CRCC Pentecostal and Charismatic Research Initiative

GENERAL

Q: I submitted a letter of intent as the principal investigator for a project, but I have not received notification from PCRI about a full proposal. What should I do?
If you have not received notification regarding the status of your LOI, please contact us immediately.

Q: Where can I download the program brochure?
Click here to download the PCRI Program Brochure (PDF).

Q: Why doesn't my computer recognize the file format of the documents I downloaded?
If you cannot access the PDF files, please download the free Adobe Reader.

Q: What is the geographic focus of PCRI?
Proposals must be focused on one of four regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the former Soviet Union). Comparative research projects are also eligible, including projects that explore the connections between Western countries and one or more of the four regions mentioned above.

Q: Are projects in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey, and the Pacific Islands eligible?
Yes. In general, we are interested in research conducted in non-Western countries. If you have specific questions about the geographic eligibility of your study, please e-mail pcri@usc.edu

Q: Are comparative projects eligible for funding?
Yes. Comparative research projects are eligible, including projects that explore the connections between Western countries and one or more of the four regions mentioned above. Projects that explore connections within or between the listed regions are also eligible

Q: What kinds of activities and research methods will be funded by PCRI?
Research may involve case studies of congregations and movements, interviews with key leaders, surveys of participants, analysis of organizational records, etc. Qualitative as well as quantitative methods are appropriate, depending on the goal of the research project.

Q: Does this project fund only religious scholars or those only from particular faith traditions?
No. Grants will be awarded based on academic merit and not on the religious affiliation of the scholar or research center.

Q: I’m an economist, why should I apply?
We are particularly interested in the economic implications of this fast growing movement. However, scholars from all social science disciplines are encouraged to apply (e.g., anthropologists, sociologists, political scientists, etc.).

Q: Who manages the Pentecostal and Charismatic Research Initiative?
The initiative is housed at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California and is funded by the John Templeton Foundation.

Q: Will PCRI consider projects related to charismatic renewal movements within Orthodox Christianity?
Yes. Projects on charismatic renewal movements within Orthodox Christianity will be considered.

Q: Can I be a principal investigator for both a Regional Center Grant and an Individual Grant?
No. A single person may not be the principal investigator or co-principal investigator on two grants. A scholar may be the principal investigator on one grant and participate in another project in some some manner, but not as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator.

Q: Is it possible to apply for both a Regional Center Grant and an Individual Grant?
You are not precluded from applying for both a Regional Center Grant and an Individual Grant, but you will not be funded for both projects as a principal investigator or co-principal investigator. Please see the answer above for information on a single scholar participating in two projects.

REGIONAL CENTER GRANTS

Q: Who is eligible to apply?
Although proposals may include scholars from North America and Europe, the core component of research staff must be located in the region of focus. Also, at least one of the Principal Investigators must reside in Africa, Asia, Latin America, or the former Soviet Union. There is no requirement that grants include a Principal Investigator from North America or Europe.

Q: Must proposals for regional center grants involve other institutions, or can scholars on only one campus participate?
Either option is possible, although we encourage center proposals to include a number of scholars, including partnerships with other institutions. For example, a regional center in East Africa might include scholars from several different countries or surrounding cities.

Q: Can center grants include scholars from other countries or cities?
Grants will be awarded to a single institution, but a project may include scholars from surrounding cities—or even countries—in the region. These collaborations should be bold, expansive, and calculated to generate substantial new knowledge about Pentecostal and charismatic Christianity.

INDIVIDUAL GRANTS

Q: Who is eligible to apply?
Doctoral students and scholars affiliated with universities, colleges, and research centers may apply for individual grants.

Q: Can Americans and Europeans apply for individual grants?
Researchers may reside in any country, but they must conduct research activities in one of the four regions.

Q: Can more than one scholar apply for an individual grant?
Yes, it is possible for several scholars to jointly apply so long as they are working on the same project. Also, a graduate student and his/her adviser may apply jointly.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Q: How can I apply for a grant?
Interested parties must begin the application process by submitting a letter of intent. Letters of intent should be no more than four single-spaced 12-point-font pages. Please visit the Request for Proposals pages for Regional Centers and Individual Scholars. A select group of applicants have been invited to submit full proposals.

Q: Can I submit a full proposal without an invitation?
Please do not submit uninvited proposals. Applicants were invited to submit full proposals in early October. If you are a principal investigator and you did not receive notification about your letter of intent, please contact us immediately.

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Q: When do funded projects begin?
Grants will be awarded for research conducted over a two-year period, beginning May 1, 2010 and ending May 31, 2012.

Q: Who can I contact if I can’t find the answer to my questions?
Send e-mail to pcri@usc.edu or call +1-213-740-8562.

Primary Contact and PCRI Program Officer:

Ms. Brie Loskota
Managing Director
Center for Religion and Civic Culture