The Center provides funds for faculty-led seminars. The seminars may be for the general Harvard community or for small groups of faculty to discuss current issues relating to the core interests of the Center. This research focuses on international, transnational, global, and comparative national topics and may address contemporary or historical topics, including rigorous policy analysis as well as the study of specific countries and regions besides the United States. The Center’s intention in funding these faculty-led seminars is to stimulate collaborative, cross-disciplinary research or curriculum development.

Center funding for such activities typically covers costs for the meetings (including space), meals, and materials and may also include limited support for the accommodation of visiting speakers or a graduate student rapporteur. Direct support for course preparation cannot be funded, but proposals that link courses and research activities can be considered. Seminars that also carry course numbers may be considered for funding provided the seminar has a direct link to the Weatherhead Center, seeks other sources of funding (e.g., from GSAS) for its programs, and engages at least three faculty members and several graduate students as regular participants.

Who is Eligible

Only Faculty Associates of the Weatherhead Center may apply for this research support, but proposed activities may include other scholars and practitioners inside and outside Harvard.

How to Apply

Any Weatherhead Center Faculty Associate interested in sponsoring and organizing a new seminar series should submit a one- to two-page proposal describing the topic, a list of proposed speakers, an assessment of the potential audience, and a detailed budget. Each proposal is read by the executive director, who makes recommendations to the director. Questions and proposals should be submitted to the executive director, Steven B. Bloomfield. Faculty Associates submitting proposals are encouraged to ask the executive director for assistance in developing a budget.

Deadline

Proposals for faculty seminars are accepted throughout the year. Generally, decisions for new seminars are made in April for the next academic year. Exceptions can be made if resources are available.

Terms

The Center especially welcomes seminars that publish their research in some form, but this is not a requirement. Faculty who receive support from the Center should acknowledge it in future publications of their research. All grant recipients are requested to submit a one- to two-page memo at the end of the academic year reporting on the use of Weatherhead Center grant funds. This report should focus on the intellectual and scholarly results of the project. Reporting memos are due June 30.

Funding Available

Funding varies and is based on the type, size, and length of the seminar. The maximum grant is $3,250, and that amount is reserved for seminars that meet frequently (i.e., weekly). Other seminars are typically funded at $1,600. In the case of initiatives requiring considerably more funding, the Center’s role is usually to provide seed money. Generally, funding is available for a period of three years. For ongoing seminar series, a faculty review committee may conduct periodic evaluations.