The Center for Innovation in Social Science provides 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. This program is generously supported by the T. Scott Miyakawa Endowment Fund for the Social Sciences.
Guidelines and instructions for proposals are provided below. This is a rapid-turnaround process, to help facilitate Summer and Fall ’24 research productivity. Proposals are due April 22, 2024 by 5:00pm; decisions will be issued by May 15, and funding starts June 1, 2024. Funding may be used through December 31, 2024. IRB approval for funded proposals must be approved/pending prior to June 1.
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 our JotForm link.
Applicants may submit more than one proposal, although each must be uploaded as a separate submission.
Eligibility:
- CISS Affiliates (Apply to be an affiliate on our webpage).
- Faculty, full-time lecturers, and postdocs in CAS social science departments or programs (African American Studies, Anthropology, Archeology, History, Political Science, Sociology, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies)
- Graduate students in CAS social science departments or programs (African American Studies, Anthropology, Archeology, History, Political Science, Sociology, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies)
- We will also consider applicants from outside the BU-designated social science departments who are doing research that explicitly addresses core questions in the social sciences or uses social science methods/theories.
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 2024-25.
Undergraduate Research Assistance (Maximum: $2,000)
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 2024. 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: $1,500)
Faculty, full-time lecturers, postdocs, and doctoral students may use funds of up to $1,500 toward travel to (a) present their research at an upcoming professional conference or (b) conduct research off-site (e.g., travel to archives or research sites). Applicants must provide proof that their paper/abstract has been accepted for presentation at a professional meeting. Per University guidelines, funds cannot 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. Per University guidelines, funds cannot be used to retroactively pay for completed training.
Research Supplies Awards (Maximum: $750)
Faculty, full-time lecturers, postdocs, and doctoral students may use funds of up to $750 towards data/transcription, software licenses, books, participant honoraria/transportation or consumable materials necessary to complete their social science research. Each item or group of items should be listed and justified. For further details on allowable purchases, see visit this page.
We anticipate making multiple awards to support all categories.
Submit applications by Monday, April 22, 2024, by 5:00pm via our JotForm link.
Direct inquiries to Deborah Carr, CISS director (carrds@bu.edu).
Note: An informational session will be held on Monday, April 8 from 3:00-4:00pm via Zoom, visit our Zoom page to register.
Examples of previous awardees: