What S New in Fund for Teaching and Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts

What’s New in Fund for Teaching and Research in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts April 8, 2009

The goal of the workshop was to share some updates on internal and external sources of funding for research, teaching and professional development for faculty members in the humanities, arts and social sciences.

Faculty Committee on Research, Silke von der Emde, Associate Professor of German Studies and member of the Faculty Committee on Research  The Committee funds faculty research projects in all disciplines using income from several endowed funds.  Applications are encouraged, although funds are limited.  Preference to full-time faculty members.  Applications should be concise, with careful justification of budget, especially travel costs.  Funds available for publication expenses, especially subventions, page costs or permission costs (but be sure to negotiate with your publisher). No funds for copy editing.  Usually excluded from funding: conference attendance (Dean of Faculty has funds for this), travel to and from airport, food, and equipment such as cameras or recorders. Lodging expenses should be reasonable (e.g. try to find a sublet for a period of two weeks or longer).  Proposals reviewed in the fall and spring, with deadlines usually in late October and late March. See http://committees.vassar.edu/research

Carolyn Grant Fay’36 Endowment, E.H. Rick Jarow, Associate Professor of Religion and Asian Studies, and Chair of the Carolyn Grant Fay ’36 Endowment Fund Committee  This fund, established with a gift of $1 million, has become source of grants for innovative pedagogy.  Grants support teaching in which participants “do it” rather than read about it or talk about it. Also projects involving contemplative practices.  Grants capped at $1,500 to conserve funds.  The Endowment supports 1-2 guests per year who do 3-4 day residencies.  Proposals reviewed in the fall and spring, with deadlines usually in late October and late March, coinciding with the schedule of the Research Committee. See http://carolyngrantendowment.vassar.edu

Faculty Conversations, Maria Höhn, Associate Professor of History and Director of Faculty Research Development  This program, formerly funded with an external grant, is now supported by funds from the Dean of Faculty Office (2008-2011).  Supports costs (e.g. food, books, materials) for faculty members to discuss research or teaching interests over an extended period. Increasing number of requests to discuss how to combine research and teaching. The funds cannot pay for speaker fees other than “small” honoraria  Up to $600 for a semester or $1,200 for a year.  Deadlines at the beginning of each semester.

Ford Scholars Program, Katie Hite, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director, Ford Scholars Program  A 20-year-old program, providing stipends of $3,200 to students and $1,000 to faculty members for collaborative summer research in the humanities and social sciences.  19 projects in the summer of 2009  Faculty members provide assistance and mentoring, although it is not necessary to meet the student every day. Offsite projects are also supported.  Faculty proposals due in January of each year. See http://ford.vassar.edu.

Exploring College Program, Chris Roellke, Professor of Education and Dean of the College and Chair of the Exploring College Planning Committee  A three-year pilot project funded by the Dyson Foundation to prepare high-ability low- income students in Poughkeepsie City Schools to attend college. To be directed by Leslie Williams, with two faculty co-directors (Colette Cann and Eric McCloskey).  Two opportunities for faculty members to participate: 1. Beginning in the summer of 2010, Poughkeepsie High School students will participate in a two-week summer residential program, taking courses co- taught by high school teachers and Vassar faculty. Similar to ET, this is a wonderful professional development opportunity for Vassar faculty members. 2. Serve as a mentor to one of the PHS participants..

Center for Collaborative Approaches to Science, Jan Andrews, Associate Professor of Psychology and member of the Curriculum Subcommittee of CCAS.  Supported by a $1.5 million 4-year science education grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.  Opportunity for faculty members outside of the natural sciences to collaborate with science faculty in Interdisciplinary Education Teams to develop new team-taught courses.  Awards include release time or summer stipend in lieu of release time plus funds for equipment and supplies. Courses must be interdisciplinary, hands-on, with a computational or quantitative component.  April 17 deadline; will continue over next three years.

Environmental Studies, Meg Ronsheim, Associate Professor of Biology and Director, Environmental Studies Program  VC has received a $630,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for Environmental Studies  Grant includes funding for faculty research for environmental studies (broadly defined).  First cycle of grants in the fall of 2009, to coincide with the schedule of the Faculty Committee on Research. See http://environmentalstudies.vassar.edu/news/index.html

External Grant Opportunities, Gary Hohenberger and Jim Olson, Corporate, Foundation and Government Relations  Fulbright – several programs, including the traditional Scholars Program (deadline August 1).  National Endowment for the Arts – a new interest in considering proposals from Vassar.  National Endowment for the Humanities Teaching Development Fellowships, to re- conceive courses taught 3 times by the applicant (deadline in October)  NEH Fellowships. Deadline approaching quickly (May 5). Contact Jim or Gary immediately if interested.  Mellon Foundation New Directions Fellowship. VC may nominate one person for a fellowship for systematic training in a new discipline. Internal deadline during the summer.  NEH Enduring Questions grant program. To develop pre-disciplinary courses in central issues of the humanities. Deadline in October.

Participants were encouraged to make contact with Grants Office personnel to discuss research and teaching interests at any stage of development.