Research Support

Priority is given to those that have sought or will seek external funding. The maximum Research Support award is $10,000, though most awards are $5,000 or less. Unlike Research Travel, this program is not meant to support the travel related to a faculty member's research. 

Applications for Research Support are reviewed at the following deadlines: September 21, January 25, and March 22 by 5pm.

Applications are limited to faculty who are tenured or tenure-track with primary appointments in either a Taft member unit or the College of Arts & Sciences with a terminal degree in a Taft member field. Graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, faculty in other colleges, and non-tenure track faculty (part-time, educator, research, visiting, and adjunct) are ineligible for this program. 

Unlike Research Travel, this program is not meant to support the travel related to a faculty member's research.

Awardees remain eligible for other awards.

Applications must be received through the online portal no later than 5PM on the day of the published deadline. Applicants may not bypass any component of the system or ask the committee to instead view an uploaded document for the project narrative. The only acceptable uploaded document is a single PDF containing the applicant's abbreviated CV and proof of costs, e.g. screen shots of travel, lodging, and direct research costs.

A complete application must include the following: 

1. Narrative explaining the proposed project’s focus, contributions to the applicant's field, methods and sources.
2. Itemized budget, explanation and proof of costs, including comparison and substantiation, e.g. screen shots of projected expenses.
3. Reasonably expected outcomes, including publications, fellowships, performances, and/or grant sought.
4. Abbreviated (two-page) curriculum vitae.
5. Where applicable, the proposal should also include an account of the current Taft Departmental Allocation Research Support balance and commitments from either the applicant or the department head.

Applications lacking IRB approval where required are discouraged, and will likely be denied.

Applicants will be judged according to the following criteria:

• Conceptualization, organization, and description of the proposed project.
• The current state of the research, the proposed schedule of research, and the timeliness of the award in ensuring project completion.
• The likelihood that the applicant will complete the project, if funded, based upon scholarly record and accomplishment following other grants/awards.
• The quality or future promise of the applicant's work as a scholar or creative writer and teacher.
• Evidence of productivity generally, as well as that stemming from previous Taft awards.
• The significance of the contribution that the proposed project will make to thought and knowledge in the field of the project.
• The nature of external grants and the likelihood of external funding.

• Full disclosure of non-Taft funds received for the proposed project, including those from within the university. A Taft grant may not duplicate other funds granted for the same purpose, except when project costs exceed outside awards.
• Where deviations from the approved application occur, the grantee must notify the Taft Faculty Chair in writing and receive written approval for the changes. Failure to comply with this rule will nullify the grant and require return of the award.
• Publications and creative work generated with the help of Taft grants should acknowledge the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center.
• A travel authorization request must be submitted via Concur and approved prior to travel.