Breaking Boundaries

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Advancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration at Case Western Reserve University

The Breaking Boundaries Initiative fosters collaboration across disciplines to drive innovative research and scholarship with transformative impact. Through dialogue and partnership, we build vibrant interdisciplinary communities poised to tackle complex challenges and pioneer new frontiers of knowledge.

Explore Opportunities & Resources

Interdisciplinary Forums

Engage with faculty from across the campus in explorations of emerging research topics through the Breaking Boundary Forums, which feature a short keynote presentation and a series of lightning talks from faculty, followed by a networking reception. Spring 2025 Forums will address Science and Practice of Well-Being and Resilience and Energy and the Environment.

Breaking Boundaries Forums


Seed Funding

Develop new interdisciplinary research projects through Breaking Boundaries Seed Grants, designed to help faculty teams generate preliminary results and prepare competitive external funding proposals.

  • Application Deadline: March 1, 2026
  • Award Levels: Up to $100,000 or $15,000
  • Eligibility: Teams with at least two faculty members from distinct disciplines

Learn More & Apply


Faculty Dinners

Provost Ward is hosting Breaking Boundaries Faculty Dinners to bring colleagues together and spark cross-disciplinary conversation. These gatherings offer a chance for us all to learn about the innovative research and creative scholarship happening across the university and to connect with fellow faculty doing exciting, inspiring work. If you would be interested in joining a Breaking Boundaries Faculty Dinner, please complete the form below.

Express Interest in Attending a Faculty Dinner


Contact & Questions

For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact Vice Provost Daniel Lacks at djl15@case.edu.