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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<\/a>. For external support opportunities, please consult the External Funding Opportunities<\/a> page. If you would like to announce a funding opportunity,\u00a0 please share with CISS using our contact form<\/a>.<\/p>\n Faculty and staff in need of support can contact:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n Ignition Awards<\/strong><\/a> (11\/13)<\/strong><\/p>\n Do you have an idea for a product or service that can have real-world impact? Are you developing a solution to a market-relevant problem within your area of expertise? If so, you\u2019re likely looking for resources to navigate the entrepreneurial process and transform your innovation into a potential commercial opportunity.<\/p>\n Idea to Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n Demonstrating proof-of-concept using an industry-acceptable model, comparing performance of a device against industry standards, creating a prototype, running an alpha\/limited beta test, etc.<\/p>\n Defining current state of the art, assessing the competitive landscape, identifying key differentiators for your product\/service, understanding the size and segments of an intended market, etc.<\/p>\n More Than a Funding Source<\/strong><\/p>\n The IA is more than a funding source. It is also a support program during which each faculty-led innovation team will have the opportunity to interact with technical and business leaders who will work with you and your team over the next year to refine technical plans and improve your ability to look at the opportunity through an \u201cimpact-potential lens\u201d. Each awardee will have an advisory committee to provide advice and guidance to the project team along the way to achieving defined technical and business milestones.<\/p>\n More than anything, the Ignition Awards are designed to be an educational experience to:<\/p>\n All BU faculty members are invited to submit a pre-proposal for this cycle of the Ignition Awards. Please see application details below. The pre-proposal is not a business plan, although you will be asked to provide information commonly found in business plans. The pre-proposal is the opportunity to \u201cShare Your Vision\u201d and communicate where you are on your entrepreneurial journey.<\/p>\n We understand that all innovations are not at the same stage of development and that the paths to commercialization will vary. You may have researched and then clearly identified a problem in a market in need of a solution, but you do not know how to build the prototype that you envision. You may have an incredibly innovative technology but are having difficulty identifying how to use it most effectively to disrupt a market. We would like you to consider applying to the Ignition Award Program no matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey. Share Your Vision with us!<\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>Faculty Entrepreneurship Team\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>is here to help.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Questions?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>Contact Melinda Shockley at\u00a0<\/span>shockley@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f Pre-Proposal Deadline: November 13, 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n Posted 09\/16\/26<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Jewish Cultural Endowment<\/a> (JCE) (11\/16)<\/strong><\/p>\n Have an idea for a Jewish cultural event at BU?<\/span><\/p>\n A performance, exhibition, lecture, conversation, or literary event can open a new window onto Jewish culture. The Jewish Cultural Endowment (JCE) invites BU students, faculty, and staff to propose programs that bring those experiences to the BU community.<\/p>\n JCE grants typically provide up to $10,000 for events on campus. Proposals should describe a fully-developed program, identify a BU unit that can manage the funds, and explain how you\u2019ll reach and engage the campus community.<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fDeadline: <\/strong>November 16, 2026.<\/p>\n Send your proposal or questions to Theresa Cooney at<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>ewcjs@bu.edu<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Posted 10\/18\/2026<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n Hariri Institute Call for Proposals: FY28 Focused Research Programs<\/span><\/a><\/span> (<\/span>02\/04)<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hariri Institute for Computing\u2019s Focused Research Programs (FRPs) support intensive, faculty-driven efforts in multi-disciplinary teams. The FRP mission is to evolve and advance Boston University\u2019s research in computing, computational, and data-driven science and engineering around areas of strategic importance and emerging opportunity. The programs are designed to facilitate research convergence by providing \u2018scaffolding\u2019 for groups to coalesce in sustainable ways, with the goal of accelerating research for future funding and broader impact.<\/span><\/p>\n Call for Proposals<\/span><\/p>\n The Hariri Institute invites pre-proposals for its\u00a0<\/span>FY27 FRPs.\u00a0<\/span>Proposing a FRP is a two-stage process. FRP\u00a0<\/span>Pre-proposals are due\u00a02\/4\/27<\/strong>.\u00a0Full FRP Proposals are due\u00a04\/1\/27<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n All Boston University faculty are eligible to submit proposals for and participate in FRPs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Important Update for the 2027 FRP Cycle:<\/strong>\u00a0Eligibility requirements and participation limits have been\u00a0<\/span>revised compared to prior FRP cycles. Faculty are strongly encouraged to review the updated eligibility criteria below before developing or submitting a proposal,<\/span><\/p>\n Faculty interested in submitting a FRP pre-proposal are strongly encouraged to discuss their ideas as early as the fall\u00a0with the Hariri Institute\u2019s Director,\u00a0Yannis Paschalidis,\u00a0yannisp@bu.edu<\/a><\/strong><\/span>. Funding decisions are typically made in April or May, following the spring meeting of the Hariri Institute Steering Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n Posted: 05\/28\/2026<\/em><\/p>\n Hub Course\/Cocurricular Propsal Deadlines for AY 2027-2028<\/strong><\/p>\n Proposal submission deadlines for BU Hub course and cocurricular offerings beginning in AY 2027-2028 are Sunday, November 15, 2026<\/strong> (fall, fall\/spring, and summer courses) and Monday, March 15, 2027<\/strong> (spring-only courses). For more details, please visit the BU Hub website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Posted: 10\/19\/2026<\/em><\/p>\n Call for Hub Assessment Grant Applications<\/strong>\u00a0(3\/15)<\/strong><\/p>\n The Hub and Academic Assessment teams are offering grants of up to $5,000 to support teaching in approved Hub courses through assignment (re-)design and implementation, innovation, and experiential learning. We welcome proposals from all faculty and staff teaching Hub courses, but preference will be given to courses approved for those Areas within the Capacities undergoing Hub programmatic assessment during AY 2026-2027:<\/p>\n Diversity, Civic Engagement, and Global Citizenship<\/a>; Scientific and Social Inquiry<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0fDeadline: <\/strong>Applications must be submitted through InfoReady<\/a> by March 15, 2027<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Posted: 10\/19\/2026<\/em><\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n Call for Summer 2027 Pre-College Course Proposals<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Do you have an idea for a course that could inspire the next generation of BU students? The\u00a0BU Summer Term Pre-College Program<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0is seeking proposals from faculty, staff, postdocs, and other instructors in CAS to develop and teach new courses for academically ambitious high school students ages 14\u201317.<\/p>\n For Summer 2027, courses will be offered through the\u00a0Academic Immersion (AIM)<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Summer Challenge<\/a>\u00a0programs. Instructors will have the opportunity to develop a course aligned with their expertise and teaching interests. The proposal process begins with a\u00a0course concept (not a fully developed syllabus),\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>and selected instructors will have additional time to work with the Summer Term Pre-College team to develop their courses before the summer.<\/p>\n For 2027, proposals are especially encouraged in the following areas:<\/p>\n Biosciences (any field)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Medicine\/Pre-Med (any field)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Health Sciences\/Public Health (any field)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Engineering (any field)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Finance<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Marketing\/Advertising<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Leadership<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mathematics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Psychology (any subfield)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sports Business\/Management<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sports Medicine\/Physiology<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/strong>\u00a0Deadline: <\/strong>Course proposals are\u00a0<\/span>due by 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026<\/strong>. Complete details are available on the\u00a0<\/span>Job Opportunities<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>page.<\/p>\n Interested in learning more? Join a\u00a0<\/span>virtual<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/a>Information Session<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>on Tuesday, September 15<\/strong>, from 12:00\u20131:00 p.m. ET for an overview of the programs, the proposal process, and considerations for teaching high school students.<\/p>\n Have a course idea to share? We encourage CAS faculty, staff, postdocs, and other teaching professionals to explore this opportunity to engage with talented high school students and introduce them to the academic community at BU.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n Join the BU Data Analyst Network (DAN)<\/strong><\/p>\n Are you a data analyst or scientist looking to connect, collaborate, and grow within a dynamic community of like-minded professionals? Consider becoming a part of the Boston University Data Analyst Network (DAN).<\/p>\n DAN, initiated by Kelly Lockard and Linette Decarie with the approval of the Strategic Information Group, was founded in 2022. Today, it thrives with over 80 analysts from various departments across BU. It is a member\/analyst-driven effort designed to enhance coordination, integration, and mutual support within the analytics community at Boston University.<\/p>\n Connect with us today and be a part of the BU Data Analyst Network. Together, let\u2019s make our jobs better and easier through collaboration and shared knowledge.<\/p>\n Becoming a DAN member is easy. Simply express your interest by filling out our form, attaching an approval from your manager, signing the Code of Ethical Conduct and Confidentiality, and you\u2019ll be welcomed into a community passionate about leveraging data for success.<\/p>\n Click here to join DAN.<\/a><\/p>\n The activities supported by the fund will complement or enrich students\u2019 experience in your course, giving them the opportunity to\u00a0<\/span>apply material from class<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>and to\u00a0<\/span>learn by doing<\/em>.<\/p>\n Award amounts are typically determined by course enrollment and capped at $45 per student. Current fund levels allow the AEF to support EL activities for approximately 200 students each semester (across multiple courses, if applicable). As of Fall 2024, faculty members receiving awards will be asked to have their students complete a short reflection on their experiential learning activity.<\/p>\n Funding is reserved for new or pilot EL initiatives; activities that are a required part of the curriculum and those integral to the course design will not be supported. AEF funds are intended for one-time purposes only. (Requests for recurring funding should be made as part of the annual budget submission process. Please work with administrators in your department or program to prepare the request.)\u00a0<\/span>View a list of activities previously funded by the AEF<\/a>.<\/p>\n Learn More & Apply<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/strong> Application Deadline: Rolling<\/strong><\/p>\n CASDI Rapid Innovation Initiative Fund<\/strong><\/p>\n 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).<\/p>\n Apply here.<\/a><\/p>\n \ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f<\/strong> Application Deadline: Rolling<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/span>Faculty & Staff Crisis Support<\/h2>
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Fall 2026 Opportunities<\/h2>
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Ignition Awards (IA) support all stages of the innovation cycle from idea to impact. It is a program providing directed resources, both financial and advisory, to innovators who are committed to converting an idea\/innovation into a potential product\/service opportunity that will impact the way we live today and tomorrow. Ignition Awards support steps on the entrepreneurial path by focusing resources to address the early technical and business milestones that if achieved may define your idea\/innovation as a viable commercial opportunity. The Ignition Award funds support:<\/p>\nTechnical Milestones<\/h5>\n
Business Milestones<\/h5>\n
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Spring 2027 Opportunities<\/h2>
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\nCalls for Summer 2027<\/h2>
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Rolling Deadlines<\/h2>
<\/span><\/p>\nOur Story<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Our Vision<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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\u00a0<\/strong>Membership Benefits<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Ready to Join the Conversation?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/strong>How to Join<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n\nThe Virginia Sapiro Academic Enhancement Fund (AEF)<\/strong><\/a> enables CAS faculty members to build experiential learning (EL) 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.<\/div>\n
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