As Princeton humanists experience greater opportunities to build relationships in person, the Humanities Council affirms our commitment to supporting humanities scholars across the borders of their disciplines and beyond the University. To this end, we announce a cycle of mini-grants for projects with the potential to renew or reshape scholarly communities or expand their reach. The “Flash Grants” will provide $500 to $5,000 for new, first-time projects designed and completed before 2023.
We invite Princeton University humanities researchers—faculty, lecturers, postdoctoral fellows, research scholars, professional specialists, and administrators—to propose smaller scale projects that start in June 2022 and finish before 2023.
Projects must develop innovative formats for transforming research and community, perhaps by drawing on lessons learned during the pandemic, in experimenting with new forms of conversation, exchange, and interaction. The grants are intended to support Princeton humanities researchers as they renew communities on campus, or as they develop channels for engaging new audiences or collaborators.
We invite “outside-the-box” ideas that transform academic business as usual, reimagining its forms and communities given increasing, though still limited and unpredictable, access to in-person programming. We also encourage proposals that include new ways of engaging with Central New Jersey partner organizations.
These grants, supported by the David A. Gardner ’69 Magic Grant, are intended to be the primary funder and “initiating spark” for a first-time project. Ideas that can be transferred or scaled to other contexts will receive special consideration. Collaborations and joint proposals are encouraged.
Eligibility
Princeton University humanities researchers—faculty, lecturers, postdoctoral fellows, research scholars, professional specialists, and administrators—may propose to lead a project, whether alone or with co-leaders. A co-leader may come from within or outside the University. (Princeton University graduate and undergraduate students may apply for a similar opportunity.)
For each project, the principal Princeton University leader may submit a proposal of up to 1,000 words, along with an itemized budget from $500 to $5,000. Projects must begin in June 2022. They must conclude before January 2023, when a post-project report will be due.
Proposals may include compensation for research assistants who are current Princeton University students, graduate or undergraduate. Other eligible project expenses may include external support or training relevant to the project, modest hardware and equipment purchases, and software or subscriptions. Such requests may not replicate available University resources.
Grants may not support travel for individual research, faculty summer salary, honoraria for online lectures or performances, or components of credit-bearing courses. Grants are not intended to bring speakers to campus for public lectures or performances, or for the development of new websites (although grants may support new components of existing sites).
Proposals should indicate a commitment for staff support from a University Department or Program to manage funds and all logistics.
As you draft your proposal, you may wish to contact staff at the Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES), proces@princeton.edu. This office is ready to help you locate partners in the community, if you have not already done so.
The Humanities Council will support projects through our usual publicity and communications channels. To aid this process, successful applicants may occasionally be asked to write brief status updates, supply images, or suggest potential interviewees.
How to Apply
Proposals will be considered as they arrive, with awards granted on a rolling basis. The final deadline for submission is Thursday, March 31, 2022.
ApplyAwards will be granted by early May 2022.
Please contact Kathleen Crown, executive director of the Humanities Council, for guidance on preparing a proposal or questions about eligibility.
For Students
Princeton University graduate and undergraduate students can apply for a similar opportunity.
