Call for Applications: THI Research Clusters 2023-2024
The Humanities Institute (THI) Research Clusters enable groups of faculty and graduate students to explore new ideas. We fund clusters for up to three years, allowing experimental collaborations and projects to grow into self-sustaining initiatives. Interdisciplinary research breaks down silos so that we can create the dynamic connections across disciplines that are essential today. For more information, visit our Research Clusters page.
Deadline: Thursday, May 25th, 2023
Objective: This program is designed to encourage and support research in any area of the Humanities. In addition to programming (e.g., conferences, workshops, seminars, visiting scholars), we encourage the clusters to view this as seed funding and to think about ways the cluster can serve as an incubator for larger projects in the future (e.g., websites and other digital projects, edited volumes, the establishment of research centers, NEH Summer Seminars, UC multi-campus research groups, etc.) and how they can leverage cluster funds to secure extramural funding. Preference will be given to clusters that have not already received multiple years of funding, though all proposals will be considered.
Strong preference will be given to groups who align with THI’s 2023-2024 theme: Technology. Groups are encouraged to interpret the theme critically and capaciously, in terms of time period, disciplinary lens, and the conceptualization of technology itself.
Number of Awards: TBD.
Amount: Up to $5,000 per cluster.
Eligibility: Groups of faculty from any UCSC Division may apply, as long as some Humanities faculty are involved as co-principal investigators. Graduate student involvement in the cluster is encouraged, but clusters must be led by faculty PIs. Depending on funding availability, preference will be given to clusters whose PIs are faculty in the Humanities Division.
Duration: Funding is awarded on a year-by-year basis. Any unspent money on Friday, June 30, 2024 will be returned to The Humanities Institute. Clusters are funded for a year, but any funded cluster can reapply for funding for up to two additional cycles.
Reporting Requirement: The Humanities Institute will expect a final 1-page report by Saturday, July 1, 2024. This report will detail a) the activities of the cluster, b) how the activities enhanced the work of the faculty and graduate students involved and c) whether the cluster faculty applied for extramural funds (if yes, where; if no, why not).
Staffing: Administrative support to the cluster will be included as an in-kind award from The Humanities Institute. Staff support includes event planning, program management, as well as assistance with research development.
Application Requirements:
- Cover sheet containing a) name(s) of faculty principal investigator(s), b) title of research cluster, c) amount requested, e) amount of matching funds, if any.
- Narrative of no more than 3 pages describing a) the purpose of the cluster, b) the connection to the annual theme, c) the names and affiliations of faculty and graduate students whom you anticipate will be involved, and d) projected activities of the cluster.
- Budget.
Applications must be submitted via InfoReady.
- Important: in order to fill out the application, you must show your departmental affiliation by adding a primary organization on your InfoReady profile.
Make sure you use the “Login for University of California, Santa Cruz Users.” Please follow the steps in our InfoReady Guide if this is your first time using InfoReady. We encourage you to start your application as soon as possible to familiarize yourself with the InfoReady platform
Questions? Please contact thi@ucsc.edu with any questions.