Faculty Research Grant Application

Call for Applications

CMC Faculty Research Proposals

Deadline (summer cycle): March 20, 2024

The Faculty Research Committee (FRC) invites applications for faculty research funds needed for this academic year and next, beyond other funds available (e.g., IFA, department, start-up, institute funds). Applications from visiting and tenure-line CMC faculty outside of Keck will be evaluated by the main FRC: Drew Schroeder, chair; Ben Gillen; Sam Nelson; Cathy Reed; Shanna Rose (fall 2023); Aseema Sinha (spring 2024). Applications from tenure-line Keck Science faculty hired on or before June 30, 2022 will be evaluated by the  Keck Science Subcommittee: Drew Schroeder, chair; Findley Finseth; Katie Purvis-Roberts. (Other Keck Science faculty are ineligible for FRC funding, though they may apply for existing CMC research funding from their department.)

Funding can be requested for direct research costs (e.g. data/equipment, archival materials, student research assistants to support faculty research, publication costs), research travel, and conference travel, but not faculty stipends. Maximum funding awarded during the three funding cycles of one academic year is $10,000.

There will be three funding cycles this academic year, with deadlines of September 6, January 17, and March 20. Requested funds for this academic year must be spent by June 30, 2024. Requested summer funds must be spent by September 1, 2024.

The Faculty Research Committee will accept requests for funding for the next academic year as well (with funds to expire June 30, 2025). Such requests may be submitted during any of the three funding cycles and should detail the specific research purpose of the funds and why the funding must be secured in advance. 

In addition to the quality of the research proposal, priority will be given to:

  • Tenure-track and tenured faculty
  • Research that is likely to lead to peer-reviewed publications, grants, or other scholarly achievements
  • Research that involves CMC students
  • Conference travel to present research
  • Faculty who do not have access to other sources of institutional funding (e.g., faculty who are not associated with CMC research institutes)

Proposals for the summer cycle must be submitted by March 20, 2024. The Faculty Research Committee discourages off-cycle requests except in cases of extreme exigency. In these rare cases, please submit the form with an explanation of the off-cycle nature of the request in the field for your name.