Grants for Faculty

Goldfarb Faculty Research Grants

The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs has funding to support research conducted by Colby faculty. Research that aligns with our annual theme, which is freedom of speech for the 2021-22 academic year, will be prioritized. Other research topics are also welcome, but they must be clearly linked to public affairs or public policy. Research is broadly defined and can range from desktop literature reviews to collection of or original analysis of various kinds of data and sources. Funding can also be used for events, which could include presenting at a conference or organizing a seminar on campus. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply as the Goldfarb Center promotes an interdisciplinary approach to complex issues. All funding decisions will be made by the Goldfarb Faculty Advisory Committee.

Funding

Funds may be allocated to cover any legitimate research expenses including, but not limited to: a stipend to collaborators (students, outside organization or institution), purchase of research materials, and travel, food, and lodging expenses associated with data gathering or conference presentations.

Proposals

Applicants should submit a proposal that clearly lays out the following information:

Basic Information: research title, faculty point of contact, contact information, date of submission, 150 word abstract
Research Details
- What is the focus and purpose of your proposed research project? Be explicit regarding your research question, objectives, methodology, anticipated results, and dissemination plan.
- Who is your target audience?
- How does this research support or build upon past research? Why is it needed or necessary?
- What do you expect to learn as a result of your research?
- How will you know that your conclusions are valid?
- What is your timeline for completion?
Funding
- How much funding are you asking for from the Goldfarb Center to support your research project?
- Break down exactly what the funding will be used for.
- What additional funding has already, or is anticipated, to be secured, if needed?
Partnership
- How does this research connect to the Goldfarb Center’s annual theme, public affairs, or public policy?
- Is there space to acknowledge the Goldfarb Center in your research project?
- What is the best way to share updates on your research with the Goldfarb Center (both frequency and modality)?

Deadline

The grant application deadline is rolling.

Questions?

Contact Goldfarb Center Assistant Director Erica Buswell at [email protected].

Goldfarb Faculty-Student Collaborative Research Grants

The Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs invites proposals from Colby faculty and students for funding of original research projects on topics related to public affairs or public policy in which the student will be involved as a significant collaborator with a member of the faculty. A wide range of research projects may qualify for funding under this program, however, the student collaborator must be involved to the extent of co-authoring or co-presenting the final product.

Funding

Funds may be allocated to cover any legitimate research expenses including, but not limited to: a stipend to the student collaborator, purchase of research materials, and travel, food, and lodging expenses associated with data gathering.

*Note: All students submitting grant proposals to the Goldfarb Center will automatically be considered for funding from DavisConnects.

Proposals

Applicants should submit a proposal that clearly lays out the following information:

A brief abstract (150 words or less) describing the project
The nature of the specific project
The topic’s connection to the Goldfarb Center’s mission
The nature of the collaboration between the faculty member and the student
A detailed research design to include:
- the specific research questions to be examined
- a brief literature review that indicates the significance of your research questions
- a description of the methodology, including a clear indication of how data will be gathered and how variables will be defined
- a proposed timeline for data-gathering and writing
A proposed budget with an itemization of projected expenses and rationale
The intended product and outcome
*Optional: If applicable, please explain any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted your academic record
*Optional: If applicable, please explain any extenuating circumstances surrounding your financial need

If the project involves human subjects, the proposal should be submitted to Colby’s Institutional Review Board simultaneously with submission to the Goldfarb Center. Your project must be approved before we will disburse funds.

No application will be reviewed unless all of the items listed above are included.

Product

The proposal should specify the intended end product for the project and at least preliminary thoughts on means of dissemination. Students receiving funding under this program will be expected to make presentations as part of the Colby Undergraduate Research Symposium.

NOTE: Included in the end product of the research, recipients are required to submit to the Goldfarb Center’s Assistant Director Erica Buswell ([email protected]) a detailed report of all expenses paid for by the grant money (including copies of receipts organized by date). Failure to do so will preclude future grants.