An Unconventional Call for Proposals

Up to ten prizes of $1,000 each will be awarded for the submission of a project idea or research proposal.
For the faculty of the social sciences at Columbia University

In an effort to promote interdisciplinary collaboration among the social science faculty at Columbia University, and as a first step in obtaining funding for such, ISERP is pleased to announce this call for proposals. Please submit your ideas for an interdisciplinary training program or research project. Think big—we are hoping to receive ideas for large-scale, multi-year projects that you couldn't complete on your own.

Application instructions:
Please send a brief paragraph as a pre-proposal to Ariel Schwartz on as2853@columbia.edu for the go-ahead to write a full proposal by April 15, 2009. Pre-selection decisions will be made primarily based on the number of letters of interest we receive—we can fund a maximum of ten project ideas.

The pre-proposal should identify the departments that will be involved, the subject matter of the proposal, a brief explanation of the methodology and a short statement on the significance of the project.

Full proposal guidelines:
3-5 page narrative. Project must be interdisciplinary. Narrative must identify faculty who could be involved, provide a sense of scale with respect to the personnel and time requirements of the project, and speculate on some potential funders.

If a training program, narrative must discuss theoretical groundings and gap in existing educational opportunities, as well as outline the profile of ideal students, indicate the length of program and courses to be taught, and speculate upon trajectory for students post-graduation.

If a research project, narrative must discuss the theoretical groundings for research and put forth tentative hypotheses for data collection and analysis.

Proposals may include a brief appendix of references. Budgets are not required and need not be submitted with the proposal.

Eligibility:
In order to apply, you must be Columbia faculty with an established record of receiving external funding or submit in collaboration with a faculty member who does.

Multiple submissions permitted.

Deadlines:
Please submit a one paragraph letter of interest by March 31, 2009. Decisions will be announced shortly afterwards. The deadline for full proposals is May 1, 2009.

Terms and Conditions:
Submission of an idea indicates an understanding that ISERP has, at its discretion, the exclusive right to work with you to secure the cooperation of the identified faculty, bring in additional co-PIs as it sees appropriate, and develop the idea into a major project proposal for external funding. This may include, but is not limited to, combining research agendas of complementary projects. ISERP will not proceed on a project without the submitting PI unless expressly permitted. If ISERP fails to find funding for the idea within two years of submission, the PI is free to pursue external funding for the submitted idea without ISERP if so desired.

Payment upon receipt of submission. No conditions on funds.