Welcome to the Humanities Initiative

The Humanities Initiative makes available a limited number of grants in support of projects with a humanistic focus. Specifically intended to augment the funds of schools and departments, these Grants-in-Aid provide financial assistance for special class activities, faculty research projects, publication costs, and special events such as conferences, lectures, and seminars.

Eligibility
All full-time faculty and departments are eligible to apply.

Selection criteria
Each proposal is reviewed by the Humanities Initiative Grant-in-Aid Subcommittee and is evaluated in accordance with the applicant’s statement of its intellectual purpose and significance. Preference will be given to applications that reflect the participation of more than one department or school.

Funding
Grants-in-Aid provide funding up to a maximum of $5,000 for conferences and collaborative projects, and up to a maximum of $2,000 for individual research needs, such as the subvention of translation or permission costs. Funding is not available for a single visiting lecturer or for any activities or conferences that do not take place at NYU or an NYU global site.

After receiving funding for an individual project, awardees may not apply again for three years. However, there are no restrictions regarding application for conferences or other collaborative projects.

Reporting
A report, including a summary of expenditures, is requested at the conclusion of the project.

Application format
Applications should contain the following materials:

1. Face sheet
   Please include the following:
   • Name and full title of applicant(s)
   • Department and school of applicant(s)
   • Office address (including NYU mail code)
   • Telephone and fax numbers
   • E-mail address
   • Amount requested
   • Duration/Date(s) of project
2. Description of project
   Please include a clear statement, consisting of no more than 1000 words, describing the intellectual purpose and significance of the project. If the project involves speakers, please include curricula vitae (no more than two pages) or biographical sketches.
3. Budget
   Itemize costs on one page. If appropriate, indicate other sources of funding for which you have applied and enclose confirming documentation. If other funds have already been committed or secured, please indicate sources and amounts. Faculty with individual research funds should state why these funds are not being used if the request for a Grant-in-Aid is of an individual nature. Please download the Guidelines for a sample budget.
4. Joint sponsors
   If appropriate, please list any institutions jointly sponsoring your project.
5. Participation in project
   Please provide answers to the following questions:
   • What NYU departments/schools, besides your own, do you expect to participate in the project?
   • Will the audience be interdisciplinary and/or inter-school?
   • What will be the extent of NYU faculty representation/participation?

Application deadline and submission
The Committee meets once a semester to discuss applications. To ensure consideration, submit materials for a spring or summer event no later than close of business on November 1 (or the following Monday, if a weekend) of the prior semester and for a fall event, submit by close of business April 1 (or the following Monday, if a weekend). Applications arriving after these deadlines cannot be guaranteed consideration.

Items 1-5 described above should be submitted electronically as a single Microsoft Word (or compatible) document to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Further information
Questions regarding proposals are welcome and should be addressed to Asya Berger.