New Presidential Initiatives for Small Grants to Support Faculty Research

 

Dear Howard University Community,

During my recent listening tour of our University’s 14 schools and colleges, I had the distinct opportunity to hear from faculty, staff, and students on a wide range of issues. A few priority areas that we quickly identified are the need to strengthen our research infrastructure, invest in more support for faculty, and provide opportunities to bolster research productivity.

As we continue to activate and progress on our Howard Forward strategic plan, I am pleased to share new Presidential Strategic Initiatives underway in collaboration with Provost Anthony Wutoh. Several forthcoming initiatives will be framed around supporting faculty research activities and prioritizing an improved research infrastructure. The initiative includes seed grant opportunities to support faculty research and professional development. The first round of these funds, in the amount of $1 million, will be allocated to support four separate initiatives:

• HU Research Chairs

This Fall, 10 tenured or tenure-track professors will be selected in the inaugural cohort of HU Research Chairs. Faculty will be selected through a competitive application process that will be managed by the Office of the Provost, in collaboration with our 14 schools and colleges. Successful applicants will be appointed University Research Chairs for a two-year term, and at the term’s conclusion, each chair will be expected to provide a seminar based upon the work they have been conducting. These seminars will be coded and marked with a special designation on a student’s transcript. 

• Faculty Travel Grant (FTG)

The University will make available 50 travel awards of up to $2,000 each for faculty to undertake conference and research-related travel. The application process will be managed by the Office of the Provost in conjunction with the deans of our schools and colleges. The purpose of the FTG program is to provide funding that enables faculty to present at conferences and professional meetings. Eligible faculty may receive up to $2,000 per academic year for expenses incurred. Howard University is committed to fostering the dissemination of new research and supporting its faculty in this endeavor. 

• Research Microgrants and Book Supplements

A pilot fund is being established to support a limited number of microgrants, up to $2,000 for faculty to complete projects, initiate small projects, and similar initiatives. Funds through this program will also be made available to provide technical and financial support for book publishing efforts by University faculty. We anticipate this will increase the quality and quantity of professional books by our faculty. 

• Instructional (Course) Release

Pilot funds are also being committed to support faculty instructional (course) releases. This is a release from instruction granted by the provost, upon recommendation of the dean, for a faculty member to undertake scholarship, creative pursuits, or administrative activities beyond typical expectations of a full-time faculty member. For this process, the department chair will review applications and submit recommendations to the dean, who will then make recommendations to the provost.

Additional details regarding eligibility, application processes, and implementation of these presidential initiatives will be provided over the coming weeks and published on the Office of the Provost’s website.

While the listening tour shined a light on areas in need of improvement, it also underscored how our community members have brilliant ideas about how to amplify and strengthen the great work taking place at Howard University. Working together, with a clear focus, will result in us taking greater strides collectively. I am committed to a path that will significantly improve our operations and fortify the needed infrastructure that keeps propelling Howard forward towards its maximum strength.

Committed to Truth and Service,

Ben Vinson III, Ph.D.
President