Funding for Ongoing Faculty Research Initiatives
Groups of Northwestern University faculty may apply for up to $10,000 of funding per year to further shared research interests and spur new work.
Beginning in the 2026–27 academic year, the Roberta Buffett Institute will support faculty-led ongoing research initiatives on global and international research topics broadly defined, including regional, topical, and theoretical areas of inquiry. Rather than supporting a single research project or event, these initiatives are intended to bring together Northwestern faculty around a shared area of interest through ongoing programming and scholarly exchange. Depending on their activities, initiatives may take different forms, such as working groups, labs, and fora.
Groups will be funded at up to $10,000 per year for a term of up to four years. Annual renewal is subject to annual review of activities, and term renewal is subject to a review of the initiative’s first term and the program in general.
Groups may use funds to support lunch series, workshops, and other activities that promote sustained engagement among Northwestern faculty and, where appropriate, graduate students. Groups may also use a limited amount of the funds to bring speakers to campus. Planned expenses are subject to Institute approval.
Application deadline: October 22
Funds available by the end of fall quarter
- Applications must be led by at least two tenure-track Northwestern faculty and must include at least four full-time, benefits-eligible, tenure-line, or clinical/instructional Northwestern faculty. Graduate students may also join.
- These grants are open to topics on any geographic region outside of the contiguous United States.
- Full-time, benefits-eligible Northwestern Qatar faculty members are eligible for these grants.
- Recipients are expected to acknowledge the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern University in all publications, publicity materials, and conferences that result from their receipt of this funding. They are also expected to provide the Institute with a copy of any book or article that culminates from our support, even if also supported by other funding, and to notify the Institute of any news articles or media appearances.
- Applicants whose projects involve human research participants are fully responsible for completing all the pertinent requirements of the International Review Board (IRB) Office.
- Applicants are fully responsible for adhering to Office of Research recommendations on Export Controls & International Compliance.
These awards may not be used to:
- Purchase research equipment
- Cover group members’ salaries, living expenses, or research travel
Faculty seeking to host an international visitor should instead apply to the Buffett Visiting Scholars Program and, if needed, for a Global Collaboration Grant to cover related expenses.
Applications are due October 22. A faculty committee will decide on awards. Applicants can expect to hear back four weeks after the deadline. For any questions, including requests to find potential collaborators, please contact Harrington Weihl, the Roberta Buffett Institute's Director of Research, before applying.
Review criteria include:
- Description: Applicants are expected to provide a description of their global topic including a rationale for the research initiative, clear intended activities and outcomes, and significant previous collaborations that led to this initiative.
- Provisional spending plan: A rough outline, using this provided template, of how the group would use the requested funds in its first and second years.