Overview

Although migration is an age-old phenomenon, its current scale and particular characteristics make it an issue of rising global concern at the outset of the 21st century. Immigration into the United States and Western Europe is only part of a global system of population movement. Worldwide, some 200 million people — three percent of the world’s population — now live outside their country of origin.

In 2006, the Foundation began grantmaking through a new Initiative on Global Migration and Human Mobility. Through this initiative, the Foundation supports a modest number of institutions and projects, with the aim of advancing three main objectives: 1) to develop improved understanding of global migration through support of policy-relevant empirical research and improved sources of data on migrant flows; 2) to encourage better governance of migration at global, regional, and national levels; and 3) to stimulate new thinking on broader issues of global human mobility.

In 2011, the grant budget for this program area is $5.4 million.

What MacArthur Funds

To pursue the goals of the Initiative on Global Migration and Human Mobility, the Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations, including research institutes and universities. Grants are awarded for research and policy studies, dissemination, and related activities. The Foundation is particularly interested in supporting projects that reflect diverse national, institutional, professional, and cultural perspectives on global migration.

Updated January 21, 2011