Advice on Key Funders

There's a saying in this field: "Once you know one funder … you know one funder." Therefore, once you decide to approach a particular funder for support, it is vital to become familiar with their unique application requirements and expectations. Below is some information to help you help you prepare for an application to one of these key funders. - Tess

American Council of Learned Societies - humanities and interpretive social sciences

ACLS invites research applications from scholars in all disciplines of the humanities and related social sciences. The ultimate goal of the project should be a major piece of scholarly work by the applicant, which can take the form of a monograph, articles, digital publication(s), critical edition, or other scholarly resources. The ACLS Fellowship program does not fund creative work (e.g., novels or films), textbooks, straightforward translation, or pedagogical projects. ACLS Fellowships are intended as salary replacement to help scholars devote six to twelve continuous months to full-time research and writing.

Grant award amounts vary based on rank: The fellowship award ranges from $40,000 to $70,000.

Annual Deadline: Typically late September

Recommended Preparation:

• Sign up to become a reviewer - there is no better way to understand what makes a great application than to read 30+ of them in your field. Granted, it is a lot of work, but the lessons learned will serve you well long into the future.
• Watch "ACLS Fellowship: Advice from Winners at Liberal Arts Colleges." This webinar, featuring three winners, was organized by a team of sponsored research officers at small liberal arts colleges. A recording of the conversation can be accessed here.
• Read Writing Proposals for ACLS Fellowship Competitions

Core Fulbright Scholar Program - all disciplines supported

The Core Fulbright Scholar Program grants ~800 awards annually for faculty to teach or conduct research (or a combination of the two) in ~150 countries worldwide. Approximately 90% of Fulbright awardees are new to the program. All disciplines are funded (look for the "All Disciplines" award) and some countries offer "flex" options which allow the recipient to travel for shorter (perhaps month-long periods) two to three times over the course of a multi-year grant period. Proficiency in the language depends on the country. Some countries require a letter of invitation from a university.

Searching tip for the Catalog of Awards: If you are searching for awards in the fall (soon after the September deadline), be sure to search for "all awards" or "view closed awards."

Grant award amounts vary based on the country (typically a few thousand a month).

Annual Deadline: Mid-September annually for support the following academic year

Recommended Preparation:

• Attend one of the many webinars offered by Fulbright including this one that walks you through the application
• Peruse the Core Scholars Catalog to learn about different awards in different countries: "There is a Fulbright for everyone somewhere in the world, but not a Fulbright for someone everywhere in the world"
• Make strategic use the Fulbright Scholar Directory - this is a finicky database - please discuss with Tess!
• Read Fulbright's review criteria
• Review the application materials
• If you are really committed to the Fulbright mission, sign up to be a peer reviewer - reading happens in late September and an in-person meeting would happen in late October or early November - note that they ask for a three-year commitment
• Register on "My Fulbright" to learn more about particular countries/opportunities. Registered Members will be notified of the latest program updates, webinar schedules, helpful resources, and suggestions for application assistance. My Fulbright also allows you to specify your areas of interest by country or world region, as well as relevant disciplines.
• Coming soon: Read samples of opening statements, project overviews, statements on why host country was chosen, sample outcomes and contributions, etc. after registering on My Fulbright.

Franklin Research Grant - all disciplines supported

"The Franklin program is particularly designed to help meet the costs of travel to libraries and archives for research purposes; the purchase of microfilm, photocopies, or equivalent research materials; the costs associated with fieldwork; or laboratory research expenses."

Grant up to $6,500 to support research expenses. 

Annual Deadlines: First business day in October, and first business day in December. Funding supports research activity in the following calendar year.

Guggenheim Fellowships - all disciplines supported

"Guggenheim Fellowships are intended for individuals who have already demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." Notably, the Guggenheim supports all disciplines: scholars, scientists, writers, artists, composers, etc.

Fellowship award amount: varies (approx $50,000)

Annual Deadline: Mid-September annually for support the following academic year

Recommended Preparation:

• Watch this 2021 webinar "Guggenheim Fellowship: Advice from Winners at Liberal Arts Colleges" This 2021 webinar, featuring four winners, was organized by a team of sponsored research officers at small liberal arts colleges. A recording of the conversation can be accessed here.

National Science Foundation - natural sciences and social sciences supported

Recommended Preparation:

• Identify the appropriate program(s) (Search active/recent awards to help figure out the best program)
• Sign up to serve as a reviewer by emailing a program officer in the appropriate program(s) with a brief summary of your expertise with CV
• Attend an NSF conference (https://nsfgrantsconferences.com/)
• Watch "NSF CAREER: Advice from Winners at Liberal Arts Colleges." This webinar, featuring three winners, including CC's own Rebecca Barnes, was organized by a team of sponsored research officers at small liberal arts colleges. A recording of the conversation can be accessed here.
• See the Grant Programming page for more on these sessions: "Advice on Approaching Program Officers" and "Nuts and Bolts: What to Expect in the Grant Application Process"
• Read Joining NSF's Culture of Communication