Opportunities for Researchers, Technologists, and Practitioners
The Carnegie Ethics Accelerator partners with qualifying teams (two or three+ individuals) working to address emerging ethical issues in technology and public policy. Projects should be based on a clear and succinct research question with profound ethical implications.
Previous Accelerator projects have focused on:
- mapping the impact of data fusion technology on human rights
- accelerating climate action in cities using applied ethics strategies
- recommendations for diplomatic organizations to better manage the tradeoffs associated with using large language models in their operations
Selected teams should have:
- demonstrable expertise in their research domain
- interest in developing an ethics-based output with the prospect of real-world application
- a growing network of relevant professional connections who would be interested in attending Ethics Accelerator workshops on the topic
- availability to work closely with Carnegie Council for a 15-month period following proposal acceptance and funding
Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis. If a proposal advances to the next stage of review, the submitter will receive an introductory email within sixty days of submission, inviting them to participate in a discovery call and to learn more about the collaboration process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please review the Accelerator methodology and frequently asked questions below prior to beginning work on your submission. All proposals must be submitted through the form below on this page. While Carnegie Council can guarantee that all proposal submissions are reviewed by the Accelerator team, we cannot guarantee an individual response to each proposal.
Your research proposal should outline a pressing ethical issue currently impacting international affairs, one that could be addressed or mitigated by a digital solution. The proposal does not need to detail a specific software or tool, but should include content that demonstrates a gap in digital resourcing where new approaches could meaningfully improve outcomes. Provide some preliminary thinking on what an output from the Accelerator project could attempt to accomplish and why now is the time to develop it.
To learn more about the issues underpinning Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affair’s work, visit our Initiatives & Issues Overview page.
Candidates should possess doctoral-level expertise, whether through a Ph.D. or equivalent applied experiences.
If a submission meets the criteria utilized by Carnegie Council's leadership team during its evaluation of the proposal, the Ethics Accelerator Lead will reach out to schedule a 30-minute discovery call. The discovery call is used for the submitter and the Ethics Accelerator team to align on expectations during both the funding and project periods.
If a proposal is selected, has pre-existing funding, or receives support from a Carnegie Ethics Accelerator funding partner, the lead researcher will join Carnegie Council’s network as a Non-Resident Fellow for the duration of the project.
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline for Ethics Accelerator projects as each project may require a different number of convenings, a different length of time to develop an applied output, a different amount of funding to run communications and promotional campaigns post-launch, and so on . . .
However, a typical project timeline could look like:
- 3 months spent preparing for the single or multi-day convening at Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs: preparing agendas and invitations lists, acquiring RSVPs, briefing agency partners, securing catering and hotels, and running the convenings themselves
- 9 to 12 months taking the wireframes developed during the convenings and turning them into a working prototype in collaboration with the Accelerator’s software development partner
- 3 months running promotional and communications campaigns targeting specific audiences, gathering feedback, and tracking performance
The timeline above assumes a fully funded project. If a research team is seeking funding, they will work with the Council’s Development Team and the Ethics Accelerator Lead to secure funding for the project in advance of the first 3-month preparation period.
Research teams for approved Accelerator projects will receive direct support from Council Staff in the planning, execution, and delivery of Accelerator convenings and public-facing outputs. This includes topic and convening invitee research, access to the Council's networks, convening planning, catering and staffing, workshop facilitation, notetaking and minutes delivery, software wireframing and development, and more. Each contributing member of a research team supported by a Carnegie Ethics Accelerator funding partner will receive $2,500.00 USD monthly for the duration of the project so long as each member is meeting the requirements of a signed Terms of Reference.
For any questions related to the Accelerator methodology, the contents of a high-quality proposal, or what the Council's Leadership team is looking for, please reach out to Samuel Bradshaw.