This page summarizes current internal funding and other opportunities for BU faculty. If you would like to become a CISS faculty affiliate, please complete this application. For external support opportunities, please consult the External Funding Opportunities page. If you would like to announce a funding opportunity, please share with CISS using our contact form.
Faculty support:
Faculty and staff in need of care may contact:
- The Faculty & Staff Assistance Office (617-353-5381)
- The Center for Teaching & Learning (617-358-0017)
- University Chaplains Office (Marsh Chapel, 617-358-3394)
NEW Call for Submission: Third Spaces Zine – Initiative on Cities (12/1) The Boston University Initiative on Cities is excited to launch Third Spaces: an interdisciplinary, student-led zine that brings together diverse stories on urbanism. Third Spaces celebrates the rich diversity of city life. We foster relationships across communities and hold civic leaders accountable to public needs. Through an interdisciplinary approach, Third Spaces addresses urban inequalities to envision a more resilient, sustainable, and livable future. With a focus on storytelling, we offer a creative platform to share urban narratives. We aim to make urban scholarship accessible by providing researchers, artists, and enthusiasts with opportunities to publish their work. We encourage community members to publish content on urban topics, including but not limited to: Architecture We are currently accepting rolling submissions for our first zine issue. The priority deadline is Monday, December 1, 2025, for your submission to be included in our first issue. Submissions will also be published on our upcoming webpage—on a rolling basis—and can be submitted before or after the December 1 deadline. All BU students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, and external submissions are welcome to submit. Posted: 11/11/25 NEW BU Crowdfunding Do you have a project that could use extra funding to reach its full potential? BU Crowdfunding is here to help you make it happen! We are excited to announce that we are now accepting project submissions for the Winter BU Crowdfunding cycle. This is your opportunity to bring your innovative ideas, service trips, events, or other BU-specific ventures to life with the support of the Boston University community. Why BU Crowdfunding? Important Note: While our team provides valuable resources and guidance, the success of your campaign ultimately depends on your efforts. As the project leader, you will be responsible for actively leading and managing your fundraising campaign. Our role is to empower you with the tools and support you need, but it will be up to you to rally your network and drive the fundraising efforts. Eligibility Requirements: Projects must be affiliated with an official BU club, department, or university-sponsored entity. Unfortunately, BU Crowdfunding cannot be used for projects that benefit individuals personally or to raise money for third-party non-profit organizations. Submit a Project Applications for the Fall Cycle must be submitted by Friday, November 21 by 11:59 pm to be featured during the winter (Feb. 03 – Mar. 04) crowdfunding cycle. Need more info? Come to one of our Zoom information sessions! Session 1: Thursday, November 6 at 1 pm Session 2: Wednesday, November 19 at 1pm Submit a project here. Posted: 11/4/25 NEW Global China Fellows Program (12/19) Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 Global China Fellows Program. The Global China Fellows Program is a flagship program of the Global China Initiative(GCI) at the Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center). Since its inception in 2017, the Fellows Program has supported more than 40 Pre- and Post-doctoral Fellows from around the world to engage in policy-oriented research and commentary on China’s role in (re)shaping global affairs. The Fellows Program provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to engage and collaborate with GDP Center researchers, BU faculty members and Global South-based institutions to conduct policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions to advance financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability. Global China Fellows are paired with a BU faculty member, GDP Center Senior Academic Researcher, or a Non-Resident (Senior) Fellow on one of the four work streams: Data Analysis for Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A.); Forestry, Agriculture, and Indigenous Rights (FAIR); Energy and Climate; and China and the International Financial Architecture (CHIFA). Fellows will spend 20 hours per week contributing to existing research and 20 hours per week on their own independently led projects, while receiving guidance and support from their supervising mentor. Fellows are expected to produce one working paper per appointment year. The primary objective of the Global China Fellows Program is to mold and train the next generation of thought leaders to advance policy-oriented, interdisciplinary academic research on China’s overseas economic activities and engagement. The Global China Fellows Program has a proven track record of bridging the gap between academia and policymakers through policy dialogue, engagement and strategic communications. Required Qualifications: Preferred Qualifications: The majority of the fellowships will be awarded for the 2026-2027 academic year. Fellows will receive a competitive stipend for fieldwork, conference travel, and professional development. Fellows are expected to complete their fellowship in-person at the GDP Center’s offices at Boston University. To apply: Interested applicants should send the following materials in one PDF to the Global China Initiative Team (gci@bu.edu) with the subject line “<<LastName_FirstName>> GCI Fellow Application 2026-2027.” 🗓️Application Deadline: Applications must be received by December 19, 2025, 11:59 PM EST. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with screening interviews starting in October. Due to the volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Posted: 11/3/25 Research Funding: BU Campus Climate Lab | (11/24) Up to $10,000 for projects that support the goals of the BU Climate Action Plan by helping to decarbonize our campus, improve the sustainability of our buildings and operations, and reduce waste and scope 3 emissions. The funding amount can cover student stipends and research supplies. See here for potential research project ideas and here for current and past projects. Eligibility: Open to all BU students and faculty Apply: Click here to learn more and apply! 📅 Application Deadline: Submit proposals by Monday, November 24 at 3pm Posted 10/29/25 BU Faculty Development Seeks Faculty Fellows | (10/31) BU established a new Faculty Development office to help support faculty at all career stages. Faculty participation in this effort will be critical. Today, we are writing to invite nominations and applications from the BU professoriate for two Faculty Fellow positions focusing on supporting faculty in (i) STEM and STEM-adjacent fields, and (ii) social sciences and the humanities. Both Faculty Fellows will work collaboratively at the University and unit levels to develop a variety of programming, groups, and support mechanisms for faculty across our campuses. This will include direct work with relevant deans and department chairs as the provost’s designee. About the Fellowship The Faculty Fellows will review scholarship in the faculty development area and results of our own surveys to identify and address particular areas of concern. For example, the STEM Faculty Fellow will oversee a portfolio of opportunities to raise awareness about issues affecting women in STEM and STEM-adjacent research fields. The Social Sciences and Humanities Fellow will help faculty advance their research agendas and support them in the use of technology. Competitive candidates will have: Candidates should hold the rank of associate or full professor. The initial appointment term is January 2026 – June 2027 and is renewable. The position is part-time, includes a stipend, and will work closely with Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, Maureen O’Rourke and Assistant Provost for Faculty Development and Success Vincent L. Stephens. How to Apply Applicants can upload their CV, cover letter, and a references list at the link below. Applications are due on or before Friday, October 31. For questions, please contact bufacdev@bu.edu. Posted 10/21/25 BU Center for the Humanities On-Cycle Faculty Project Awards | (11/15) Faculty Project Awards are designed to fund the dissemination of humanities scholarship on BU’s campus. Awards to excellent applications from full-time tenured and tenure-track BU faculty in the humanities will be given priority. On-Cycle Awards support projects to take place in the next academic year (AY 26-27). The Center maintains two annual on-cycle deadlines: Nov 15 and Feb 1. 📅 Application Deadline: Saturday, November 15 Posted 10/21/25 Request for Proposals: University-Community Partnership Research Award | (11/19) The BU Institute for Early Childhood Well-Being (EC Institute) is pleased to announce the Request for Proposals (RFP) for our 2026-2027 University-Community Partnership Research Awards (UCPRA). These seed grants support convergent research addressing new approaches for sustaining young children’s overall health, education, and well-being locally and globally through collaborations among BU early childhood researchers and community partners. We are particularly interested in proposals that address threats to early childhood well-being, including the negation of children’s human rights, impact of structural racism on children’s development and well-being, inequities among the social determinants of children’s development, health, and mental health, unequal access to high quality early care and education, chronic stress and trauma, poverty, discrimination based on class, race, sex, gender, language and religion, immigration experiences, new and emerging diseases, and the environmental consequences of global climate change that affect children’s lives. Eligibility: 💰Funding Information: Successful proposals will receive seed funding of up to $15,000 for a one-year project. 📅 Application Deadline: November 19, 2025 Posted 10/14/25 Institute for Philosophy & Religion Advisory Board Nominations | (10/24) For the relaunch of the IPR (Institute for Philosophy & Religion), we are seeking nominations of faculty to serve on an ad-hoc advisory board. (Self-nominations welcome!) The plan is to gather interested faculty for a lunch meeting later this semester and brainstorm ideas of how to make the IPR more broadly appealing and relevant to the BU community. Interested faculty please email Prof. Michael Zank, Director IPR, at mzank@bu.edu by Friday, October 24. Posted 10/14/25 Shipley Academic Innovation Award Call For Proposals | (10/30) The Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning is pleased to announce the 2025–2026 Shipley Academic Innovation Fund to support faculty-led initiatives that advance transformative teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, student success, and innovation in curriculum and pedagogy. The Shipley Academic Innovation Fund is designed to catalyze innovative approaches to teaching and learning, aligned with the university’s strategic priorities. Funding is available for projects that explore new instructional models, integrate emerging technologies, promote inclusive teaching practices, and create high-impact learning experiences for students. The Shipley Center, which is part of the Institute for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, is now accepting proposals for enhancing curricula through creative applications of Generative AI (GenAI). We are seeking innovative ideas that explore new ways of teaching, learning, and assessment using GenAI tools and approaches, and faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. We are currently accepting applications in two areas: Visit our website to learn more and apply today. 🗓️Application Deadline: October 30, 2025 Posted 9/29/25 Junior Faculty Fellowships in the Humanities AY 2026-2027 (10/15) Description The Center has offered fellowships for junior faculty since its founding. All BUCH fellowships are one semester in length. Faculty fellows receive one semester’s leave of absence at full salary. The Center provides their departments with course replacement funds for two courses per faculty member. The Center for the Humanities Executive Committee reads the applications and selects the fellows. Applications are judged on the basis of their intellectual quality and scholarly significance, as well as on their direct relevance to the humanities. Eligibility: Tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply to their deans for one semester of paid Junior Scholar Leave after completion of six semesters of full-time service and a successful mid-tenure review. For more information, please see the Faculty Handbook. 📅 Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 Posted: 09/10/25 Jeffrey Henderson Senior Research Fellowships in the Humanities AY 2026-2027 (10/15) Since 2004, the Center for the Humanities, in collaboration with the College of Arts & Sciences, has offered research fellowships to senior tenured faculty from Boston University. All BUCH fellowships are one semester in length. Faculty fellows receive one semester’s leave of absence at full salary. The Center provides their departments with course replacement funds for two courses per faculty member. The Center for the Humanities Executive Committee reads the applications and selects the fellows. Applications are judged on the basis of their intellectual quality and scholarly significance, as well as on their direct relevance to the humanities. Eligibility Requirements: Senior faculty may apply for fellowship support provided that they are eligible according to current CAS faculty leave policy, which stipulates that a faculty member may take no more than two consecutive semesters of leave and no more than four semesters of leave in any six-year period. Anyone who has held a Henderson Senior Faculty Fellowship (HSRF) may not apply again until five years after the completion of the fellowship. With respect to the current cycle, faculty members who held an HSRF in 2019/2020 or earlier are eligible to apply in fall 2025 for the academic year 2026/2027. Faculty who are awaiting a tenure decision are not eligible to apply. 📅 Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 Posted: 09/10/25 BU Innovator of the Year Call for Nominations (11/1) The Innovator of the Year Award, presented annually by BU Technology Development, recognizes an outstanding faculty member who has translated world-class research into an invention or innovation that benefits humankind. We invite faculty, staff, and students to submit nominations by Monday, November 1. Self-nominations are welcome. Eligible faculty have translated peer-recognized research into products or services of significant value to society, with great potential for practical use, and covered by BU intellectual property protections. View past winners and full eligibility requirements on the Office of Research website. Thank you in advance for your assistance in championing the outstanding, innovative work of your colleagues around the University. Posted 9/19/25 Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) | (11/10) The BU BIRCWH program is a 2-year K12 career development program for early-career faculty interested in careers in women’s health research here at BU/BMC. The vision of the BU BIRCWH K12 program is to promote interdisciplinary women’s health research to improve health quality across the life course. The mission is to develop lifelong independent investigators who contribute to a flourishing national network in women’s health, health outcomes, and sex differences research across the translational science continuum. Eligibility For more information on the full Request for Application, please visit our website here. Questions on this application, please contact BIRCWH @ bircwh@bu.edu 💰Funding Information: 75% protected time for research and educational activities for 2 years with $100,000 annually towards faculty salary support. Up to $50,000 per year in research funding for the Scholar to support research costs and educational components for any proposed coursework. 🗓️Application Deadline: Full Application due Monday, Nov. 10 Posted 9/29/25 The Virginia Sapiro Academic Enhancement Fund enables CAS faculty members to build experiential learning into undergraduate CAS courses, using historic and contemporary Boston as an extended classroom and taking advantage of the city and University as magnets for leading academics, artists, industry professionals, and experts in diverse subject areas. CASDI Rapid Innovation Initiative Fund Applications are open for the CAS Diversity & Inclusion Rapid Innovation Initiative Fund. The Fund is available for CAS affiliated faculty, staff, and students, as well as committees, department, and programs whose projects advance equity related goals as outlined above. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee on a rolling basis and evaluated based on fidelity to the DEI focus, potential impact, and available funds. The recommended grant request amount is $100-$2,500 but each application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This fund was established in May 2021 by Jonathan Broughton Hodge (CAS’97, ’99). If you have reviewed the Crowdfunding Policy and believe BU Crowdfunding is right for your project, please submit an application below. The Application Details section provides an outline of what is needed to submit a project. Need more info before applying? Review the posts in our application phase category for helpful resources before submitting a project. Jewish Cultural Endowment The Jewish Cultural Endowment (JCE) supports Jewish cultural programs across the University, sponsoring lectures, conferences, literary events, curricular enhancement, and artistic performances and exhibitions. Its mission is to foster an appreciation of Jewish culture in all its richness and diversity. The JCE invites grant proposals from individuals (faculty, students, and staff) with access to a BU program administration that will be responsible for planning, promoting and executing the event. JCE funded events must take place on the BU campus and should directly benefit the BU community. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly. There are three submission deadlines each year in February, May and October . All proposals will be discussed and voted on by the JCE steering committee within two weeks of their submission. Future of Learning: AI Grant (FLAG) newly launched initiative will fund small, low-cost, AI-focused projects up to $5,000. Open to Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows, FLAG funding is designed to serve as a springboard for the exploration, design, and implementation of new or improved pedagogical approaches using generative AI in courses and educational programs that support learning for BU students. Learn about this funding opportunity and start experimenting! FLAG Initiative proposals are accepted monthly and reviewed by the leads of the three DL&I units – Center for Teaching & Learning; Education Technology group; and the Shipley Center. Expected response time for submissions is two weeks. This grant will follow the same schedule as our ACT grants. 💰Funding Information: up to $5000 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly Accelerating Classroom Transformation (ACT) Grants The ACT Initiative invites Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows to experiment with learning technologies to improve the BU student experience. Intended to fund small, low-cost, technology-enabled projects, ACT Grants serve as a springboard for the exploration, design, and implementation of new or improved pedagogical approaches in courses and educational programs that support learning for BU students. Individual Boston University faculty and graduate teaching fellows may apply for an ACT Grant. 💰Funding Information: up to $5000 may be used for technology licenses, hourly wages for students to assist with the implementation or assessment of the project, or other associated costs. ACT funds will be distributed to your BU department for management. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling/Monthly Boston University’s Office of the Provost is pleased to announce the return of assessment mini grants, intended to help faculty and staff develop strategies for reflecting on student learning and success. Although all proposals will be considered, preference will be given to proposals that align with the 2030 Strategic Plan. Grant awardees will be expected to present their projects at a newly reinstituted Assessment Symposium. 💰Funding Information: Grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to BU faculty and staff members to conduct program assessment-related projects that directly support student learning and success at either the undergraduate or graduate level. For further information, including the application template, click on the BU Office of Provost site, or contact crstone@bu.edu with any questions about the grants and the application process. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling BU’s Impact Measurement & Allocation Program (IMAP) seeks proposals from BU investigators that aim to explore how sustainable investing practices can contribute to a more sustainable future, with a focus on ESG (environmental, social, and governance) metrics within the financial industry. IMAP is currently prioritizing work focusing on climate risk, carbon accounting, and human capital. Proposals are reviewed year-round. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Call for Applications: Assessment Mini-Grants The Boston University Office of the Provost has announced a new round of assessment mini-grants, intended to help faculty and staff develop strategies for reflecting on student learning and success. Grants of up to $5,000 each will be awarded to BU faculty and staff members to conduct program assessment-related projects that directly support student learning and success at either the undergraduate or graduate level. Although all proposals will be considered, preference will be given to proposals that align with the 2030 strategic plan. Grant awardees will be expected to present their projects at a newly reinstituted Assessment Symposium. For further information, including the application template, please visit BU’s Assessment Mini-grant website. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling New Proposal Development Support: BU is rolling out a suite of research development services to support faculty investigators in securing extramural funding and leading programs for their research, including workshops, templates, and consulting for large-scale, interdisciplinary grants. New resources include an expanded Proposal Library, now browsable by grant component (e.g., biosketches, data management plans), and a recording of a recent workshop on developing plans to promote equitable and inclusive research. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling Faculty Affiliate Program. We are now accepting applications on a rolling basis for Faculty Affiliates. BU faculty and full-time lecturers from across the university who are engaged in research, teaching, or training in social sciences are eligible. Affiliate benefits include (a) opportunities to participate in Center activities and network with social scientists through affinity groups, pilot grant programs, paid student internships, workshops, conferences, and book events; (b) access to Center research support and services, media outreach, and event promotion; and (c) opportunities for leadership including serving on the Steering Committee and subcommittees. Affiliate terms are for five years, contingent on active participation in the Center. Please contact Deborah Carr, Director, Center for Innovation in Social Sciences (carrds@bu.edu), with any questions. 🗓️ Application Deadline: Rolling BUCH Rolling Award Deadlines Fellowships for both junior and senior faculty members that support a semester’s leave of absence for full-time research and participation in the Fellows Seminar. Project Awards that support colloquia, conferences, lectures, and other scholarly programs and events. Publication Awards that defray costs of publishing new monographs. Library Awards that support new acquisitions. Second Book Workshops for faculty. The Center will continue to develop new programs in coming years to meet the changing needs of faculty in the humanities. Please click here and scroll down to join our mailing list and receive our bulletins, which feature weekly humanities events and opportunities. For all other inquires, please use our “Be in Touch” form or send us an email at buch@bu.edu. 🗓️ Application Deadline: RollingFall 2025 Opportunities
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BUild Lab- Catalyst Program 2023-24 Applications Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Journey! Have you envisioned transforming groundbreaking technologies into market-leading products? The BU Catalyst Program is an excellent opportunity for MBA students to learn how to successfully bring technologies to the market!. Program Highlights: Tailored mentorship to conduct customer discovery for the technology. Engage with real-world projects and gain hands-on experience. Official LinkedIn Certification: Showcase your expertise with the “Customer Discovery Practitioner” badge issued by Boston University. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, with the program commencing at the end of October. Seize the opportunity now! Writing Instruction in the Age of Generative AI The Writing Program’s AI-Mediated Writing Committee came together to create a new set of resources designed to support our colleagues as we adjust to teaching writing in the age of generative AI. The committee developed the guide and tips base on readings by experts and their own early experiments with AI-mediated instruction to create resources that focus on the writing process, make connections between writing and critical thinking, and emphasize curiosity, creativity, and reflection.Academic Supports
Instructor-led Training Opportunities: In Person & Online IS&T is offering training courses that cover a variety of topics that will help you reach your goals. We are happy to announce that some trainings are being offered in-person again in addition to the virtual trainings. Secure your spot in a class by signing up through our training website today!! View our full list of instructor led trainings or browse our calendar of offerings and signup for a training., including: BUworks, Educational Technology (Adobe, Blackboard, Qualtrics, etc.), Research Computing (Python, MATLAB, R, Stata, etc.), WordPress/Website
Faculty & Staff Community Networks Faculty & Staff Community Networks (FSCNs), or employee resource groups (see list below), are identity-based organizations led by BU faculty and staff with the goals of building connections and fostering a sense of belonging among their respective community members and allies. The overarching mission: to catalyze a deeper sense of unity among individuals from underrepresented communities and their allies and to ensure that the University remains an institution where differences are understood to be a source of mutual power, insight, and effectiveness. As such, our FSCNs are open to all members of the communities they serve (and their allies). The missions of FSCNs cannot be designed to advance specific political viewpoints or ideologies. Any BU faculty or staff member can start a new FSCN! Click here to learn more about our existing communities or to express interest in starting a new FSCN.Other Supports