Research Funding

Medium Grants for Faculty Research Projects

Highlights

  • The Weatherhead Center supports faculty research projects with grants up to $25,000.
  • The WCFIA Steering Committee evaluates the proposals.
  • Within a three-year time frame, Faculty Associates are eligible for one medium grant of approximately $25,000 for either a conference or a research project.

Faculty Associates are eligible for medium grants for research that brings together faculty from different fields. Proposals for research projects should relate 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 outside the United States. The medium research projects may relate to a subsequent Weatherhead Initiative proposal, and the projects are encouraged to take a similar interdisciplinary research approach.

Who is Eligible

Only Faculty Associates of the Weatherhead Center may apply for this research project funding, but proposed research may include other scholars and practitioners inside and outside Harvard. The purpose of these grants is to enable faculty to initiate research that may evolve into a larger project. (Funding is not intended for completing projects that were begun earlier.) Faculty may seek external funding after this initial grant, but these projects are also eligible for Weatherhead Initiative support.

How to Apply

Any Faculty Associate interested in applying for a medium grant for faculty research should submit a three- to four-page narrative describing the research topic and its significance. The proposal should outline the purpose and goals of the research, provide a brief description of the methodology to be employed, reference relevant literature, and describe the proposed results (article, book, seminar, etc.) and how the research will be shared with the Weatherhead Center community. A detailed budget is also necessary. Faculty may apply for either the forthcoming academic year or for the following year. Please also include a curriculum vitae that includes significant publications. Questions and proposals should be submitted to Kate Brady.

Proposal Evaluation

The WCFIA Steering Committee evaluates these proposals and makes recommendations to the Center's director and the executive director.

Deadlines

Proposals for research projects are normally considered three times a year by the WCFIA Steering Committee. The deadlines for 2008–2009 are October 2, February 2, and April 2. Only in exceptional circumstances will the WCFIA Steering Committee consider a request at other times.

Terms

Faculty who receive support from the Center should acknowledge it in future publications of their research. Professors are encouraged to seek joint support from other institutions and centers. Grant money should not be used to "buy out" a course. It is not expected that these grants be used to cover summer salaries.

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