The Environment Initiative Seed Funding Program, which will support both research and curricular projects, is open for proposals.
“This seed funding is the first of many investments in research and teaching that is problem-centered and brings multiple disciplines to bear on forging a solution,” said Adell Amos. executive director of the Environment Initiative. “This program is a significant step toward enhancing our research and teaching across disciplines.”
The funding program is driven by the Environment Initiative, which aims to focus the intellectual energy and work of faculty, students, and community partners on a just and livable future through transdisciplinary research, teaching, and experiential learning. The initiative is one of the UO’s Academic Initiatives, efforts to work across disciplines designed to develop the next generation of leaders and problem solvers.
Given the shared goal of the initiative and the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), the units are collaborating to sponsor the Environment Initiative Seed Funding Program.
The program consists of two award mechanisms: Research Awards and Curriculum Awards.
Research Awards are designed to develop collaborations to a transdisciplinary line of research and secure external funding.
“This program supports OVPRI’s goals in enhancing interdisciplinary research. This opportunity is looking to support partnerships between natural scientists and social scientists, humanists, and faculty from the professional schools,” said Cass Moseley, vice president for research and innovation.
The Curriculum Awards support proposals for new courses, experiential learning opportunities, or degree programs that align with and reflect the initiative’s Guiding Principles and promote learning for a just and livable future. Proposals should be inter- or transdisciplinary, focused on problem-centered methodologies and research models, and/or articulate student-centered outcomes that relate to future professional work.
“I am excited about the potential for horizontal alignment between our research and teaching endeavors created by this collaboration,” said Provost Patrick Phillips “I am equally excited to see the energy and expertise of our faculty grow in this direction and to learn what projects are funded and developed through these mechanisms.”
The director of the Environment Initiative and the vice president for research and innovation will appoint a group of faculty to conduct peer review and rank proposals. A mandatory letter of intent is due Feb. 15 and full applications are due by March 7. Review the full Request for Proposals for more details. For questions, contact Research Development Services at rds@uoregon.edu.