CARI/A&S Diversity Committee/ORED Joint Pilot for Arts Research
This Joint Pilot for Arts Research (JPAR) Request for Proposals is co-sponsored by the Collaborative Arts Research Initiative (CARI), the College of Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee, and the Office for Research and Economic Development (ORED). Faculty from all colleges and disciplines are encouraged to apply, with the following two restrictions: 1) JPAR projects must include investigators from at least two different departments, 2) collaborative teams must include at least one researcher with a primary area of scholarship or practice in design, fine art, the performing arts, or creative writing. The proposed project must address a diversity topic, broadly defined. Possible areas of focus might include race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic class, ability-based discrimination, or inequities relating to health, education, or the environment. Applicants coming to these topics for the first time should demonstrate familiarity with current research or communities of practice and expertise in their proposed area of research.
CARI, the A&S Diversity Committee, and ORED are providing a funding pool of $15,000 and expect to make 1-3 awards. Funding will be considered for a wide range of expenses, including travel, equipment, supplies, or a course release (if available). Proposed work should be completed within a 24-month period with a start date of August 1, 2023.
Priority will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate the integration of disciplines to create innovative processes and discover new modes of inquiry. Special consideration will be given to projects that could result in future federal or foundation research grant submissions.
Review Process
A JPAR review committee, consisting of A&S Diversity committee members, UA arts faculty, CARI staff, and additional ad hoc reviewers as needed in the specific content areas of the application, will focus heavily on the expertise of the individual investigators, the depth of the proposed collaboration, and the potential impact of the research plan.
Application
Applications for funding should be prepared and submitted as an electronic document. One member of the team must be designated as Principal Investigator and funding will flow through this faculty member’s department. The application should include the following sections:
I) Title of the proposed project, along with the names, academic ranks, and departmental affiliations of the applicants, and the signatures of the applicant PI, co-PIs, and the chairs of the applicant PIs’ and Co-PIs’ departments, signifying approval of the proposal. (page 1 of the proposal).
2) Specific Aims of the proposed work – This should not exceed 500 words and should be suitable for publication or dissemination to the general public. The Specific Aims page should include a brief rationale for the proposal and the role that arts integration will play in the process. This page should be single-spaced in not less than 12-pitch type. (on p. 2 of the proposal)
3) Proposal – The proposed work should be described (single-spaced; not less than 12-point type with 1-inch margins; not to exceed 4 pages; this page limit does not include the Specific Aims page). Keep in mind that the proposal will be evaluated by peers who may not have detailed knowledge of the area; therefore, the proposed work should be described in sufficient detail for faculty colleagues to evaluate its impact, but still be at a level general enough for the non-specialist to appreciate. The proposal should address the following areas:
- Outcomes that are the focus of the project and how the project will advance understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly at the University of Alabama.
- The expertise of the PI and the investigative team in addressing the research question.
- The methods and planned outcomes, including how arts research is a necessary and fully-integrated component.
4) Literature Review – Provide a short (1-page, single-spaced) literature review that contextualizes the work you are proposing in relation to previous relevant research, creative performance, or community and cultural engagement.[1]
5) Optional: An additional 1-2 single-spaced pages describing how the JPAR project will fit into the larger timeline of submitting a proposal for a federal/foundation research grant. The funding source will be identified (e.g. a specific national agency, foundation, etc.), along with relevant Program Announcements (PA), Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOA), or Requests for Applications (RFA). The timeline will include the date of a planned grant submission.
Budget and Budget Justification
Include:
- a well-specified budget- not to exceed $15,000, with smaller project budgets encouraged
- a clear budget justification
- a brief timeline
All elements of the proposed work, including submissions for external funding, should be completed within 24 months, with a start date of August 1, 2023. This section can be up to 2 pages single-spaced.
Submission
The due date for submissions is April 17, 2023. Submissions and questions about the application process should be emailed to CARI Assistant Director, Michelle Bordner (mmbordner@ua.edu).
Reference List
A reference list (1 page), including key references that help to provide a framework for the question being addressed is expected.
Biosketch/CV
A Biosketch or CV is required for each investigator.
Required Deliverables
1) The funded projects will produce at least one (1) of the following outcomes: submission of a funding request to an external agency or foundation, publication, exhibition, performance, or conference presentation.
2) A final report is due 90 days after the end of the award period describing the results of the JPAR project and including information on submitted applications for external funding (not to exceed 3 pages).
3) A poster presentation at Faculty Research Day in the final year of funding.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MICHELLE BORDNER AT mmbordner@ua.edu. Applications will be accepted now through April 17th, 2023.
