Below represents the Minerva topics of interest for the FY21 funding competition. In framing any Minerva proposal, it is important to articulate the basic science contribution of the research proposed. It is expected that all proposals will have sufficient area and subject-matter experience to appreciate the nuances of diverse local contexts—including the (ethical) challenges posed by different value systems— and proposers are strongly encouraged to review the 2019 Future Directions in Social Science report on the Emergence of Problem-based Interdisciplinarity as a reference for the program’s strong interest in supporting projects that are disciplinarily diverse and committed to addressing problems in innovative ways. It is also expected that proposals utilize both qualitative and quantitative approaches and include validation strategies of the research findings and potential impacts. Further, the program is interested in how the theoretical and methodical approach of the proposed research is generalizable such that it could influence how similar problem sets are approached.

Successful proposals will in some clear way align with the most recent National Defense Strategy. As well, there is strong interest in research proposals partnered with Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Intuitions (HBCU/MI) and other appropriately diverse teams, such as Professional Military Education Institutions, especially as they contribute different perspectives on the social dynamics of the challenges posed below.

Topic descriptions are also available here. 

Topic 1: Social Implications of Environmental Change

Topic 2: Resource Competition, Social Cohesion, and Strategic Climate Resilience

Topic 3: Security Risks in Ungoverned, Semi-Governed, and Differently-Governed Spaces

Topic 4: Analysis of Foreign Influence Operations in Cross-Cultural Perspective

Topic 5: Community Studies on Online and Offline Influence

Topic 6: Computational Social Science Research on Difficult-to-Access Environments

Topic 7: Social and Cultural Implications of Artificial Intelligence

Topic 8: Humans and Outer Space

Topic 9: Management and Information in the Defense Environment