Neues Förderprogramm "Security, Society and the State" (Gerda Henkel Stiftung Düsseldorf)

Call for proposals

As security-related issues, the fading role of the state and the gradual elimination of borders are central themes in both political and scholarly debates today. “Failing states” as a safe haven for terrorists, transnational organized crime, a loss of overall legitimacy, shrinking state authority in conflict-ridden regions are the relevant keywords in this context.

There is good reason for a more fine-grained perspective, however. Current security issues are multi-faceted and dynamic, ranging from military protection to efficient public infrastructure and a viable social negotiation process. As a matter of fact, the state is not irrevocably losing ground in security-sensitive areas. In some areas of national and personal security, state authority and sound governmental practice are more important than ever.

The “Security, Society, and the State” research programme reflects these contradictory trends. It targets new security-related issues that are prime examples of the post-Cold-War era but have been largely neglected in mainstream research. The programme is intended to encourage junior scholars to pursue unconventional research agendas that are nonetheless crucial, while providing senior scholars with the opportunity to focus intensively on work in progress for a limited period. Moreover, the objective is to combine basic theoretical research with concepts that are applicable to present-day political issues of security policy.

The research programme addresses scholars of all disciplines in the humanities and social sciences. Types of funding mainly include grants for research projects, but also conferences and workshops. Doctoral fellowships are granted only if connected to a research project. Research projects should be closely related to one or more of the five fields of research.

The Gerda Henkel Foundation sponsors the programme in cooperation with the “Cultural Foundations of Social Integration” Center of Excellence at the University of Constance and scholars of the “Normative Orders” Center of Excellence at the University of Frankfurt and the Department of War Studies at King’s College, London. The Foundation’s Board of Trustees decides on the applications on the basis of recommendation by an International Advisory Committee and members of the Academic Advisory Committee.

Topic focuses:
The Gerda Henkel Foundation supports research projects under the following five headings:

1. Cyber Security as a Governmental Task

2. Public Administration and Human Security

3. Patterns of Conflict Resolution between the State and Traditional Actors

4. Non-Governmental Actors as Partners and Contenders of the State

5. Security Strategies between Doctrine Formation and Implementation

Grants
Proposals are invited for existing research projects. The Foundation generally only accepts applications for research project grants from postdoctoral scholars at universities, other research institutes or comparable institutions. The applicants must be actively involved in the research work of the project.

The grants for research projects involve, depending on the type of project, research and PhD fellowships for project participants, travel and material expenses as well as academic conferences and workshops. The costs incurred by visiting (foreign) scholars can also be financed as part of a research project.