Details

The Einaudi Center's faculty seed grants advance international research and education at Cornell and support international activities and events.

Applications are now open! Read about the research Einaudi seeded in 2024. 

Priority: Bringing Researchers Together

Einaudi seed grants promote the work of internationally engaged Cornell faculty. The awards seed faculty's interdisciplinary research and educational initiatives and support international studies workshops and seminars organized under faculty leadership. All disciplines and topics are welcome.

"If you think about the issues of nationalism, climate change, threats to humanitarian aid—a lot of the things that are foremost on our minds these days are affecting not only the U.S. They really are very global. And at the same time as they’re global threats and interests, the forms they take and the abilities to address them differ a lot across different regions and across different peoples and places."

~ Ellen Lust

Program Alignment

Our seed grants aim to encourage research and thinking that reach across world regions and bring together researchers who have deep knowledge in different regions and disciplines.

Proposals must indicate alignment with at least one of our international studies programs. The program director's acknowledgment of alignment does not guarantee the proposal will be funded or that the program will provide logistical or administrative support. 

Applicants: Please initiate a discussion with the faculty program director(s) in advance of submitting your application. We encourage discussing any necessary program support before submitting your proposal.

Proposals that engage two or more programs are eligible for larger awards of up to $25,000.

Eligibility

Tenured and tenure-track Cornell faculty are eligible to apply as individuals or as a team. Faculty-led programs and centers across campus, in all Cornell colleges and schools, are also eligible for the awards.

• Funding-eligible activities include data collection, travel, meetings, research assistance, public engagement initiatives, curricular development, conferences/workshops, and virtual networks.
• Activities not eligible for funding include salary offset, summer salary, computers/equipment, student stipends, and tuition.

Note: The Einaudi Center will not accept proposals from previous awardees whose projects are still in progress or recipients who failed to submit a final report by the deadline stated in the award letter.

Period of Activity

All funds must be used within one year of the award date.

Proposal Evaluation 

All successful proposals will meet these criteria. The proposal:

• Shows a high likelihood of generating new knowledge of key economic, environmental, social, cultural, or political problems in the world.
• Includes a detailed dissemination and/or public engagement strategy.
• Includes a methodologically sound assessment plan and clearly articulated deliverables.
• Includes a budget appropriate for planned activities.
• Includes a sustainable future funding plan.

Research Criteria

Successful research proposals will also meet the following criteria. The research project: 

• Aligns with one or more Einaudi international studies programs and produces long-term benefits to international studies at Cornell.
• Engages faculty from different disciplines and colleges. Creates networks that connect scholars across the university and around the world.
• Generates new knowledge of key economic, environmental, social, cultural, or political questions in the world.
• Will launch external funding requests with high potential of securing follow-on funding.

Workshop and Event Criteria

Successful proposals for event support will also meet the following criteria. The event: 

• Aligns with one or more Einaudi international studies programs and produces long-term benefits to international studies at Cornell.
• Increases the global understanding and competence of faculty, students, international partners, and/or the general public.
• Generates valuable discussion and knowledge of key economic, environmental, social, cultural, or political questions in the world.

How to Apply

Complete the seed grant funding application. Applicants must submit a proposal including the following:

• Statement including objectives, activities, work plan, expected outputs, beneficiaries, and impact
• Detailed budget with justification of expenses
• Curricula vitae (CVs) for principal faculty
• For research proposals:
  • Plans for pursuing future research and external follow-on funding
  • Human subjects approval, where relevant

Questions?

Please email our academic programming staff if you have questions about the seed grant program or your application.