The Commons announces interdisciplinary starter grants


LAWRENCE – The University of Kansas Commons will offer Starter Grants, funded by the Office of Research, for interdisciplinary research projects in 2014-2015. Starter Grants are available for collaborative teams to apply for up to $10,000 each to initiate proposals.

Starter Grants will fund interdisciplinary projects in the initial stages of development that may be overlooked by more conventional disciplinary funding sources. Applicants are encouraged to think imaginatively about the possibilities for their projects. Starter Grants provide funds for research that is not restricted to one disciplinary perspective, supporting collaborators from across the arts, sciences and humanities as they work to find a common language and methodological approach. These grants take into consideration projects with potential to develop into proposals for RIC awards. Applications will be expected to forecast potential outcomes for the research funded by Starter Grants, with specific attention to potential future funding sources.

“It is difficult to obtain external funding for the initial stages of bold and innovative multidisciplinary research projects. The Starter Grants is a very promising initiative and will help fill a gap, supporting incipient projects and complementing the RIC (Research Investment Capital) opportunities at KU, which target research projects at a more developed stage,” said Rodolfo Torres, associate vice chancellor for the Office of Research.

By supporting the preliminary steps of truly integrated research, this funding opportunity complements the efforts of The Commons to further interdisciplinary research and learning. In addition, Red Hot Research sessions provide an opportunity for faculty to learn about one another's current work via six-minute slideshow presentations. Idea Cafés bring together scholars from many disciplines around a central theme to be questioned and explored as a group. Many other speakers and events round out the interdisciplinary programming of The Commons.

The Call for Proposals is available on The Commons’ website. Applications are due Nov. 2.  An information session for those interested in learning more about this opportunity will take place in The Commons in September.

Mon, 08/25/2014

author

Emily Ryan

Media Contacts

Emily Ryan

The Commons

785-864-6293