Take Action: Share Your Message on the Hill in Support of Federal Funding for Our Discipline
There are two upcoming opportunities for MPSA members to meet with their elected officials to help underscore the importance of Federal funding to our discipline: the National Humanities Alliance (NHA) Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day (March 9-11) and COSSA’s Social Science Advocacy Day (March 24-25). To support participation, MPSA funds two grant programs each year for MPSA members to participate in the following events in Washington, D.C. You may apply for one or both of the grants to attend the events.
Consortium of Social Science Association (COSSA) Social Science Advocacy Day (March 24-25, 2025)
MPSA’s COSSA Social Science Advocacy Day Grant
The MPSA will be providing grants of $500 for members to participate in COSSA’s 2025 Social Science Advocacy Day, being held in Washington, D.C. on March 24-25, 2025.
Those selected as grant recipients are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meeting registration, and incidentals. In order to qualify to receive the advocacy day travel grant, attendees must be MPSA members, U.S. citizens, faculty at a college or university or a researcher or professional, and be registered to vote at the national level in the United States.
Completing the application form does not guarantee you will receive a grant. After you submit the form, the MPSA will determine grant eligibility. If you are selected for the grant, MPSA will contact you directly.
Individuals are responsible for registering for the event on their own; submission of the grant application form does not mean you are registered.
Grants will be distributed after your participation in the event is verified. If you fail to participate in the event, the grant monies will not be distributed.
The deadline for applications has passed.
Learn more about the COSSA Social Science Advocacy Day below or visit the event website.
Event Details
WHAT is Social Science Advocacy Day?
Social Science Advocacy Day brings together social and behavioral scientists and science advocates from across the country to engage with policymakers in Congress about issues important to our community, such as federal funding. You will be teamed up with a group of advocates and participate in a day of in-person meetings (Tuesday, March 25) with House and Senate offices on Capitol Hill. Through these meetings, you will share reasons why federal government support for social and behavioral science research is so critical and discuss how you and your institution can be helpful to your elected officials. Advocates will be given all the resources they need to have successful meetings, including a preparatory seminar on Monday, March 24. All of your meetings will be scheduled for you, the only thing you need to do is come to Washington prepared to talk about why you love social and behavioral science!
WHY should I participate?
Funding for federal agencies and programs that support social and behavioral science research is never guaranteed. COSSA needs all social scientists to lend their voices in support of funding for social and behavioral science research programs.
WHO can participate in Advocacy Day?
Social Science Advocacy Day is a benefit of COSSA membership. Therefore, this opportunity is available to individuals affiliated with a COSSA member organization. You are eligible to participate if you are a member of, or employed by, one of COSSA’s member organizations.
WHERE is everything happening?
Washington, DC! The location of the preparatory seminar on March 24 will be decided in the coming weeks. The meetings with your state groups on March 25 will take place in the House and Senate office buildings on Capitol Hill. All appointments will be scheduled for you.
National Humanities Alliance (NHA) Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day (March 9-11, 2025)
MPSA’s NHA Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day Grant
The MPSA will be providing grants of $500 for members to participate in the National Humanities Alliance Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. (March 9-11, 2025).
Those selected as grant recipients are responsible for their own travel, lodging, meeting registration, and incidentals. In order to qualify to receive the advocacy day travel grant, attendees must be MPSA members, U.S. citizens, faculty at a college or university or a researcher or professional, and be registered to vote at the national level in the United States.
Completing the application form does not guarantee you will receive a grant. After you submit the form, the MPSA will determine grant eligibility. If you are selected for the grant, MPSA will contact you directly.
Grants will be distributed after your participation in the event is verified. If you fail to participate in the event, the grant monies will not be distributed.
Individuals are responsible for registering for the event on their own; submission of the grant application form does not mean you are registered. Be sure to indicate during registration that you are an MPSA member to receive the NHA member discount.
The deadline for applications has passed.
Event Details
Welcome Reception – March 9
Connect with fellow conference participants at our evening welcome reception.
NHA Annual Meeting – March 10
The NHA Annual Meeting brings together faculty, administrators, and representatives from scholarly societies, museums, archives, and other humanities organizations and builds their capacity to advocate broadly for the public value of the humanities.
Highlights include:
– Sessions on engaging students in the humanities
– Trainings for Capitol Hill advocacy
– A Capitol Hill reception and the presentation of the Yates Award for Distinguished Public Service to the Humanities
Humanities Advocacy Day – March 11
On Humanities Advocacy Day, state-based delegations will travel to Capitol Hill to meet with Members of Congress and their staff. This is an essential opportunity to build relationships with policymakers on both sides of the aisle and ensure we are well poised to confront threats to the NEH and other federal humanities programs.
We hope that you will join us to continue building bipartisan support for the:
– National Endowment for the Humanities
– National Archives and Records Administration
– Department of Education’s International Education programs (Title VI and Fulbright-Hays)
Prior to Humanities Advocacy Day, we will offer a virtual orientation on Capitol Hill advocacy. New and experienced advocates are welcome—learn more about advocating on the Hill here.