Increasingly alarming statistics regarding the demographic situation in Armenia and growing migration flows from the country have necessitated policy research in these areas. The Kololian Foundation and the International Center for Human Development (ICHD) invite proposals for innovative policy research projects that have national policy relevance. A grant of up to $25,000 will be awarded to individual researchers or research teams from Armenian universities and think tanks to support investigators from a variety of disciplines for policy research projects in demography and migration.

About The Kololian Foundation and ICHD

The Kololian Foundation is the entity funded solely by the Kololian family of Toronto Canada to pursue social causes in Canada, Armenia and abroad. Vahan Kololian is President of the Foundation. Vahan is also Chairman of the Mosaic Institute (www.mosaicinstitute.ca). Vahan's business and investment interests are conducted through TerraNova Partners, based in Toronto (www.terranovapartners.com).

Established in March, 2000 the International Center for Human Development (www.ichd.org) is a one of the leading think tanks in the South Caucasus and Eastern Europe. It brings together a team of highly-qualified analysts and researchers with strong academic background and substantial experience in both public and private sectors committed to professional excellence and ethics. The Center is a trinity of the team, its achievements and vision.

The Role of ICHD in this Research Project

ICHD will act as advisor to the Kololian Foundation in overseeing the selection process and the subsequent grant management process.

Research themes

The goal of the proposed research project is to study the issues and factors that contribute to the decline of Armenia’s population. It should be able to set out policy alternatives which can, if adopted by the Armenian Government, reverse the tide of population decline. The scope of research themes may include but is not limited to the following:

a) demographic trends in the Republic of Armenia;

b) migration policy in Armenia;

c) existing and possible government policy interventions to encourage inflow of people;

d) doing business in Armenia: ease of entry and establishing a business/bureaucratic issues;

e) land grants and their availability to immigrants and internal migrants;

f) the role of the Diaspora in developing migration policies and processes;

g) attitudes of Armenian residents towards immigration.

Eligibility

Researchers who are nationals and residents of the Republic of Armenia are eligible to apply. Applications can be made by individual researchers or by research teams. In case of a proposal by a research team, the team may include researchers who are non-nationals or non-residents. Furthermore, a research team in Armenia may partner with foreign research organizations.

However, the team or organization in RA must take the lead in such a partnership. As part of research capacity building, joint research proposals by senior and junior researchers are encouraged. Those who are currently studying for a PhD are also eligible to be an applicant as part of a team.

At least one of the researchers on the team should be proficient in English. The final research paper should be published in Armenian and English.

Applicants should indicate the timeframe required for research and producing a policy document of publication quality (suggested timeframe: 6 to 9 months).

Application Requirements

Applicants are requested to submit the following documents in English:

a) Application letter which states interest on the research topic;

b) CVs of the research team members;

c) Abstract (s) from previous research;

d) Research proposal (limited to 7 single-spaced pages) that addresses the following:

• Problem statement/policy issue and its importance

• Theoretical or conceptual framework for the research • Brief review of relevant research/policy literature

• Research questions

• Description of methodology

• Connections between the potential findings and the policy issue

• Brief dissemination plan for this research

• Proposed budget

• Preliminary timeframe

Application Deadline

The deadline for submission of applications is 6:00pm., 31 March, 2012.

 

Application Submission

Proposals must be submitted in English, electronically to:

Tevan Poghosyan [email protected]

with a copy to:

Vahan Kololian [email protected]

Applicants are encouraged to submit proposals in advance of the deadline.

Please contact Tevan Poghosyan if you have questions regarding the application or submission process.