Faculty Research Grants
The Kennedy Center encourages high-quality research with an explicit international focus and recognizes that seed monies are often important in incubating such research. Consequently, a limited number of research grants are made available each year to full-time BYU faculty to help them jump-start international-focused research. The committee may support such activities as archival research, surveys, field study, archaeological digs, or small meetings to help faculty collaborate with experts in other countries.
Priority will be given to faculty who participate in Kennedy Center programs. Faculty who have received Kennedy Center research grants in the past will not be considered for additional funding for the same research project unless they demonstrate they have made significant progress on their research. This will be measured by, but not limited to, the following criteria:
- Evidence of seeking other funding for continuation and/or expansion of the research.
- Evidence of outcomes, including articles submitted for publications, research presentations at professional meetings, student mentoring, etc.
Grants are capped at $5,000 per proposal but may vary in actual amount. Faculty may not be awarded more than two grants on the same or related topic over a period of three years.
Funding is not available for part-time, retired, or adjunct professors. Requests for travel to countries on the State Department’s Travel Warning List must have prior approval from the International Vice President.
Faculty who receive research grants are expected to contribute to the intellectual life of the Kennedy Center. Future publications should acknowledge support of the Center, and faculty should be willing to report their research as part of the Kennedy Center lecture series. All grant recipients are required to submit a one-page memo at the end of the year reporting on the use of Kennedy Center funds. Funds are available for use in the year awarded.
Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- The significance/innovation of the research; its potential to significantly add to the intellectual dialogue, including but not limited to, how it might refine, improve, or apply new applications, theoretical concepts, methods, or interventions to that dialogue.
- The approach. The merits of the design for accomplishing the specific aims of the project. The appropriateness and feasibility of the method, including, where applicable, measurement and data analysis plans.
- The ability of the investigator to carry out the project in the specified time period.
- The research environment. Are all the tools necessary to fulfill the research available to the applicant?
Conference Travel Grants
In recognition of the expense associated with international travel, a limited number of conference travel grant awards are made available each year to BYU faculty. Priority will be granted to faculty who participate in Kennedy Center programs.
The awards are capped at $1,000 and are available to faculty presenting papers at conferences with both an international location and focus. This may include traditional paper presentations as well as invited performances or exhibits.
Funding is not available for part-time, retired, or adjunct professors. Requests for travel to countries on the State Department’s Travel Warning List must have prior approval from the International Vice President.
Faculty who receive travel grants are expected to contribute to the intellectual life of the Kennedy Center in some way. Future publications should acknowledge support of the center, and faculty should be willing to report their research as part of the Kennedy Center lecture series. All grant recipients are required to submit a one-page memo at the end of the year reporting on the use of Kennedy Center funds. Funds are available for use in the year awarded. Travel grants may not be deferred.
How to Apply
Open the Research Grant or Conference Travel Grant application linked on the right column.