Introduction
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary social science research and promoting evidence-based solutions to global challenges. Founded in 1923, the SSRC supports scholars, researchers, policymakers, and institutions through fellowships, grants, research networks, and collaborative initiatives.
Headquartered in Brooklyn, the SSRC plays a major role in strengthening social science research worldwide. The organization focuses on areas such as democracy, inequality, technology, climate change, public health, criminal justice, education, and international development.
Over the past century, the SSRC has supported thousands of researchers and helped shape important public policies and academic fields across the world.
History and Background
The Social Science Research Council was founded in 1923 by representatives from major American scholarly associations, including:
- American Political Science Association
- American Economic Association
- American Sociological Association
- American Statistical Association
The organization was created to strengthen cooperation among social science disciplines and encourage research that could address pressing social and political issues.
One of the key figures behind the Council’s establishment was Charles E. Merriam, a professor at the University of Chicago and an advocate for data-driven social science research.
During the early twentieth century, the SSRC became part of a broader movement promoting research-based policymaking and interdisciplinary collaboration. The Council contributed to research in areas such as:
- Migration and immigration
- Social security systems
- Economic development
- Crime and justice
- Public administration
- International relations
During the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the SSRC helped support social science research connected to the development of the Social Security Act and other public policy reforms.
In 2023, the organization celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking a century of contributions to social and behavioral science.
Mission and Purpose
The mission of the SSRC is to “mobilize social science for the public good.”
The organization works to:
- Foster innovative social science research
- Support emerging generations of scholars
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration
- Connect research with policy and public practice
- Promote international and democratic knowledge production
- Address urgent social challenges through evidence-based solutions
The SSRC believes that understanding social, economic, political, and cultural systems is essential for advancing:
- Justice
- Democracy
- Human wellbeing
- Sustainable development
The Council emphasizes collaboration between:
- Researchers
- Policymakers
- Civil society organizations
- Philanthropic institutions
- International partners
Governance and Structure
The Social Science Research Council operates as an independent nonprofit organization governed by a Board of Directors and executive leadership team.
Organizational Structure
Board of Directors
Provides strategic oversight, governance, and long-term planning.
Executive Leadership
Responsible for program management, institutional partnerships, fundraising, and organizational operations.
Research and Program Teams
Coordinate fellowships, grants, research initiatives, and policy engagement programs.
International Networks
The SSRC works with universities, foundations, governments, and civil society organizations across multiple regions worldwide.
The organization also collaborates closely with:
- Academic institutions
- Research centers
- Public policy organizations
- International development agencies
Its global network includes more than 250,000 researchers connected through member associations and institutional partnerships.
Funding and Grants
The SSRC supports social science research through fellowships, grants, mentoring programs, and research partnerships.
Main Funding Sources
The Council receives funding from:
- Philanthropic foundations
- Public science agencies
- Universities and academic institutions
- International organizations
- Government-supported research programs
Historically, major supporters included:
- Ford Foundation
- Rockefeller Foundation
- Carnegie Corporation of New York
- Russell Sage Foundation
Fellowship and Grant Programs
The SSRC administers a wide range of programs including:
Research Fellowships
Support doctoral, postdoctoral, and senior scholars conducting social science research.
International Dissertation Research Fellowship (IDRF)
Supports graduate students conducting international research projects.
Criminal Justice Innovation Fellowships
Funds research and innovation in criminal justice reform.
Just Tech Program
Supports socially beneficial technology and AI-related research.
Mercury Project
Funds research focused on improving vaccination uptake and public health communication globally.
Programs and opportunities are available through:
Major Programs and Initiatives
The SSRC operates numerous research and policy initiatives addressing contemporary global issues.
Interdisciplinary Research Programs
The Council supports research in:
- Democracy and governance
- Inequality and social mobility
- Climate change
- Migration
- Religion and public life
- Technology and AI
- Criminal justice reform
Just Tech Initiative
The Just Tech program explores ethical and socially beneficial technology development, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital governance.
African Peacebuilding and Developmental Dynamics (APDD)
Supports African-led scholarship and peacebuilding research focused on development and conflict transformation.
Measure of America
A data-driven initiative focused on human development indicators and inequality in the United States.
Religion and the Public Sphere Program
Supports interdisciplinary research on religion, democracy, secularism, and civic life globally.
Research Infrastructure and Knowledge Systems
The SSRC also works on strengthening:
- Data integrity
- Research ethics
- Scientific collaboration
- Public trust in research
- Knowledge accessibility
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
The Social Science Research Council has had a major impact on social science research and public policy over the last century.
Key Areas of Impact
- More than 15,000 fellowships awarded globally
- Strengthened interdisciplinary research worldwide
- Supported generations of social scientists and scholars
- Influenced public policy through evidence-based research
- Advanced research in public health, democracy, and social justice
Examples of Supported Work
Public Policy and Social Security
SSRC-supported research contributed to policy discussions during the development of the US Social Security system in the 1930s.
Migration and Population Research
Early SSRC projects studied the social and economic impacts of migration and immigration policies.
Technology and Society
Current programs explore the societal impacts of artificial intelligence, digital governance, and misinformation.
Global Public Health
The Mercury Project funds research to improve vaccine confidence and health communication worldwide.
Criminal Justice Reform
The Council supports evidence-based criminal justice innovation and fairness research.
The SSRC’s work continues to shape public debates and strengthen research-based solutions to complex societal challenges.
Conclusion
The Social Science Research Council is one of the world’s leading organizations dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary social science research and public knowledge. Through fellowships, grants, collaborative research, and policy engagement, the SSRC has spent more than a century supporting innovative scholarship that addresses critical global challenges.
Its work in democracy, public health, technology, inequality, climate change, and justice continues to influence academic research and public policy worldwide. By connecting researchers, institutions, policymakers, and communities, the SSRC plays a central role in mobilizing social science for the public good.
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