��ֱ��

Skip to main content

- What We Do
- What we defend
- Have your rights been violated?
  If you face retaliation over protected speech, reach out to ��ֱ�� to learn more about how we can protect your rights.
  Submit a Case
- Make a difference
- Take Action
  Across the nation, free speech rights are under attack. Join us in defending this essential quality of liberty. Make your voice heard and join a campaign.
  Protect Free Speech
- ��ֱ�� Student Network
  ��ֱ��’s 2022 College Free Speech Rankings are based on the voices of more than 44,000 currently enrolled students at 208 colleges and are designed to help parents and prospective students choose the right school.
  Build Your Network
- Resources
- College Free Speech Rankings
  Presented by ��ֱ�� and College Pulse, the 2025 College Free Speech Rankings is the largest survey of campus free expression ever performed.
- National Speech Index
  The National Speech Index is a new quarterly component of America’s Political Pulse, an ongoing weekly survey that will allow researchers to track shifting free speech sentiment in America over time.
  Learn More
Colleges
News
Cases
About Us
Submit a Case

Table of Contents

Calling all free speech scholars! Just one week left to apply for ��ֱ��’s inaugural Free Inquiry Grant program

Don’t miss out on a chance to potentially receive thousands of dollars in research support.

by

Ryne Weiss

September 23, 2022

Lightbulb and the words "Free Inquiry Grant Program"

We are closing in on the application deadline for ��ֱ��’s first cycle in our Free Inquiry Grant program, which ends at 11:59 p.m. PST on October 1, 2022. The Free Inquiry Grant will award $150,000 in its first year, with a maximum grant size of $50,000, to support research on freedom of expression or academic freedom.

Faculty (tenured, tenure-track, adjunct or otherwise), graduate students, post-docs, and researchers at independent institutions such as laboratories and think-tanks are welcome to apply.

More information about FIRE's free speech grants is available in the Call for Proposals, and specific questions will be answered promptly by ryne.weiss@thefire.org. Happy applying, and good luck!

Recent Articles

FIRE’s award-winning Newsdesk covers the free speech news you need to stay informed.

Introducing Expression, ��ֱ��'s official new Substack

June 12, 2025

Free speech has a new home. ��ֱ�� is now on Substack — delivering fearless commentary, analysis, and storytelling straight to your inbox. Join the conversation.

Deepfake AI photo or video in phone

People want AI regulation — but they don’t trust the regulators

June 13, 2025

As AI reshapes the world around us, survey data shows rising support for its regulation. Are we protecting society, or baking censorship into our digital future?

Black man holds Progress Pride flag in front of the Manhattan Bridge

No gay rights without free expression

June 12, 2025

��ֱ��’s latest rankings show alarming support for censorship among LGBT students. But as Kirchick explains, there would be no LGBT rights without free speech.

Private investigator taking photos in his car

University of Michigan has ended private surveillance contracts but the chill on free speech remains

June 11, 2025

After public outcry, UMich ditched its private spy firm — but the damage is done. Students may no longer be watched, but the chill on campus speech is alive and well.

Share

Share this selection via email