Minerva Research Initiative
The Minerva Research Initiative supports social science research aimed at improving our basic understanding of security, broadly defined. All supported projects are university-based and unclassified, with the intention that all work be shared widely to support thriving stable and safe communities. The goal is to improve DoD’s basic understanding of the social, cultural, behavioral, and political forces that shape regions of the world of strategic importance to the U.S.
Program & History
Launched by the Secretary of Defense in 2008, the Minerva Research Initiative is a DoD-sponsored, university-based social science research initiative that focuses on areas of strategic importance to the U.S. national security policy.
Administration
The Minerva Research Initiative has a unique relationship between Research and Policy within the DoD, being jointly administered by the Office of Basic Research and the Office of Policy at the US Department of Defense. As such, leadership across the department collaborate to identify and support basic social science research issues in need of attention and to integrate those research insights into the policy-making environment. In doing this, the leadership team closely works with the program managers within the Military Service Branches.
Grants and Fellowships
The Defense Education and Civilian University Research (DECUR) Partnership competition is NOW CLOSED. For more information, click here.
The Bilateral Academic Research Initiative (BARI) Social Science Program competition is NOW CLOSED. For more information, click here.
Minerva's FY23 University Research Funding Opportunity is NOW OPEN! Full proposals are due on May 7, 2024 For more information, click here.
2024 Minerva Meeting and Program Review
SAVE THE DATE for the 2024 Minerva Meeting & Program Review. At this annual event, Minerva grant awardees share research findings with defense policy makers, military operations personnel, and other academics interested in national security.
Pending conference approval, the 2024 Minerva Meeting will be held at the in Arlington, VA from April 16-17.
More information including registration is forthcoming!