Special Programs

Description

These awards recognize research in the arts and humanities that demonstrates the essential role these fields play in enhancing lives in Illinois, across the nation, and around the world through leadership in discovery, education, engagement, and economic development. In partnership with the colleges and the Office of the Provost and supported by a generous philanthropic gift from Jozef and Huguette Cohen “to support researchers as they develop ideas that may be sufficiently innovative as to make it difficult for them to obtain funding from traditional sources.” This pilot program provides research support for tenure-system faculty whose vision for the future of the arts and humanities requires incubation through opportunities of their own invention or initiation, such as acquisition of new skills, residence at an archive or field site, convening with collaborators, or the staging of forums and strategy sessions. Proposed efforts should also bring new recognition to the research through the visibility and/or prestige afforded by association with those hosting, partnering, or otherwise supporting the proposed venture. Examples of activities for these Innovation Awards may include:

• Enrollment in specialized training or coursework that supports a new research direction and adds to skills and research networks of the applicant.
• Residential affiliation with an external institution or organization as a visiting scholar/artist.
• Co-organizing of a symposium with a partner organization or institution that brings elevated visibility to the event’s outcomes.
• A gathering with collaborators to build the basis of a new project that culminates in an externally recognized venue (publisher, gallery, performance hall, etc.).

Type of Support

This award will contribute to any expense allowed by University policies and normally supported by the Campus Research Board’s Research Support Awards as well as travel support and course release (at $15,000 per semester of full release, pro-rated for lesser or greater time or percentage of effort).

Applicants may request up to $20,000, with an expectation of 1-to-1 match from the home department and/or college for up to a total award of $40,000. (Each college will determine its own internal processes for identifying meritorious proposals to advance with a committed match; funding already committed by colleges to the applicant’s research since AY24-25 and turned to the present proposal are acceptable.) Proposals should pertain to work planned for the period of June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2028; projects supported by a current Research Board award are not eligible.

Program Criteria

The Campus Research Board will apply the following criteria in their review of applications to this program, supported by peer reviewer input:

• Innovation: Does the applicant bring a distinctive vision for how this opportunity will contribute to enhancing the lives of citizens in Illinois, across the nation, and around the world through leadership in learning, discovery, engagement, and economic development?
• Profile: Does this opportunity stand to bring new recognition and visibility to the applicant's research in demonstrable ways, with clear connections to outside venues, organizations, or communities?
• Qualifications: Does the applicant's past record of success point to strong ability to build on this opportunity through sustained new inquiry?
• Operational Clarity: Is the workplan and budget well-formed?

Submission Materials

• Proposal Narrative (maximum 3 pages, single-spaced, 12pt font, 1-inch margins) that includes the following sections:
• Innovation (how the effort stands to expand or lead the field and advance the university’s mission)
• Profile (what new visibility and recognition the project stands to bring to the applicant’s research)
• Workplan (outline of the steps required in narrative or timeline form)
• Itemized Budget and Justification, including an explanation of what challenges exist for funding through traditional sources.
• Short CV or Biosketch that includes current support by external sponsors (3 pages maximum).
• Letter of support from the department/unit Executive Officer (EO) endorsing the strength of the proposal in light of the award criteria, stating any department-level financial contribution (or inability to contribute), and where requested, support for release from teaching if funded.
• Letter of endorsement from the Dean, committing any additional funds needed to achieve 1-to-1 match.
• (Optional) Letter of support from external partner or organization evidencing plans for broader impact and visibility.

Eligibility

This award is open to applications from tenure-track or tenured faculty at the Assistant and Associate levels whose research lies in the arts, humanities, or humanistic social sciences. Applications also require endorsement and co-support by their home department and college. Recipients of Humanities Release Time awards or fellowships through the Center for Advanced Study or Humanities Research Institute for AY2026-27 may not also hold one of these awards. Applications for this award cannot be accompanied by additional funding requests to the Campus Research Board.