Faculty Recognition & Funding Opportunities – October 15, 2016
RECOGNITION
April M. Beisaw, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, was awarded a cooperative agreement by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (NPS) to conduct and complete archaeological identification and evaluation at three historic disposal sites within the Roosevelt Vanderbilt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, New York. The project will support NPS’s management of cultural and natural resources at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-Kill and the Vanderbilt Mansion while providing educational and experiential opportunities to Vassar students.
Nancy Ide, Professor of Computer Science, was awarded a grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for her role in a collaborative project that will advance a web service infrastructure to support research and development of applications for language analysis. This grant, from the Foundation’s Scholarly Communications program, will facilitate collaboration between a European infrastructure consortium and the U.S.-based Language Application Grid network, for which Vassar is the lead institution, in making their respective services mutually accessible and interoperable. The result will be a meta-framework with the potential to transform scholarship and development across the sciences, languages and digital humanities through an unprecedented level of access to a range of tools and resources. The grant project is spearheaded by Dr. Ide and James Pustejovsky at Brandeis University, in collaboration with researchers at Charles University in Prague and the University of Tübingen (Germany).
Colette Salyk, Assistant Professor of Astronomy, was awarded research funding by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for her role in a collaborative project with Space Telescope Science Institute. Of the 110 proposals that NASA received for the present cycle of its Exoplanets Research Program, only 22 projects were selected for support. Dr. Salyk's project will develop analysis tools for studying the chemistry of planet formation in preparation for the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), a large infrared telescope to be deployed by rocket from French Guiana in October 2018. JWST will serve Dr. Salyk among thousands of astronomers worldwide in the study of every phase in the history of the universe.
***INTRAMURAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES***
OCTOBER 24 Environmental Research Institute (ERI) invites proposals for research and teaching related to environmental science, or for projects that integrate environmental science with other disciplines. This year we are especially encouraging proposals that address climate change, energy, or social or environmental impacts of climate change. Other topics will also be considered. Proposals must outline clear research objectives and methods. Faculty are also encouraged to direct students to this funding source, which supports mentored student research on campus and off-campus (mainly summer) research and internships related to environmental science. Applications for the Fall 2016 cycle are due Monday, October 24 (Monday after October Break). Spring applications are due the Monday after Spring Break. For program details and application instructions, please see http://pages.vassar.edu/eri/funding/
OCTOBER 24 Faculty Committee on Research Twice a year, the Committee on Research awards funds for all phases of faculty research. The committee considers projects at any stage of development, and encourages applications where initial funding holds promise for continuing funding from extramural sources as well as research that falls outside the purview of typical external funders. 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 Fall 2016 cycle are due by 5PM on Monday, October 24. For more details and application instructions, please see http://pages.vassar.edu/researchcommittee/. Completed applications should be submitted via email to researchcommittee@vassar.edu. If you have any questions about eligibility or the application process, please consult the Chair, Kathleen Susman, (kasusman@vassar.edu) or the Director of Grants Administration, Amanda Thornton, (amthornton@vassar.edu).
OCTOBER 28 The Frances D. Fergusson Faculty Technology Exploration Fund was 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 Fall 2016 round of grants. Please note that all applications must be submitted by Friday, October 28. 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, please see the Frances D. Fergusson Faculty Technology Exploration Fund website.
OCTOBER 31 The Carolyn Grant ‘36 Endowment encourages the integration of experiential and imaginative processes, and other kinds of embodied learning, into the lives of members of the Vassar community. The Endowment supports ongoing education, professional development, and training that would lead to innovations in teaching and curricular design and encourages faculty and staff members to apply for support to prepare to teach new courses or add new dimensions to existing ones. The Endowment funds such expenses as: the cost of attending workshops, pursuing off-campus collaborations, the cost of equipment or supplies for courses, and the cost of bringing teachers or scholars to campus in connection with a course. Applications should offer a concise description of the project and the course to be developed or modified by the use of Endowment funds. The pedagogical methods and goals of that course should be included, along with a breakdown of anticipated expenses for the undertaking (grants generally range from $500-$3000). Application forms are available on the Carolyn Grant Endowment website: http://carolyngrantendowment.vassar.edu/. Please download the form, respond to each question, and email as an attachment to Lori McElduff in the Grants Office (lomcelduff@vassar.edu) by October 31, 2016.
*** ATTENTION ASIA SCHOLARS ***
ASIANetwork, the consortium of some 160 North American colleges, strives to strengthen the role of Asian Studies within the framework of liberal arts education to help prepare succeeding generations of undergraduates for a world in which Asian societies play prominent roles in an ever more interdependent world. Deadlines are upcoming for several ASIANetwork opportunities:
November 30 Post-Doctoral Teaching Fellows - ASIANetwork will provide $40,000 to each of the selected colleges as partial support for the hiring of a teaching fellow and an additional $1,000 stipend to the fellow’s mentor: http://www.asianetwork.org/programs/postdoc/
December 1 Student-Faculty Fellows Program - ASIANetwork will provide up to $45,000 to support a project that includes a summer trip to Asia for 1 or 2 faculty members and 4 to 6 students. Open to all academic disciplines: http://www.asianetwork.org/programs/freeman-student-faculty-program/
December 9 Faculty Enhancement Program - ASIANetwork will provide a three-week summer faculty development trip to Asia: Indonesia 2017: http://www.asianetwork.org/programs/faculty-enhancement-program/
See also the D.Kim Foundation and Asian Cultural Council opportunities, below.
SOME UPCOMING DEADLINES FOR EXTERNAL FUNDING
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATHEMATICS
OCTOBER 25 NIH Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) support meritorious research at undergraduate degree-granting colleges and universities in order to expose students to research and help to strengthen the research environment of awardee institutions. Projects may last up to three years, and direct costs are not to exceed $300,000. AREA grants are renewable, and preliminary data are not required. For complete eligibility and instructions, please visit NIH online at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/area.htm
New to NIH? Check out this video overview of the NIH grants process!
Plus: NIH Podcast: Drafting your vertebrate animal section for the NIH proposal
NOVEMBER 4 Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR) 21st Annual Posters on the Hill. As the undergraduate research community works to ensure that those in the U.S. Congress have a clear understanding of the research and education programs they fund, nothing more effectively demonstrates the value of undergraduate research than a student participant’s words and work. Undergraduate research must be among the programs that members of Congress understand if it is to be supported, and to grow. Undergraduate students and their faculty mentors are invited to apply for CUR’s annual undergraduate poster session on Capitol Hill. In addition to other events, there will be an evening poster session and reception where students will have the opportunity to speak directly to members of Congress and demonstrate how they have been impacted by these programs. Please visit the website for more information about the submission process and Posters on the Hill program: http://www.cur.org/conferences_and_events/student_events/posters_on_the_hill_call_for_abstracts/
NOVEMBER 7 The Simons Foundation is accepting Letters of Interest for its Simons Early Career Investigator in Marine Microbial Ecology and Evolution Awards. Microbes inhabit and sustain all habitats on Earth. In the oceans, microbes capture solar energy, catalyze biogeochemical transformations of important elements, produce and consume greenhouse gases, and provide the base of the food web. The purpose of the program is to help launch the careers of outstanding investigators who use quantitative approaches to advance our understanding of marine microbial ecology and evolution. Investigators with backgrounds in different fields or with an interest in modeling or theory are encouraged to apply. Grants will be for $180,000 a year for a period of three years. Appropriate expenses include salary support for the investigator and postdoctoral and graduate research assistants, travel, equipment, supplies, and other research expenses. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree and have carried out research in an independent position (tenure-track or equivalent) for at least a year and no more than eight years (start date between November 2008 and November 2015) at a U.S. or Canadian institution. Letters of Interest must be received no later than November 7, 2016. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by February 22, 2017.
For details, please visit the Simons Foundation online here.
DECEMBER 1 The D. Kim Foundation for the History of Science and Technology in East Asia provides fellowships and grants to support graduate students and young scholars who are working in the history of science and technology in modern East Asia, regardless of their nationality, origins, or gender. Comparative studies of East Asia and the West as well as studies in related fields (mathematics, medicine and public health) are also welcome. English is the official language of the Foundation. All application materials (including sample chapters, papers, and essays) should be written in English. For details and instructions, please see http://dkimfoundation.org/wp1/fellowships/
JANUARY 11, 2017 National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in institutions of higher education. The MRI program assists with the acquisition or development of a shared research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs. Instrument acquisition or development proposals that request funds from NSF in the range $100,000-$4 million may be accepted from any MRI-eligible organization. Proposals that request funds from NSF less than $100,000 may also be accepted from any MRI-eligible organization for the disciplines of mathematics or social, behavioral and economic sciences and from non-Ph.D.-granting institutions of higher education for all NSF-supported disciplines. See the full solicitation online: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2015/nsf15504/nsf15504.htm
Many other NSF funding opportunities are available. See the list and links here!
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
NOVEMBER 1 The George A. and Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation awards a limited number of fellowships each year for independent projects in selected fields, targeting its support specifically to early mid-career individuals, those who have achieved recognition for at least one major project. Approximately ten fellowships of $33,000 will be awarded in April 2017 for in the fields of Photography, Anthropology and Archaeology. Howard Fellowships are intended primarily to provide artists, scholars, and writers with time to complete their work. They are not intended for publication subsidies, for equipment purchase, for preparation of exhibits, or to support institutional programs. Successful candidates are given the option of postponing receipt of their fellowship, so as to make the Howard competition accessible to those whose personal plans do not line up exactly with the year in which awards are offered in their fields. The deadline for submission of applications is November 1, 2016. For details, please see: https://howardfoundation.fluidreview.com/
NOVEMBER 1 American Academy in Rome Invites Applications for its Rome Prize, awarded annually to emerging artists and scholars in the early or middle stages of their careers who exemplify the highest standard of excellence in arts and humanities scholarship. Fellows are chosen from the disciplines of architecture, design, historic preservation and conservation, landscape architecture, literature, musical composition, visual arts, ancient studies, medieval studies, Renaissance and Early Modern studies, and Modern Italian studies. Each Rome Prize winner is provided with a stipend, meals, a bedroom with private bath, and a study or studio. (Those with children under the age of 18 live in partially subsidized apartments nearby.) Winners of six-month and eleven-month fellowships receive stipends of $16,000 and $28,000, respectively. Visit the American Academy in Rome website for complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements and application instructions: http://www.aarome.org/apply
NOVEMBER 15 The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is accepting applications for the third year of an initiative supporting research and teaching in Buddhist studies. Working with Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation, ACLS offers an articulated set of fellowship and grant competitions designed to expand the understanding and interpretation of Buddhist thought in scholarship and society, strengthen international networks of Buddhist studies, and increase the visibility of innovative currents in those studies. Starting this year, the foundation will offer a new set of research fellowships for PhDs at any stage of their careers: The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Research Fellowships in Buddhist Studies will provide a stipend of up to $70,000, intended to allow fellows up to nine months to devote full time to the proposed project. Applicants must identify a significant scholarly product (monograph, series of journal articles, etc.) that will result from the fellowship. For complete program guidelines, application instructions, and information on related opportunities, visit ACLS online at http://www.acls.org/programs/buddhist-studies/
DECEMBER 1 Asian Cultural Council (ACC)invites proposals from individuals “exhibiting an abiding passion” and interest in cultural exchange between the United States and the countries of Asia, as well as among the countries in Asia. Each year, ACC funds about a hundred established masters as well as tomorrow's rising stars in fields such as archeology, architecture (design, theory, and history), art history, arts administration, arts criticism, choreography, composition, conceptual art, conservation, crafts, dance, design (noncommercial), filmmaking, installation art, literature, museology, music, new media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, theater, video art, video conservation, and work that defies categorization. Citizens and permanent residents of the United States are eligible to apply for a grant supporting research, study, and creative work. In Asia, ACC grants are open to citizens and permanent residents of countries located east of (and including) Afghanistan and south of Mongolia. Oceania is not applicable. There is no specific amount given for individual fellowships or organizational projects. As grants vary in length of duration (from a month to a year), amounts vary accordingly. Visit the ACC website for programs guidelines, information about previous recipients, and application procedure: http://www.asianculturalcouncil.org/apply-now/individual-guidelines
DECEMBER 7 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is accepting applications to its Scholarly Editions and Translations grants program. Grants will be awarded to support the preparation of editions and translations of pre-existing texts and documents that are currently inaccessible or available in inadequate editions. The grants are intended to support full- or part-time activities for a minimum of one year, up to a maximum of three years. Projects must be undertaken by a team of at least one editor or translator and one other staff member. Grants typically support editions and translations of significant literary, philosophical, and historical materials, but other types of work such as musical notation are also eligible. Applicants should be able to demonstrate familiarity with the best practices recommended by the Association for Documentary Editing or the Modern Language Association Committee on Scholarly Editions. Translation projects also should explain the approach adopted for the particular work to be translated. Visit the NEH website for complete program guidelines, an FAQ, information about past recipients, and application instructions: http://www.neh.gov/grants/research/scholarly-editions-and-translations-grants
JANUARY 9, 2017 (letters of inquiry) The Russell Sage Foundation dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, knowledge, and theoretical core of the social sciences as a means of diagnosing social problems and improving social policies. The foundation’s program on Social Inequality supports research on the social, economic, political, and labor market consequences of rising economic inequalities in the United States. Priority will be given to projects that use innovative data or other methodologies to address important questions about inequality. Examples of the kinds of topics that are of interest include, but are not limited to, economic well-being, equality of opportunity, and intergenerational mobility; the political process and the resulting policies; psychological and/or cultural change; education; labor markets; child development and child outcomes; neighborhoods and communities; families, family structure, and family formation; and other forms of inequality. The foundation encourages methodological variety, but all proposals should have well-developed conceptual frameworks and research designs, and must be investigator-initiated. Analytical models should be specified and research questions and hypotheses should be clearly stated. Awards are available for research assistance, data acquisition, data analysis, and investigator time for conducting research and writing up results. Letters of Inquiry must be received no later than January 9, 2017. Upon review, select applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. For complete program guidelines, application instructions, and an FAQ, visit the Russell Sage website: http://www.russellsage.org/research/funding/social-inequality
JANUARY 11 NEH Digital Humanities Advancement Grants (DHAG)support digital projects throughout their lifecycles, from early start-up phases through implementation and long-term sustainability. Experimentation, reuse, and extensibility are hallmarks of this grant category, leading to innovative work that can scale to enhance research, teaching, and public programming in the humanities. This program combines the former Digital Humanities Start-Up Grants and Digital Humanities Implementation Grants programs; the combined program is offered twice per year. Proposals are welcome for digital initiatives in any area of the humanities. Through a special partnership, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) anticipates providing additional funding to this program to encourage innovative collaborations between museum or library professionals and humanities professionals to advance preservation of, access to, use of, and engagement with digital collections and services. Through this partnership, IMLS and NEH may jointly fund some DHAG projects that involve collaborations with museums and/or libraries. For full guidelines, visit NEH online at https://www.neh.gov/grants/odh/digital-humanities-advancement-grants
Many NEH funding opportunities are now open! Check out the list at https://www.neh.gov/grants
Rolling Mellon Slavic Studies Initiative Russian, East European, and Central Asian studies are the focus of this joint publishing initiative supported by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and offered in partnership with Northwestern, Pittsburgh, and Wisconsin university presses. 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
Katherine Hite (7661, kahite), Professor of Political Science & Faculty Director of Research Development
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
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