Funding Strategiesfor the Humanities

Trish Lowney

Sponsored Programs

Dec 15, 2010

osp.syr.edu | plowney@syr.edu

Funding needs for humanities scholarship – Why??Release time from all institutional

duties

Getting $$ to get ‘there’

Opportunity for intellectual exchange

Access fees, copyright or license fees, copying etc.

When to pursue?Consider context of your

professional development and norms of your department◦After third year review?◦After tenure?◦Other time?

Mid-career Explore new fields Develop new skills

So, plan aheadWhen do you need support?

Do you know from whom?

Timing???◦Best - start 2+ yrs before ‘need’

funds Identify sponsors and know their

timelines… Fall / spring application deadlines for projects

that start anytime between X – Y

What to pursue?Depends on needs:

◦Travel award

◦Salary (full / partial) Residential fellowship Non-residential fellowship

◦Research funds (unrestricted)

Whom to pursue?Sponsors

◦Who funds what you need and/or area? ◦Consider -

Acknowledgements sections Books, monographs, articles, presentations…

Talk / Network Colleagues, mentors, advisors… Conferences, meetings, seminars…

Search COS, IRIS, Foundation Directory online Scan Grants Advisor Plus Professional society / association newsletters

Refining possible sponsors◦Understand what and who they fund◦Prior awardees

Get application? Reference letter?

◦Understand selection process Reference letters?

Be strategic in your selection Write to the right audience

◦Understand the application process As an individual? (ACLS, Fulbright, Guggenheim) Through SU? (Fulbright Hays Research Abroad)

OSP

Once settled on sponsor & competitionConfirm good fit with program

contact◦Not always possible…

Carefully read application instructions

Develop timeline of what will be done when

Notify referees / references of your need for their support ◦Give them template/draft & PLENTY

of time◦Anticipate technical problems

Crafting a compelling project planClearly communicate

◦ Your idea◦ Why it’s important (significance)

Context in which your idea is situated

◦ What you will do and how you will do it Your experience in doing “What” & “How” Stage of project completion

Project is feasible You are qualified to undertake and complete in time available

Timeline

◦ Outcomes - so what? ◦ Information relevant to specific review /

selection criteria◦ Appropriate bibliography

Tips for successLeave time for project to ‘proof’

before putting in the oven to bake.◦Complete project,◦Put aside for a few days◦Come back with fresh eyes

Leave time for others to read & react and for you to revise

ResourcesFrom SU computers

◦http://fundingopps.cos.com/ Select ‘Advanced search’

◦http://www.library.illinois.edu/iris/ Select ‘Iris database’

◦http://www.grantadvisor.com/ Select ‘subscriber pages’

◦http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/welcome.php?fpc=1 Select ‘Search grantmakers’

OSP resourcesArchitecture –

◦Stuart Taub | staub@syr.edu | x9356Arts & Sciences –

◦Amy Grants | ajgraves@syr.edu | x9360

Education, Law, Maxwell, VPA◦Caroline McMullin | cmcmulli@syr.edu

| x 9358Newhouse

◦Meghan MacBlane | mtmacbla@syr.edu | x8352