OVPRED/HI Research Funding in the Arts and Humanities

UB’s Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (OVPRED) in conjunction with the Humanities Institute offers research funds under a 2-year term. These non-sponsored SUNY Research Foundation funds can be used for a variety of project-related expenses with the goal of generating applications for external funding within three years of the start of the award.

DEADLINE for 2025-26 FUNDING: Friday, Dec. 13, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

Program Information

With an outward-looking approach to the role of the Humanities on campuses and in the community, OVPRED/HI seek to promote the research and execution of projects that engage/benefit the general public with humanities-based conversations, performances, interactions (digital humanities), and spaces.

Two levels of funding are granted for two year terms at the discretion of the selection committee:

  1. The higher tier of funding provides up to $10,000 and the added benefit for one awardee of release from teaching obligation for one course, for one semester, with course replacement funds going to the awardee’s home department.
  2. The lower tier of funding provides up to $5,000 to the recipient, and does not include teaching release.

While the Humanities Institute seeks to distribute financial support as widely as possible, one may hold a research funding award and an HI Faculty Fellowship at the same time.

Funds may be used for one or more purposes that advance research and creative activity.  Examples include:

  • Travel to collections
  • Site-specific fieldwork and data-collection
  • Translation of key texts
  • Specialized equipment, studio space
  • Research assistance

How to Apply

OVPRED/HI Research Funding in the Arts & Humanities is available to tenured and tenure-track UB faculty.

Applicants should prepare the following materials for submission via the online application form:

  • Project abstract (200-word maximum)
  • Four- to six-page, double-spaced project description, which includes:
    • Explanation of project and its significance;
    • Names and deadlines for at least two external fellowships or grant opportunities to which the applicant will apply;
    • Budget for use of research funds, and description of how the funds will help improve the project’s chances of winning an external funding;
  • CV of no more than three pages;
  • Disclosure of amount and source of other UB research funds and explanation in the budget of why OVPRED/HI Research Funding is also needed;
  • Signed form from the applicant’s department chair indicating the chair’s agreement to have the department administer the research fund.

Chair Agreement Form

Download the Chair Agreement Form (PDF)

Selection Criteria

Applications will be evaluated by an ad hoc panel of UB faculty invited by the Humanities Institute’s Executive Committee.  The panel will make funding recommendations and the Vice President for Research and Economic Development will make final funding decisions.

Research Funding Awards will be based on the following criteria:

  • The proposal’s ability to communicate the importance of the project beyond the applicant’s home discipline, with attention given to humanities-centered inquiry;
  • The quality and potential of the research project or creative activity;
  • The impact the research funding will make on the project’s potential to secure external funding/support;
  • The quality and completion record of the applicant's previous research projects and scholarly publications.
APPLY NOW  Click here to go to the online application form
APPLY NOW  Click here to go to the online application form
Eligibility
  • Open to tenured and tenure-track UB faculty;
  • Previous awardees may reapply as soon as they can demonstrate need;
  • No current member of HI’s Executive Committee may apply for OVPRED/HI research funding.

Terms of Award

  • Awardees receive funding through a non-sponsored projects SUNY Research Funding account, with the awardee listed as the Primary Investigator and administration support provided by the home department (Chair and Department Administrator), usable for a two-year term beginning January 1 of the award period and ending December 31 of the following year.
  • Applicants will identify at least two outside fellowships or other funding opportunities to which they will apply within two years of the start of funding.  Awardees will submit fellowship narratives or proposals to HI as proof of grant application submission.
  • A one-page status report will be submitted to the Humanities Institute at the end of the first year of the award period (December of award year).
  • Awardees must participate in the peer critique portion of HI’s annual Faculty Grant Writing Workshop.

The Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development advances the university’s scholarly and economic enterprises by nurturing research endeavors and entrepreneurial pursuits within the institution and community, furthering UB’s ambition to be recognized among the Top 25 public research universities in the nation.

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