outline your research methodology and approach
Please also include a copy of your CV and contact details for three referees, along with a quote for work (with a breakdown of estimated hours/days and rates). Successful projects will be funded at a rate of no more than $5,000.
Successful candidates will be engaged as consultants by the Stimson Center.
APPLICATION DUE DATE
Applications will be received on a rolling basis until Monday, January 23, 2023. Proposals should be submitted to Ms. Ilhan Dahir (Protecting Civilians and Human Security Program) at the Stimson Center via email at [email protected].
