Each year the Weatherhead Center awards a limited number of grants of up to $5,000 to individual scholars to conduct research 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.

Proposals may include requests for Harvard graduate student research assistance, author’s workshops, research-related travel (only when no other funding is available), and other project-related expenses. Direct support for course preparation cannot be funded, but proposals that link courses and research activities can be considered. Requests for the purchase of computers cannot be funded, and equipment requests of other kinds are usually not considered. Funding for book purchases, subscriptions, or photocopying is also generally not approved.

Who is Eligible

All Faculty Associates of the Weatherhead Center are eligible for small grants for faculty research projects.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit a brief but detailed proposal narrative in addition to a budget, a curriculum vitae, and a brief literature review. Questions and proposals should be submitted to Adelaide Shalhope. Applicants are eligible for an award once every three years, though unsuccessful candidates may apply again.

Proposal Evaluation

The WCFIA Steering Committee evaluates research proposals and makes recommendations to the director and the executive director.

Deadline

Proposals for small grants for faculty research projects are considered three times a year. The deadlines for 2007–2008 are October 1, February 1, and April 1. Funding will be available after July 1 for grants that are awarded in February and April.

Terms

Faculty who receive these research grants will be expected to contribute actively to the collective intellectual life of the Center. 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. Funding is available in the year it is awarded, or it may be deferred for one academic year. Reporting memos are due June 30.

Funding Available

Small grants for faculty research projects are normally to $5,000. The funding available is limited; awards will be made through a competitive process, and not all proposals can be funded in an academic year. Faculty Associates are eligible for these research grants once every three years. Faculty should be aware of other sources for research funds including the Clark Funds and Provost’s funds.