Provost Announces New Round of Grants To Promote Interfaculty Collaboration

Provost Harvey V. Fineberg has announced a new round of grants under the Provost’s Fund for Interfaculty Collaboration. These grants are designed to promote intellectual interchange across Faculties of the University. The deadline for grant applications is Friday, April 14.

“We have been very gratified at the wide faculty response to this program in the past two years,” Fineberg said. “We are pleased to be able to support so many faculty interested in collaboration with their colleagues across the University.”

Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $10,000. In the last several years, the fund has typically supported faculty “working groups.” Each group should have a designated leader and at least 6 faculty members from at least three different Schools to meet the eligibility requirements. The fund aims to cover expenses such as meeting costs, student assistance, and travel costs for outside experts.

The Provost’s Fund for Interfaculty Collaboration first awarded grants in January 1998. Additional grants were awarded in October 1998 and May 1999. These grants have covered topics as diverse as researching upper extremity disorders, environmental justice, and low-income homeownership. Hundreds of faculty from every school in the University have taken part in these working groups.

Previously funded working groups are eligible for a renewed grant, on a showing of substantial accomplishment to date and specific plans for taking the work to a more advanced stage.

The fund has a Web page that can be used as a resource to form working groups. Faculty who want to recruit others interested in joining their working group, or to explore whether there is sufficient interest in a topic to support a working group, can post listings on the Web page (www.provost.harvard.edu/provost_fund). Working groups that have already received grants are also described.

Applications must be received by April 14 for the grants, which will cover the academic year 2000-2001. More detailed information, including how to submit an application, is available electronically on the Provost’s Fund Web page, www.provost.harvard.edu/provost_fund, or by contacting the Office of the Assistant Provosts (496-5775). Questions may be sent via e-mail to sarah_wald@harvard.edu.