The Pop-Up Journal Initiative

Funding opportunity: Research on the Griliches Question

The Griliches Question

Harvard Professor Zvi Griliches began his pioneering studies of innovation in the 1950's. Datasets and models were primitive then, but everyone quickly realized the importance of estimating the ROI of R&D for managing economic growth and productivity.

Today, for example, the US government spends a little over 0.6% of GDP, or 60 cents out of every $100 produced in the country, on scientific and technological R&D. It does so because it believes the fruits of that research are sufficiently valuable to justify spending. But there is little consensus on how large these benefits are. Are we getting $2 in benefits for every $1 we invest? Or is it more like $20?

Since published assessments of the ROI on R&D vary widely, the consortium's funders are challenging scholars to produce rigorous esearch that can contribute to developing consensus estimates of the return on R&D investments.

This opportunity complements a related initiative from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and Open Philanthropy to begin issuing five-year contracts to groups who can curate progress on answering big questions like this one. Among other activities, curators will produce multiple issues of a "pop-up journal" focused on the Griliches Question, as a new way of organizing research and results.

You will not be required to make use of the pop-up journal, but you may find it satisfying to do so (instead of or alongside pursuing traditional academic publications). For more details on the Pop-Up Journal Initiative, see this page.

Funding Opportunities

In recognition of the importance of the Griliches Question, a consortium of research funders has expressed interest in funding research that can rigorously contribute to developing consensus estimates of the return on R&D investments. This consortium includes the following organizations, as well as other public and private funders domestic and abroad:

  • Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
  • Open Philanthropy
  • UKRI Economic and Social Research Council
  • The British Academy

These funders will make their own funding decisions, according to the process of their choice. We will update this page with information on specific funding opportunities as the information becomes available. Sign up here to be notified when the page is updated.

Application Process

If you'd like to apply for these opportunities when they become available, please submit a brief "letter of inquiry" to info@popupjournal.com. Letters should be 1-2 pages, and should contain:

  1. A brief statement about the nature and purpose of the proposed project;
  2. A description of the proposed work to be supported;
  3. An estimate of the total cost of the project and the amount you plan to actually request;
  4. An estimate of the project's duration;
  5. Your title and contact information; and
  6. The names, affiliations, and titles of other key members of the project, if any.

Review Process

A group of experts — as well as staff from Sloan and Open Philanthropy — will review letters of inquiry on a rolling basis, and provide feedback and letters of recommendation that can be included in applications to the above funders. Note that these letters of recommendation are purely advisory, and do not guarantee funding.

If you have any questions, please contact info@popupjournal.com.

Advisory Board

See this page to learn about our advisory board.