Global China Initiative Core Faculty Seed Grant Program

The Global China Initiative (GCI) Core Faculty Seed Grant Program brings together outstanding Boston University researchers whose scholarship centers around global China.

The mission of GCI is to advances policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions in order to enable financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability.

The program aims to actively support faculty research activities and to foster engagement and collaboration within the BU global China research community at large. With a diverse group of social scientists from different disciplines, including economics, political science, public policy, business and public health, GCI’s research portfolio has generated policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions in order to enable financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability.

GCI Research Programs:
  • Energy and Climate conducts research on the composition and impacts of China’s overseas energy projects.
  • International Economic Order seeks to understand the level and composition of Chinese development finance; the impacts of such finance on growth, stability and sustainable development; and the role of China in global economic governance.
  • Forestry, Agriculture and Indigenous Rights in the Belt and Road Initiative (FAIR-BRI) examines the social and environmental impacts of China’s overseas development finance for forestry, agriculture and indigenous rights in the Belt and Road Initiative.
  • Data for Analysis Transparency and Accountability (D.A.T.A) tracks hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese loans and investment to a variety of sectors to provide transparent information to aid research, policymaking, journalism and accountability with regards to china’s overseas development finance and projects around the world.
Benefits for Core Faculty: 
  • $2,500 seed grant award to advance the Core Faculty Member’s research related to global China at Boston University. 
  • Collaboration with other Core Faculty and researchers to organize and support Initiative-sponsored activities (e.g., seminars, conferences, workshops, etc.). 
  • Engagement with the Initiative’s network of academic, government, and policy partners. 
  • Support on a range of research and policy-related activities from GCI and GDP Center administration, including grant and fellowship management, proposal review, communications and outreach support, conference or event planning, among others. 
  • Eligibility to apply for and receive other GCI-sponsored funding.
Program Details:

GCI Core Faculty are appointed for a one-year term. Applications to the Core Faculty program are evaluated by the GCI Core Faculty members. Appointments are reviewed by the GCI leadership team and may be renewed on an annual basis. Newly appointed Core Faculty will receive a one-time $2,500 seed grant award to further their research related to global China at Boston University. GCI Core Faculty are provided a variety of opportunities to collaborate with other researchers affiliated with the Initiative and interact with a diverse group of academics, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world. Core Faculty also have access to request administrative resources such as event planning, communication and grant support from the GDP Center’s Administrative Staff.

Eligibility:

Core Faculty are Boston University researchers who are pursuing policy-oriented research in fields that are related to and may be supported by the Global China Initiative’s research programs. They must hold a full-time faculty appointment in any one of BU’s schools or departments.

Core Faculty Responsibilities:
  • Contribute to the intellectual community at GCI and at the GDP Center at large.
  • Collaborate with other GCI Core Faculty, researchers, and students on academic and policy outputs that are commensurate with the Initiative’s mission.
  • Actively explore and develop new collaborations within GCI, especially those that span disciplinary boundaries.
  • Participate in events, seminars and meetings that are hosted by GCI and the GDP Center.
  • Mentor and support undergraduate and graduate students who are involved in GCI-related projects and activities.
  • Agree to be identified as a Core Faculty member on the GCI and GDP Center websites.
  • Appropriately acknowledge GCI and the GDP Center in activities, publications and research outputs that result from collaboration with the Initiative’s faculty and resources.
  • Expand the reach of their research by coordinating with the GDP Center communications and outreach team on promotional activities.
  • Contribute to the governance of GCI by attending meetings and sharing their ideas.
Application Requirements:
  • A brief (no more than two pages) expression of interest including:
    • The applicant’s interest in the Initiative
    • A proposed research agenda
    • The specific GCI research program(s) or activities that would be able to support the applicant’s research and policy activities
  • A recent CV.
  • A summary (no more than one page) of key outputs or projects that highlight the applicant’s contributions to research in this area and fit with the Initiative.

Applications to the GCI Core Faculty Seed Grant Program for 2024 are closed.

Current GCI Core Faculty:
Explore GCI Research