Special Projects Grant

Maximum Award: $5,000

The center offers support for research and critical inquiry in the humanities through special projects organized by faculty either individually or in collaboration with others, including members of educational and cultural institutions external to Case Western Reserve University. Examples of supported projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Thematic Seminars organized on the semester model with a targeted question or theme, typically incorporating an interdisciplinary approach and including participants from University Circle or other regional institutions. The seminar would typically include at least one public event (e.g., a guest speaker, performance, academic symposium, public reading) which would be included in the Baker-Nord Center calendar.
  • Research Working Groups consisting of faculty and students, undergraduate or graduate, from Case Western Reserve University, focusing on a targeted issue.
  • Collaborative Reading and Writing Groups on a particular project or theme. The grant may be used to defray the costs of materials, speakers, or other expenses directly related to the success of the project.
  • Academic symposia that address issues of topical interest to the University and the community. 
  • Visiting Scholars who will address topics of broad interest across the humanities or the College as a whole.

Funds should be expended during the Fall 2023 semester.  Grants cannot be used to support CWRU participant stipends or discretionary accounts, nor can they be used to support recurring events such as departmental colloquia.  Examples of supported expenses include, but are not limited to: research or technical assistance; materials, equipment, supplies; space rental; reception expenses; publicity; honorarium and travel expenses for visitors.

Eligibility

Funds are available to full-time faculty in the arts and humanities within the College of Arts and Sciences including lecturers, instructors, and visiting faculty.  Joint applications are encouraged.

Reporting

All awardees will be required to collaborate with the Baker-Nord staff in publicizing their project to the Case Western Reserve University community through the website and other relevant outlets.

Resulting publications and presentations should acknowledge the support of the Baker-Nord Center. Please submit copies of any publications.

Funds are available as reimbursement through the convener’s home department upon submission of appropriate documentation.

All awardees will be required to produce a report (ca. 300 words) which may be published in the center’s newsletter.

Application Deadline: April 7, 2023

To apply, please download and fill out the application cover sheet and include it in the application as described below.

Special Projects Grant Cover Sheet

In addition to this cover sheet, complete applications must include:

  • A brief description of the project (maximum 1,000 words) that addresses the following points as relevant to the project:
    • Overview of the research project, including a statement of its objectives and a description of the proposed event.
    • Rationale for visiting speaker(s) if any.
    • Intended outcomes of the project.
  • Budget detailing all anticipated expenses and other sources of funding. Please attach to the budget a statement detailing any applications for external grants or fellowships in support of this project, including the name of the granting institution, the amount applied for, and the date by which you will be notified of a decision.
  • Brief curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) of the applicant(s). In addition, please include information about any visiting speakers or other participants who might be invited to be a part of the project. Participants who are not affiliated with CWRU are welcome and ideally, affiliated participants should not all be from the convener’s home department.
  • A letter of support from the applicant’s Department Chair or, if the applicant is herself a Chair, from the Dean clearly indicating what departmental or other resources are available for this project.

The staff of the Baker-Nord Center will work with successful applicants to develop their programs, including assistance with arrangements for visiting speakers. Advance inquiries from interested faculty are encouraged.

Letters of support should be sent as a separate email to bakernord@case.edu.

Other application materials must be emailed as a SINGLE PDF to bakernord@case.edu.