51·çÁ÷

Funding Opportunities from Upstate Institute, MBBI, Picker ISI, and Lampert Institute

Back to Provost and Dean of the Faculty Announcements

Dear Colleagues,

51·çÁ÷ offers a range of grant opportunities to support faculty research and professional development. A full list of these opportunities can be found on the faculty research grant opportunities websiteFaculty members can learn more at an informational lunch on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Batza Room (560 Case-Geyer; please  by Friday, Nov. 1).

This message describes the grant programs offered by the Upstate Institute; the Robert H.N. Ho Mind, Brain, and Behavior Initiative (MBBI); the Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute; and the Lampert Institute of Civic and Global Affairs. 

UPSTATE INSTITUTE

Amount: up to $5,000, depending on grant type
Course development grant proposal deadline: Nov. 8, 2024 (Course release is available for course development grants)
Community-based research grant proposal deadline: Jan. 24, 2025
Symposia or workshop proposals deadline: Jan. 24, 2025

The Upstate Institute funds research and course development grants on projects pertaining to the upstate region of New York with a community-based approach. The institute can help you connect with community partners and develop plans for research or teaching with a community-based component.

The Upstate Institute and COVE will host a  to learn more about course development grants and how faculty can incorporate community-based learning and research in the classroom that enhances the work of regional or international agencies and effects positive change in the community. These grants include a one-time stipend of $4,000 to support course development, as well as funds to support a direct service assignment domestically or internationally or for course expenses associated with regional research projects.  if you are interested in writing a grant or attending the teaching table, or reach out to Catherine Cardelús or Julie Dudrick to learn more or discuss a potential project. 

Course development grant proposals are due on Nov. 8, 2024. Community-based research grant proposals (up to $5,000) are due on Jan. 24, 2025. Symposia or Workshop Proposals (up to $1,500) are due Jan. 24, 2025.

MIND, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR INITIATIVE (MBBI)

Major Grant
Amount: ordinarily up to $20,000
Deadline: Jan. 24, 2025

The MBBI welcomes proposals from individuals and groups of faculty and staff members from any department, program, or division at 51·çÁ÷. Proposals may be for ongoing research projects, recurring activities, or one-off events. The key is that the proposal would enhance scholarship, teaching, or student involvement related to mind, brain, and behavior. The MBBI has funded many sorts of projects in the past, including conducting laboratory research, hosting a symposium of outside speakers, staging a play, training and mentoring student researchers, traveling internationally to conduct trials, and purchasing and exploring the capabilities of cutting edge equipment. The total budget for most proposals should be less than $20,000, with the conclusion of the funding period by Aug. 31, 2026, but high-impact proposals with larger budgets or longer time horizons are encouraged as well. For more information and details about how to apply, please visit the MBBI grant funding website.

New Connections, New Perspectives Grant
Amount: up to $25,000
Deadline: Jan. 24, 2025

The MBBI welcomes proposals from 51·çÁ÷ faculty members from any department, program, or division who wish to enhance their work by developing new connections with researchers outside of 51·çÁ÷ and, in doing so, to gain new perspectives and master new methods related to mind, brain, and behavior. The 51·çÁ÷ researcher will achieve this by spending an extended period working in another researcher’s lab, being part of a research group, collaborating at an archive, or having some other extended interactive scholarly experience. Upon their return, the 51·çÁ÷ researcher will share their new knowledge with 51·çÁ÷ colleagues and students, both informally and through a public talk or event. The NCNP grant supports travel, housing, and research expenses up to $25,000 (with a maximum of $10,000 for research expenses). This grant does not award SLA credits and is intended for faculty who will already be on research leave during a semester or for faculty available to devote a summer to the project. This call is for projects that will take place in summer 2025, fall 2025, and spring 2026. More information and details on how to apply can be found on the MBBI grant funding website

PICKER INTERDISCIPLINARY SCIENCE INSTITUTE

Major Grant
Amount: up to $150,000 for up to two years
Pre-proposal deadline: Dec. 2, 2024
Invited proposal deadline: Jan. 24, 2025

The Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute (Picker ISI) invites proposals for major grants that advance interdisciplinary scientific research. These grants are designed to support projects that require expertise from multiple disciplines to address complex, cutting-edge scientific questions that cannot be solved within a single field. Proposals should demonstrate a high level of scientific rigor and show potential for significant or transformative outcomes. Funding is available for up to $150,000 for up to two years, covering faculty release time, equipment, travel, wages for research staff, research materials, and other operational costs. We expect funded projects to show long-term potential, whether through external funding, publications, or broader scientific impact. Faculty are strongly encouraged to discuss project ideas with the Picker ISI director Ahmet Ay before submitting a proposal. Pre-proposals are required and must be submitted by Dec. 2, 2024. Following the review of pre-proposals by the Picker ISI executive advisory committee, selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals, which are due by Jan. 24, 2025. Funding for successful projects may begin as early as March 2025. For more information and submission guidelines, visit the Picker ISI major grants website.

Minor Grant
Amount: up to $30,000
Deadline: Jan. 24, 2025

The Picker ISI welcomes applications for minor grants designed to support smaller-scale interdisciplinary science projects and activities. These grants provide up to $30,000 over two years and aim to promote innovative research, educational activities, and collaborations that enhance interdisciplinary science. Eligible activities include low-cost research projects, workshops, faculty release time for developing interdisciplinary courses, and initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sciences. Proposals must clearly demonstrate an interdisciplinary approach and outline long-term benefits, such as contributing to curriculum development or generating new research directions. Faculty are encouraged to consult with the Picker ISI director Ahmet Ay to refine their ideas before submitting a proposal. Proposals are due by Jan. 24, 2025, with funding available starting in March 2025. For further details and application instructions, visit the Picker ISI minor grants website.

LAMPERT INSTITUTE FOR CIVIC AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS

Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: Jan. 24, 2025

The Lampert Institute for Civic and Global Affairs funds projects that examine how political and economic developments affect international affairs, relationships, and outcomes. It supports analysis, freedom of inquiry, and evidence-based argumentation (but not activism) principally in two focus areas: How the world order is affected by (i) developments in developing countries and (ii) STEM. The Lampert Institute offers funding opportunities of $5,000 for faculty research and scholarship closely related to these areas of intellectual inquiry to support field work, archival work, dataset purchases, or other types of research support necessary to advance scholarly projects.

Lampert faculty grants for 2025–26 will be awarded in the spring for a period of 15 months from June 1, 2025 through Aug. 31, 2026. Applications should be submitted to Chad Sparber by email. Awards will be limited by the number of meritorious applications received and the size of the budget.

Applications for 2025–26 are due by 5 p.m. Jan. 24, 2025. For more information and details about how to apply, visit the Lampert faculty research grants website.

Sincerely,

Catherine Cardelús
Professor of Biology and Environmental Studies
Director, Upstate Institute

Ben Lennertz
Associate Professor of Philosophy
Chair, MBBI Executive Advisory Committee

Ahmet Ay
Professor of Biology and Mathematics
Director, Picker ISI

Chad Sparber
W. Bradford Wiley Chair in International Economics
Director, Lampert Institute of Civic and Global Affairs