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Harvard University, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Grants

2021 (2 years 8 months)
$2,800,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) is the hub of nuclear policy research at the Harvard Kennedy School. Established in 1996 within the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, the mission of the MTA project is to conduct research on how to help minimize the dangers and maximize the opportunities posed by nuclear technologies and nuclear nonproliferation. This award supports a research network to foster new scholarship on nuclear deterrence in the context of the current geopolitical landscape. Network participants include individuals from a global set of academic institutions. Outcomes include a broader and more inclusive set of voices and body of research that pushes the boundaries of current academic debates over how to keep the world safe.

2021 (2 years 4 months)
$850,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) is situated within the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, which is the hub of the Kennedy School’s research, teaching, and training in international security at Harvard University. This award provides MTA flexible funding to support its financial sustainability and its work as a key organization in the nuclear field. This award aims to minimize the dangers and maximize the opportunities posed by nuclear technologies and nuclear nonproliferation.

2021 ( 5 months)
$25,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University provides leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge in the nuclear arena and prepares the next generation of leaders. This award provides support for MTA to conduct a series of brainstorming sessions to explore the possibility of establishing a research network to rethink nuclear deterrence.  These sessions will involve a wide variety of academic and policy experts from around the world who will examine existing gaps in scholarly and policy work and identify research questions for the network to explore.

2019 (2 years)
$670,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) is situated within the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, which is the hub of the Kennedy School’s research, teaching, and training in international security at Harvard University. This award supports MTA’s general operations, through which MTA conducts research, analysis, and dissemination on reducing the risk of nuclear and radiological terrorism; stopping the spread of nuclear weapons; reducing the dangers of existing nuclear stockpiles; and lowering the barriers to the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear energy. It enables MTA to be flexible and responsive to policy opportunities as they arise.

2018 (3 years)
$1,700,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University provides leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge in the nuclear arena and prepares the next generation of leaders. It is one of the Foundation’s five nuclear policy education and training grantees. The award contributes to the support of up to six fellows per year, senior mentors with policy experience, media training for the fellows, and project-related administrative and research activities. Outcomes include a cohort of professionals to lead the future formulation of nuclear policy and engage effectively in the public debate.

2017 (2 years)
$200,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University provides leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge on nuclear matters, and prepares the next generation of leaders. This project was selected through a request for proposals competition, co-organized by MacArthur and Carnegie Corporation of New York, entitled Heading Off Nuclear Catastrophe. It aims to build support for INFCIRC/869, an official document of the International Atomic Energy Agency that calls upon countries to strengthen the implementation of nuclear security policies. The award supports a group of experts that are at the forefront of nuclear terrorism prevention efforts, and is designed to continue progress made during the Nuclear Security Summit meetings.

2017 (2 years)
$600,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University provides leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge on nuclear matters, and prepares the next generation of leaders. This award is in support of MTA’s general operations, through which MTA conducts research, analysis, and dissemination on a wide range of topics related to nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, and arms control. Support allows MTA to be flexible and responsive to policy opportunities as they arise. It also allows MTA to continue to push for progress on continuing program priorities, such as reviving international nuclear cooperation and mitigating risks associated with the spread of nuclear energy.

2015 (4 years 6 months)
$2,800,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University provides leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge in the nuclear arena, and prepares the next generation of leaders. It is one of the International Peace and Security (IPS) program’s five nuclear security education and training grantees. The award supports approximately eight fellows per year, senior mentors with policy experience, media training for the fellows, and project-related administrative and research activities. It equips these fellows to lead the future formulation of nuclear security policies and engage effectively in the public debate.

2014 (2 years 6 months)
$600,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard University provides leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge in the nuclear arena, and prepares the next generation of leaders. Through this grant, MTA develops nuclear policies that could have the biggest effect on reducing the risk of nuclear terrorism, helping to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, reducing the size and risk of existing arsenals, and lowering the barriers to the safe, secure, and peaceful nuclear energy over the next few years. MTA experts develop and promote policy prescriptions through research, workshops, publications, and engagement with policymakers.

2012 (2 years 11 months)
$300,000

The Belfer Center’s Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) conducts and disseminates policy-relevant research on nuclear weapons, energy, non-proliferation and disarmament. “Innovation in Nonproliferation Policy: Finding and Filling the Gaps,” a two-year project, will address issues of shutting down illicit trade in nuclear technology, procedures and protection for proliferation whistleblowers, blocking unconventional proliferation, and strengthening nonproliferation cooperation with China. These activities will result in new ideas for addressing gaps in nonproliferation policies of the United States, international organizations and governments around the world. The grant will be used for salaries, workshops and meetings, honoraria, staff travel, publication, and office expenses.

2011 (2 years 7 months)
$280,000

The Project on Managing the Atom (MTA) at the Harvard Kennedy School provides leadership in advancing policy-relevant knowledge in the nuclear arena, and prepares the next generation of leaders. The purpose of this grant is to help build and sustain a commitment to nuclear security around the world, in particular, by proposing commitments participants could make at the Nuclear Security Summit scheduled for March 2012 in Seoul. The grantee will conduct work aimed at sustaining and improving nuclear security in Russia and beyond, mapping terrorist pathways to a bomb, generating data-driven recommendations on building and sustaining nuclear security commitments worldwide; and promoting nuclear security and safety after Fukushima. This grant fits into the Foundation’s strategy to prevent nuclear terrorism by securing access to fissile material.

2011 (4 years 7 months)
$2,200,000

To support advanced training on nuclear security (over four years).

2009 (2 years)
$800,000

In support of Managing the Atom, an interdisciplinary program of research and training to strengthen scientific advice on international security policy matters (over 18 months).

2009 (2 years)
$800,000

In support of Managing the Atom, an interdisciplinary program of research and training to strengthen scientific advice on international security policy matters (over 18 months).

2006 (3 years)
$261,031

In support of the exploration of preventive defense initiatives and unofficial dialogues with Chinese and North Korean experts (over three years).

2004 (5 years 1 month)
$2,145,000

In support of the Managing the Atom Project (over five years).

2003 (3 years)
$375,000

In support of the Stanford-Harvard Preventive Defense Project (over three years).

2001 (3 years)
$946,000

To support Managing the Atom, a project exploring the scientific, environmental, and security issues associated with nuclear energy (over three years).

2001 (4 years 1 month)
$450,000

To support the Stanford-Harvard Preventive Defense Project (over three years).

1998 (3 years)
$791,000

To support Managing the Atom, a project exploring the scientific, environmental, and security issues associated with nuclear energy (over three years).

1997 (3 years)
$525,000

To support the Preventive Defense Project (over three years).

1991 (1 year)
$25,000

To support the journal "International Security."

1988 (1 year)
$98,500

To support the Nuclear Crisis Project.

1987 (1 year)
$150,000

To support the editorial operations of "International Security" (over two years).