CISS Invites Proposals for Summer Mini-Grants (Due April 24)
The Center for Innovation in Social Science is pleased to release a call for proposals for small grants to support faculty (tenure-track and full-time lecturers), postdoc, and graduate student research in the social sciences. The grants are intended to help foster new research or enhance in-progress projects. (See Summer 2022 recipients here). Guidelines and instructions for proposals are provided below. This is a rapid-turnaround process, to help facilitate Summer ’23 research productivity. Proposals are due April 24, 2023; decisions will be issued by May 15, and funding starts June 1, 2023. Funding may be used through December 31, 2023. IRB approval for funded proposals must be approved/pending prior to June 1. (for PDF of call, click here: CISS Summer 2023 Minigrant Call).
All applications must include:
- Brief description (no more than 1,000 words) of the research project and intended outcomes (e.g., conference presentation, journal article)
- Detailed budget and justification
- Project timeline
- Statement of other funding support for the research project (where applicable)
- Intended personnel, including student research assistants or research consultants (where applicable).
- Investigator CV
Applications should be prepared as a single PDF file and uploaded to this website.
Eligibility:
Faculty, full-time lecturers, and postdocs who are affiliates of the Center for Innovation in Social Science. (Apply to be an affiliate here).
Graduate students in a CAS social science department or program (Anthropology, History, Political Science, Sociology, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies).
Applicants may submit more than one proposal, although each must be uploaded as a separate submission.
Criteria:
Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of the project’s significance, feasibility, and demonstrated need for funding. Each awardee is required to submit a report to the Center Director within 90 days of completion of the project. Some applicants will be invited to present grant-supported research findings at a Center-sponsored research showcase in AY 2023-24.
Undergraduate Research Assistance (Maximum: $1,500)
Faculty members, full-time lecturers, postdocs, or graduate students may apply for funds to support undergraduate research assistance. The student may assist with meaningful research activities such as data collection, analysis, or library research during Summer or Fall 2023. Minimum hourly rate is $15 per hour. The Center can help funded applicants to identify undergraduate research assistant candidates.
Research Consultancies (Maximum: $1,000)
Faculty, full-time lecturers, and postdocs may use funds to provide honoraria for: (a) consultant(s) on a book prospectus or manuscript, or (b) an expert to provide feedback on a new or revised grant proposal for external funding. Consultants must be substantive or methodological experts; funds cannot be used to support editorial assistance.
Travel Awards (Maximum: $500)
Faculty, full-time lecturers, postdocs, and doctoral students may use funds of up to $500 toward travel to (a) present their research at an upcoming professional conference or (b) conduct research off-site (e.g., travel to archives or interview sites). Applicants must provide proof that their paper/abstract has been accepted for presentation at a professional meeting. Funds may not be used to retroactively pay for completed travel.
Training Support Awards (Maximum: $500)
Faculty, full-time lecturers, postdocs, and doctoral students may use funds of up to $500 to defray the costs of training opportunities (e.g., methodological or data workshops). Applicants must provide proof of cost of registration for/participation in the program for which funds are requested. The funds may not be used to retroactively pay for completed training.
We anticipate making up to seven awards to support research assistance or research consultancies, and six awards for travel and training.
Submit applications by Monday, April 24, 2023 by 5:00pm here.
Direct inquiries to Deborah Carr, CISS director (carrds@bu.edu). An informational session will be held on Monday April 10 from 3:30-4:30 pm. via Zoom. Please register here.