Faculty Recognition & Funding Opportunities – March 1, 2016

posted March 1, 2016

RECOGNITION

Maria Hantzopoulos, Associate Professor of Education, is author of Restoring Dignity in Public Schools: Human Rights Education in Action, newly published by Teachers College Press (February 2016). For many students in urban public schools, the routines of standards-based instruction and frequent testing remove the possibilities for sustained inquiry and critical engagement in school and with the larger world. Drawing from rich narratives of human rights education (HRE) in action, Maria Hantzopoulos shows how school leaders can create an environment in which a culture of dignity, respect, tolerance, and democracy flourishes, providing a viable alternative to the currently favored strategies of increased testing, privatization, and disciplinary control. "This book provides what most of us don’t have: hope that a school based on human rights can actually exist in urban education", notes Sally Lee, Executive Director of Teachers Unite. "With warts-and-all examples, Maria Hantzopoulos’s characteristically thoughtful and nuanced observations will inspire grassroots activists and educators alike to envision something tangible to fight for."

Michele Tugade, Associate Professor of Psychology, is co-editor of Handbook of Positive Emotions, newly published for 2016 by Guilford Press. This volume reviews the breadth of current knowledge about positive emotions: their nature, functions, and consequences for individuals and society. Specific emotions are analyzed in depth, including happiness, pride, romantic love, compassion, gratitude, and hope, while major theoretical perspectives are presented and cutting-edge research methods explained. Implications for physical health, coping, and psychopathology are explored, as are connections to organizational functioning and consumer behavior. "Demonstrating how mature the study of positive emotions has become, this book should play an important role in consolidating future research efforts in the field," writes Dr. Arvid Kappas of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jacobs University Bremen. Dr. James J. Gross of Stanford University offers similar praise: "The Handbook of Positive Emotions showcases exciting developments in the study of positive emotions and highlights key themes of interest to affective scientists, instructors, and clinicians alike."

Richard Wilson, Mary Conover Mellon Professor of Music, will be a featured composer at several upcoming events:

On March 6, 2016 at 3PM violinist Marka Young plays Wilson’s “Diablerie” in her recital at Vassar (Skinner Hall of Music/Martel Recital Hall). Also on the program are works by Debussy, Franck and Laszlo Weiner.

On March 8 at 8PM at the Kosciuszko Foundation (15 East 65th Street, New York City) singers Ariadne Greif and Matthew Patrick Morris join clarinetist Moran Katz and Richard Wilson at the piano in a program entitled “The Songs (Droll and Serious) of Richard Wilson”.

On March 10 at 1PM cellist Jeffrey Zeigler and pianist Pedja Muzijevic perform Wilson’s “Motivations” along with works by Ginastera and Beethoven at Trinity Church (75 Broadway, New York City).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTRAMURAL FUNDING

MARCH 11 The Frances D. Fergusson Faculty Technology Exploration Fund has been created to encourage faculty members to explore the ways in which technology can enhance their teaching or research. Such technologies can include both computer software and peripheral devices. Requests for funds will be reviewed by the Committee on Academic Technologies (CAT), with input from the Dean of the Faculty, and the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Applications are now being accepted for the spring 2016 round of grants. Please note that all applications must be submitted by Friday March 11. Applications should include a brief statement of the need for the technology, how it would be used, the potential impact, and the expected cost. Each application must be reviewed by the appropriate Academic Computing Services (ACS) liaison before the application is submitted. To apply, and for more details about the application process and review considerations, please see the Frances D. Fergusson FacultyTechnology Exploration Fund website.

MARCH 28 Faculty Committee on Research Twice a year, the Committee on Research awards funds for all phases of faculty research, considering projects in early stages as well as those that are near completion. The committee encourages applications where initial funding holds promise for continuing funding from external granting agencies as well as research that falls outside the purview of external funding agencies. In awarding research funds, the committee takes into account the likelihood of the project resulting in a finished product: the publication of a scholarly article or book, or the successful completion of a work of art, the mounting of an art exhibition or a dramatic production. All faculty members, whether tenured, on tenure-track, on more limited contracts, or emeriti, are eligible to apply. Support for summer research is only available to faculty continuing in the fall. When funds are limited and it is not possible to fund all eligible projects, the Committee will give priority to applications from those who are tenured or on tenure-track, and to those who have not recently received support from this committee or other sources. Applications for the Spring 2016 cycle are due by 5PM, Monday, March 28, 2016. Detailed instructions and forms are posted online here. Email attached proposals to researchcommittee@vassar.edu. If you have any questions about eligibility or the application process, please consult the Committee Chair, Pinar Batur, (pibatur@vassar.edu) or Amanda Thornton, Director of Grants Administration (amthornton@vassar.edu).

MARCH 28 Asprey Center for Collaborative Approaches to Science (Asprey CCAS) is now accepting applications for funding for the Spring 2016 cycle. All faculty members on tenure track lines, emeriti and faculty on continuing contracts are eligible to apply. Students also may apply for Student Research Enhancement grants. Instructions and the application form are available at: http://pages.vassar.edu/accas/ Applications for the Spring 2016 cycle are due by 5 pm, Monday, March 28, 2016. If you have any questions about eligibility or the application process, please consult the director of Asprey CCAS, Jill Schneiderman, (schneiderman@vassar.edu). Asprey CCAS fosters the development of a vibrant scientific community in which faculty engage in innovative, interdisciplinary teaching and research, and students are inspired to become confident and competent scientists.

SOME UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS

*MARCH 24 National Science Foundation (NSF) EarthCube is a community-driven activity sponsored through a partnership between the NSF Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) and the Directorate for Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE) Division of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (ACI) to transform research in the academic geosciences community. EarthCube aims to create a well-connected and facile environment to share data and knowledge in an open, transparent, and inclusive manner, thus accelerating our ability to understand and predict the Earth system. Achieving EarthCube will require a long-term dialog between NSF and the interested scientific communities to develop cyberinfrastructure that is thoughtfully and systematically built to meet the current and future requirements of geoscientists. New avenues will be supported to gather community requirements and priorities for the elements of EarthCube, and to capture the best technologies to meet these current and future needs. The EarthCube portfolio will consist of interconnected projects and activities that engage the geosciences, cyberinfrastructure, computer science, and associated communities. The portfolio of activities and funding opportunities will evolve over time depending on the status of the EarthCube effort and the scientific and cultural needs of the geosciences community. This umbrella solicitation for EarthCube allows funding opportunities to be flexible and responsive to emerging needs and collaborative processes; for the current solicitation, visit NSF online: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2016/nsf16514/nsf16514.htm

MARCH 28 NSF STEM+Computing Partnerships Program (STEM+C) seeks to significantly enhance the learning and teaching of science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and computing by K-12 students and teachers through research on, and development of, courses, curriculum, course materials, pedagogies, instructional strategies, models, or pedagogical environments that innovatively integrate computing into one or more other STEM disciplines, or integrate STEM content into the teaching and learning of computing. In addition, STEM+C seeks to build capacity in K-12 computing education with foundational research and focused teacher preparation. Projects in the STEM+C program should build on research in STEM education and prior research and development efforts that provide theoretical and empirical justification for proposed projects. Pre-service and in-service teachers who participate in STEM+C projects are expected to enhance their understanding and teaching of STEM and computing content, practices, and skills. STEM+C invites creative and innovative proposals that address emerging challenges in the learning and teaching of STEM and computing. The program offers proposers two tracks: (1) Integration of Computing in STEM Education and (2) Computing Education Knowledge and Capacity Building. The second track is discipline-specific and may be expanded to include additional disciplines in future releases of the solicitation. For details, visit NSF online: http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?WT.z_pims_id=505006&ods_key=nsf16527

Multiple NSF funding opportunities are now open!

See the full list online at http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_list.jsp?org=NSF&ord=date

MARCH 31 IDEA is accepting proposals for its 2016-17 Impact Grants Program, which includes Teaching/Learning grants and Campus Climate grants. IDEA Impact Teaching/Learning Grants are designed to promote effective student learning through the careful exploration and systematic documentation of the efficacy of various teaching practices, learning environments, and institutional policies. Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to classroom interventions designed to improve student learning; investigations of student and course characteristics that are related to learning; evaluation of innovative teaching methods; methods for engaging students in online courses; innovative approaches to faculty development; comprehensive approaches to teaching evaluation; and the use of student ratings to improve teaching effectiveness. IDEA Impact Campus Climate Grants are intended to support increased knowledge and understanding of campus climate issues that impact student learning and the ability of institutions to successfully carry out their mission. Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to innovative approaches to leadership development; interventions designed to improve institutional, college, or departmental climate; investigations of methods to improve faculty recruitment, development, and retention; and strategies and approaches that improve student well-being. Grants of up to $10,000 will directly support individual faculty members, professional staff, departments, colleges, or programs. Grant recipients will be required to work with IDEA to disseminate their findings through the IDEA website, workshops or presentations in partnership with IDEA, or by writing an original IDEA paper. Application forms and an expense budget must be completed and emailed (as an attachment) by 3:00 p.m. CDT, March 31, 2016. Late applications will not be accepted for any reason. For complete program descriptions, eligibility criteria, application instructions, and the application form, see the IDEA website: http://ideaedu.org/giving/idea-impact-grants/

APRIL 8 National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) announce the Cycle 24 Call for Proposals for Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Observations and funding for Archival Research and Theoretical Research programs. Participation in this program is open to all categories of organizations, both domestic and foreign, including educational institutions. This solicitation for proposals will be open through April 08, 2016 8:00pm EDT. The Astronomer's Proposal Tools (APT), which is required for Phase I Proposal Submission will be made available/released for Cycle 24 Phase I use during the 2nd week of February 2016. Results of the selection will be announced by the end of June 2016. All programmatic and technical information, as well as specific guidelines for proposal preparation, are available electronically from the STScI Announcement Web Page: http://www.stsci.edu/hst/proposing/docs/cycle24announce

*MAY 18 The Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation is accepting nominations for its Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Awards Program, which supports the research and teaching careers of talented young faculty in the chemical sciences at undergraduate institutions. The award is based on accomplishment in scholarly research with undergraduates, as well as a compelling commitment to teaching, and provides an unrestricted research grant of $60,000. Nominees must hold a full-time tenure-track academic appointment, be after the fourth and before the thirteenth years of their independent academic careers, and be engaged in research and teaching primarily with undergraduates. Re-nominations are accepted. For complete program guidelines and nomination instructions, see the Dreyfus Foundation website.

Rolling The Simons Foundation invites Letters of Intent for its new Targeted Grants in Mathematics and Physical Sciences program, intended to support high-risk projects of exceptional promise and scientific importance on a case-by-case basis. For projects with principal investigators at different institutions, the LOI should be submitted by the lead PI and his/her institution. Applicants will be notified within two months of the submission of the LOI. See the Simons Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions: https://www.simonsfoundation.org/funding/funding-opportunities/mathematics-physical-sciences/targeted-grants-in-mps/

Rolling The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation believes that a carefully reasoned and systematic understanding of the forces of nature and society, when applied inventively and wisely, can lead to a better world for all. The Foundation makes grants to support original research and broad-based education related to science, technology, and economic performance; and to improve the quality of American life. The Foundation is unique in its focus on science, technology, and economic institutions. It believes the scholars and practitioners who work in these fields are chief drivers of the nation’s health and prosperity. In each grant program, the Foundation seeks proposals for original projects led by outstanding individuals or teams.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation is interested in projects that it expects will result in a strong benefit to society, and for which funding from the private sector, the government, or other foundations is not widely available. For areas of interest and application instructions, visit the Sloan Foundation online: http://www.sloan.org/major-program-areas/?L=0%3FcHash%3D3abefb807773927e5a962594e662c143

SOME UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING

ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

MARCH 30 (letters of interest) The Russell Sage Foundation invites proposals for its Social, Economic and Political Effects of the Affordable Care Act Grant Program, which supports innovative social science research on the social, economic, and political effects of the Affordable Care Act. The Foundation is especially interested in funding analyses that address important questions about the effects of the reform on outcomes such as financial security and family economic well-being, labor supply and demand, participation in other public programs, family and children’s outcomes, immigrant outcomes, and differential effects by age, race, ethnicity, nativity, or disability status. The Foundation is also interested in research that examines the political effects of the implementation of the new law, including changes in views about government, support for future government policy changes, and impact on policy development outside of health care. Funding is available for secondary analysis of data or for original data collection. Projects that propose novel uses of existing data or analysis of newly available or underutilized data are welcomed. The foundation will not fund research on the effects of the ACA on healthcare delivery or health outcomes (e.g., barriers to implementation, changes in the quality of care and health status, or trends in enrollment and affordability). Grant requests are limited to no more than a two-year period, with a maximum of $150,000 (including overhead) per project. LOIs must be received no later than March 30, 2016. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit full applications by July 15, 2016. For complete program guidelines and to access the online application portal, visit the Russell Sage Foundation website: http://www.russellsage.org/research/funding/affordable-care-act

*APRIL 15 Yale University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and/or Queer (LGBT) Studies Department invites proposals for its annual LGBT Fellowship program designed to provide access to university resources in LGBT Studies for scholars who live outside the greater New Haven, Connecticut, region. The program supports scholars from any field interested in pursuing research in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer studies at Yale University using faculty resources, manuscript archives, and library collections at Yale. The fellowship provides an award of $4,000, which is intended to pay for travel to and from New Haven and act as a living allowance. The one-month fellowship must be taken up between September 1, 2016, and April 30, 2017, and the recipient is expected to be in residence for a minimum of twenty days during the period of their award. Scholars residing within a hundred miles of New Haven are ineligible to apply. For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Yale LGBT Studies website: http://lgbts.yale.edu/research

*JUNE 15 (letters of inquiry) The Russell Sage Foundation’s Future of Work Program seeks research proposals related to the role of changes in employer practices; the nature of the labor market; and public policies on the employment, earnings, and the quality of jobs of American workers. Examples of the kinds of topics and questions that are of interest include but are not limited to changing economies, changing families and policy responses (or lack thereof); economics of productivity and the role of managerial practices in improving job quality; causes and consequences of job polarization; and the effects of long-term unemployment and strategies to prevent long-term disadvantage. Priority will be given to analyses of original qualitative and quantitative data sources, and novel uses of existing sources of data to address important questions related to the interplay of market and non-market forces in shaping the well-being of workers, today and in the future. Awards are available for research assistance, data acquisition, data analysis, and investigator time for conducting research and writing up results. Grants of up to $150,000 will be awarded. Letters of Inquiry must be received no later than June 15, 2016. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals by August 15, 2016. For complete program guidelines, application instructions, and an FAQ, see the Russell Sage website: http://www.russellsage.org/research/future-work

*JUNE 25 (letters of intent) The El-Hibri Foundation (EHF) supports peace education and interreligious cooperation through grants to promising groups, awards that recognize leadership, and programs that promote learning and bridge-building. In 2015, EHF will award new grants of up to $25,000 for projects that address any of the following topics: 1) Demonstrating the impact of peace education on youth through careful assessment; 2) Understanding the relationship between peacebuilding, the social neurosciences, and experimental psychology; or 3) Disseminating information about the shared values of the Abrahamic traditions — Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Priority will be given to applications that focus on disseminating information about positive, prosocial, shared values and activities using diverse communications tools, strategies, and platforms. Applications may focus on sharing information about shared values research, dialogue, or collaborative joint activities involving Muslims, Christians, and/or Jews. Letters of Intent must be received no later than June 25, 2015; selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Visit the EHF website for complete guidelines: http://www.elhibrifoundation.org/grants/seekers/grant-focal-areas

JULY 15 The IEEE Foundation, the charitable arm of technology innovation organization IEEE, has issued a Request for Proposals for projects that raise awareness and understanding of technology and its impact on society. Twelve-month grants of up to $100,000 will be awarded in support of projects that provide technical information at a level that can be understood by the general public; reaches a broad cross-section of society; presents, in a neutral and balanced manner, an analysis of the social benefits and costs of deploying the subject technology; and avoids advocating a particular action but encourages and enables participants to make an informed decision. In addition, projects should directly involve IEEE members, including, as appropriate, student members. To be eligible, applicants must be a part of an IEEE organizational unit, including sections, regions, societies, affinity groups, student branches, and/or major boards. See the IEEE Foundation website for complete program guidelines and application instructions: http://www.ieeefoundation.org/Grants#Focus

Rolling The Jerome Foundation offers grants in support of the creation, development, and production of new works by emerging artists in New York City and Minnesota. Through its General Program, the foundation seeks to support organizations and programs that demonstrate a substantial and ongoing commitment to the creation, development, and production of new works by emerging artists. Priority will be given to organizations and/or programs that foster a deep and sustained engagement between the artist and the organization. Grant amounts are determined on a project-by-project basis. The foundation is open to applications in and across all arts disciplines. However, programs must provide adequate payment to artists for their work and/or offer substantial opportunities to advance their work and recognition. In addition, organizations must have their primary office and operation in New York City or Minnesota. For complete program guidelines, an FAQ, information about previous grantees, and application instructions, visit the Jerome Foundation website: http://www.jeromefdn.org/apply/general-program

Rolling Mellon Slavic Studies Initiative The field of Russian, East European, and Central Asian studies is actively redefining itself in response to the dramatic transformations of the post-Soviet period and the realities of an increasingly interconnected world. To encourage fresh perspectives by emerging scholars of this dynamic region, Northwestern, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin university presses are launching a joint publishing initiative supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Northwestern seeks studies of Slavic literature, art, and culture; Pittsburgh is looking for projects in the social, political, environmental, urban, and cultural history of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia; Wisconsin is especially interested in cultural and intellectual history, literary and film studies, anthropology, and human rights, with a focus on Russia and Eastern Europe. For program details, please visit:

http://www.mellonslavicstudies.org/submissions.htm

Questions about funding for research and scholarship? Contact us:

Judith Dollenmayer (5376, judollenmayer), Associate Director, Corporate, Foundation & Government Relations

Gary Hohenberger (7092, gahohenberger), Director, Corporate, Foundation & Government Relations

Lori McElduff (5490, lomcelduff), Grants Office Specialist

Patricia Pritchard (5893, papritchard), Director, Grants Accounting

Amanda Thornton (5309, amthornton), Director of Grants Administration

Christopher White (7836, chwhite), Associate Professor of Religion and Faculty Director of Research Development

Posted on Tuesday, March 1, 2016

RECOGNITION

***OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTRAMURAL FUNDING***

SOME UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING

Multiple NSF funding opportunities are now open!

SOME UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING

Questions about funding for research and scholarship? Contact us:

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTRAMURAL FUNDING