*Internet Policy Observatory: Call For Proposals* The Center for Global Communication Studies (CGCS) at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, announces a call for proposals under its Internet Policy Observatory (IPO). One of the goals of IPO is helping to develop a broad understanding of the conditions, processes and stakeholders that drive the development of Internet policies in pivotal countries, and of how those conditions influence developments at the regional and international levels. Proposals should address one or both of the two RFPs described below: * Internet Policy Observatory Regional Hub Grants * Internet Policy Observatory Thematic Grants *Internet Policy Observatory - Regional Hub Grant* The objective of this Call is to add to a global network of Regional Hubs supporting Internet policy research with specific regional perspectives. The purpose of these grants is to encourage research from a variety of disciplines to help further understanding on how global Internet policies evolve. This Call is open to persons and organizations who are particularly interested in Internet policy research, and who are based in countries that are located within (1) Latin America & Caribbean, (2) Middle-East and North Africa[1], (3) South & South-East Asia[2] / Pacific (4) Central Asia[3](5) East Asia[4] (6) Sub-Saharan Africa. Research groups, universities, and civil society organizations which already have research programs on Internet policy issues in the relevant countries and regions are particularly encouraged to apply. Beneficiaries of related, but different grants awarded under the Internet Policy Observatory may also apply to this call. Eligible proposals should address four core deliverables (Please view the full RFP for complete descriptions of deliverables): 1. Hub Study: The Internet Policy Observatory welcomes proposals that seek to investigate Internet policy issues within specific countries within a region, or alternatively the region as a whole. Potential topics to consider range across the wider field of Internet policy, including, but are not limited to, issues of Internet governance, Internet filtration and censorship, implications of military and security services activities and concerns on policy development, to name but a few examples. 2. Hub Survey: Proposals should speak to the organization's capacity to carry out qualitative and quantitative research. As part of the Internet Policy Observatory's effort to create a global Delphi (expert) survey on Internet policy formation, organizations will be expected to incorporate a strategy for the creation and implementation of regional surveys. 3. Hub View: A key task of the Regional Hubs is to regularly provide news on Internet-policy-relevant developments within their region to the IPO website. 4. Hub Action: Each Regional Hub should also propose further, regional specific activity - such as local conferences or workshops - that can be financed directly from the Grant or might be financed from other sources. Grants are expected to be USD 20,000-40,000 per application selected. Applications should be submitted by 5pm EST on September 15, 2013. Click here< http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001SA9uLA9EmV9W36sUgWfXhYR46VPR2EXbmDoduwbG7KwaibsIU8pHwp2FIvaXHXoC2Po9LXe-JCHLeOgi-LgSU6G-plWbOACZ4v59cWjkJUg73LpJ9MW6OqhlKoRKGkeGsbcMqyYEsrBNzuQKi6XGiwvWgahDR9RJocXvT0AvI5U=> for the full RFP, including information about eligibility, deliverables, submission guidelines, and award criteria. *Internet Policy Observatory Thematic Grants* The objective of this Call is to encourage research by individuals and institutions particularly interested in Internet policy issues. This Call is open to persons and organizations who are particularly interested in Internet policy research and who are based in key countries/regions or led by a consortium that is located within the key regions. Research groups and civil society organizations which already have research programs on Internet policy issues in the relevant countries and regions are particularly encouraged to apply. Fluency in English is required both for research and relevant administration tasks. The thematic focus of the proposals may include, but is not limited to, one of the general areas (for full descriptions, please view the full RFP. * Technical developments and Internet policy * Governance and Internet policy * Internet policy and Internet/cyberspace ownership * Social media and Internet policy * The socio-economic impact of Internet policy * The language of Internet Policy Applications should be submitted by 5pm EST on September 15, 2013. Click here< http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001SA9uLA9EmV8284J14FxIJOTNU0B6B6n_8n4YH3EXlhyZhNTgI6cwd_dd_SIP18qOcMKHGXGWv_3O1iq1R85Jns0ipun9XoGQ225Adea3Zi2TdwRa52yBiCO05fnjTjB0e2Ro_WvRngPUPioN4ELy1UEtGsgPVEExdxrl051o9WP9m-_wfO6w9w==> for the full RFP, including information about eligibility, deliverables, submission guidelines, and award criteria. For more information, please direct comments and questions to internetpolicy@asc.upenn.edu. Laura Schwartz-Henderson Research Project Manager Center For Global Communication Studies Annenberg School for Communication University of Pennsylvania 215-898-9727