We want to create an academic study of How the empathy circle, as developed by Edwin Rutsch, can help resolve polarization between democrats and republicans. Give me a plan on how to fund this study? 

https://claude.ai/chat/912492a2-5163-4150-8271-a0b5c77af66e

Funding Plan for Empathy Circle Polarization Study

Here's a strategic approach to funding this research with direct links:

1. Foundation Grants (Primary Route)

Foundations focused on democracy and civic discourse:

• The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation (democracy, civic engagement)

  • https://knightfoundation.org/apply/

  • Democracy Program: https://knightfoundation.org/programs/democracy/
    
    

• The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (Madison Initiative on polarization)

  • https://hewlett.org/grants/

  • Madison Initiative: https://hewlett.org/strategy/the-madison-initiative/
    
    

• Arnold Ventures (evidence-based policy)

  • https://www.arnoldventures.org/work

  • Contact: https://www.arnoldventures.org/contact
    
    

• The Kendeda Fund (supports dialogue initiatives)

  • https://kendedafund.org/

  • Strategic Directions: https://kendedafund.org/strategic-directions/
    
    

• Carnegie Corporation of New York (democracy program)

  • https://www.carnegie.org/grants/grants-database/

  • Democracy Program: https://www.carnegie.org/our-work/topic/democracy/
    
    

Conflict resolution and peacebuilding foundations:

• The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation
  
  

  • https://www.hfg.org/

  • Research Grants: https://www.hfg.org/research-grants
    
    

• United States Institute of Peace (USIP) grants

  • https://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships

  • Grant Programs: https://www.usip.org/grants-fellowships/grants
    
    

• The Better Angels Society

  • https://better-angels.org/

  • Contact: https://better-angels.org/contact/
    
    

Typical grant ranges: $50,000-$500,000 for academic studies

2. Academic Research Grants

• National Science Foundation (NSF) - Political Science Program

  • https://www.nsf.gov/funding/

  • Political Science: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/political-science

  • Decision, Risk and Management Sciences: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/decision-risk-management-sciences
    
    

• National Institutes of Health (NIH) (if framing around mental health/wellbeing)

  • https://grants.nih.gov/grants/oer.htm

  • Behavioral and Social Sciences Research: https://obssr.od.nih.gov/
    
    

• University internal research funds - Check with your institution's Office of Research
  
  
  
  3. Think Tank Partnerships

Collaborate with organizations studying polarization:

• More in Common

  • https://www.moreincommon.com/

  • Contact: https://www.moreincommon.com/contact-us

• Bridging Divides Initiative at Princeton
  
  

  • https://bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/

  • Research: https://bridgingdivides.princeton.edu/research

• Constructive Dialogue Institute
  
  

  • https://constructivedialogue.org/

  • Research: https://constructivedialogue.org/research/

• The Civic Health Project (formerly Better Arguments Project)
  
  

  • https://aspencivichealth.org/

4. Additional Relevant Organizations

• The Solutions Journalism Network (for dissemination)

  • https://www.solutionsjournalism.org/
    
    

• Convergence Center for Policy Resolution

  • https://www.convergencepolicy.org/
    
    

• Village Square (civic dialogue organization)

  • https://www.tothevillagesquare.org/
    
    

• Braver Angels (polarization reduction work)

  • https://braverangels.org/

  • Research: https://braverangels.org/research/

5. Crowdfunding & Small Donors

For pilot studies or supplemental funding:

• Experiment.com (research-specific crowdfunding)

  • https://experiment.com/
    
    

• ResearchGate (networking and potential collaborators)

  • https://www.researchgate.net/

6. Edwin Rutsch's Empathy Circle Resources

• Culture of Empathy

  • http://cultureofempathy.com/

  • Empathy Circle: http://cultureofempathy.com/Community/Empathy-Circle/

7. Budget Considerations

Estimated costs for a robust study:

• Research personnel (grad students, postdocs): $60,000-$120,000

• Participant compensation: $15,000-$30,000

• Facilitator training/fees: $10,000-$25,000

• Data analysis software/services: $5,000-$10,000

• Publication/dissemination: $5,000-$10,000

Total estimated budget: $100,000-$200,000 for a comprehensive study

8. Phased Approach (Recommended)

Phase 1 (Pilot): Seek smaller university grants ($15,000-$30,000) for preliminary data

Phase 2 (Full Study): Use pilot results to apply for major foundation grants with demonstrated feasibility

Key Success Factors

• Partner with established researchers in political psychology or conflict resolution

• Emphasize measurable outcomes (validated scales for measuring polarization reduction)

• Connect to timely concerns about democratic stability

• Show scalability - how findings could inform broader interventions

Next Steps

1. Review grant calendars (many foundations have specific deadlines)

2. Contact program officers at 2-3 target foundations to gauge interest

3. Develop a pilot study protocol

4. Identify academic partners with track records in polarization research

5. Connect with Edwin Rutsch to incorporate his methodology properly

Would you like me to help draft specific grant proposals or research design elements that would make your application more competitive?