Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 116-2-4

Title

Long-Term Research Grants

Date(s)

1992 - 1997

Description Level

Series

Extent and medium (processed)

312 CD-ROM, 3.12 linear meters

Context

Archival history

Long-Term Grants program files were digitized 2004 according to archival standards and best practices, and hard copies got destroyed with the consent of the legal successor. At their present status digital image files can be used for research, the finding aid is based on the alphabetical list of grantees. Archival copies of digital image files are saved on magnetic tapes, reference copies burnt onto CDs.

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)

Long-Term Research Grants Program, launched in 1993, became the largest ISF program. Its share of the total amount of program funding was 63%. A distinguishing feature of this program was the fact that it was formulated according to a classical Western model of grant distribution based on an open process of soliciting proposals and an evaluation by international experts using the peer review system. It was designed based on the experience of the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Over 50,000 leading specialists from various countries took part in evaluating the projects. Approximately 250 scientists participated in review panels, 83% of whom were American researchers, 12% were scientists from the FSU and 5% were European experts.
The program was extremely popular. Approximately 16,400 applications were submitted, requesting a total of $900 million. The quality of the proposed projects was very high, but the program's budget was limited to $80 million. Under these circumstances, it was decided to increase the number of grants by decreasing the amount of each award. The grants were categorized into two types: major grants and sustaining grants. Sustaining grants made up 4/5 of all awarded grants with an average of $9,500 each. In addition, allocations were established on various research fields depending upon the number of applications in each specialty area. This provided equal opportunities for competition among the various specialties, which, according to the competition’s organizers, was an implementation of democracy, an important principle in the Foundation's operation. On average, there were 5 applications per grant -- in Russia there were 4 per grant; in Ukraine 7:1, and in Belarus 6:1.
Since a supporting grant in 1994 meant modest support for a group of 3-4 scientists for a period of one year, it was evident that additional sources of funding were needed in order to continue financing the projects in 1995. These sources were found. In the fall of 1994, the ISF signed agreements with the governments of Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and later with Belarus and Georgia, on the joint financing of long-term grants. Consequently, the scientists of the FSU received an additional $30 million in equal, matching contributions from Mr. Soros and the governments of the FSU. The largest contribution was made by the Russian government in the amount of $12.5 million; so that the Russian projects received an additional revenue of $25 million. The value of this stage of the Foundation's activities cannot be overestimated, because the signed agreements meant not only additional funding, but also an official recognition of the Foundation's importance, its methods and the high level of its operation.

Accruals

Not Expected

System of arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by the names of grantees

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access

Access to this series is regulated by the donation agreement with the Open Society Foundations, according to which records are restricted up to 25 years from the date of their creation. OSA maintains the right to review access rules to both restricted and unrestricted records on a case by case basis.

Languages

English

Description Control

Archivist's note

Provessed by Branislav Kovacevic, February, 2009.