CALL FOR PROPOSALS

CALL FOR RESEARCH CIRCLES, SEMINAR SERIES, STRATEGIC SPEAKERS, AND DEVELOPMENT FUNDS

The International Institute, with generous support from the Division of International Studies and Global Studies, announces a competition for new initiatives in International Studies. 

I. Research Circles

Individuals and groups are invited to submit proposals indicating their interest in the Research Circle initiative in International Studies. Proposed initiatives may build on the work of existing Research Circles of the International Institute or they may be an entirely new initiative, as long as they meet the criteria below. Please note, however, that the Research Circle competition is not intended to provide institutional funding for existing or proposed centers. A two-part application process will take place. Pre-proposals will be due on February 15, 2008. Decisions as to this phase of the competition will be announced by March 1, 2008. Applicants selected by the committee to continue will be invited to submit full length proposals by April 1, 2008. Applicants will be notified on or before May 1, 2008 about the results of the competition. Circle activities may start after July 1, 2008.

The International Institute Research Circles join together groups of faculty, graduate students, and staff to advance research on particular intellectual themes of international relevance.  Research Circles will be funded for three years, with starting dates staggered.  Up to two proposals will be selected for the first year. The maximum total grant per proposal will be $64,000 with an approximate division of up to $16,000 in the first year, up to $32,000 in the second year and up to $16,000 in the third year.  A call for proposals for additional circles will be made each spring as long as the program remains active.

The Research Circles bring together scholars from several disciplines working on broad thematic issues of contemporary and historical concern with special emphasis on topics that encourage trans-area studies and collaboration among Institute member programs.  These initiatives may take various forms and may include a combination of activities, including organizing lectures, thematic workshops, conferences or film series, developing graduate seminars, publishing research, and sponsoring visiting scholars.  Proposals indicating potential for future extramural grants will be given priority. We have the expectation of concrete outcomes from the Research Circles. Although existing Research Circles are eligible to reapply, applications for continued support should demonstrate a history of such outcomes, including publications, new curricula, or extramural support.

We encourage proposed Research Circles to partner with an Institute member program for administrative services. In lieu of an appropriate and/or willing program, Global Studies has offered administrative assistance to research circles.

Please note that applicants can only put their name on one Research Circle application as leader or co-leader of the project. It is unlikely that the committee will fund two circles that involve similar participants. Applicants to the Research Circle competition may put their name on one Institute Seminar Series application.

How will proposals be evaluated and selected?

A five-member faculty review committee will review and recommend to the director the most promising proposals. Four members will be nominated by the International Institute Strategic Planning Committee and approved by the International Institute Academic Planning Council.  The associate dean of the Division International Studies will serve as the fifth member of the committee. Faculty serving in leadership roles in Research Circle applications may not serve on the committee.In evaluating pre-proposals and final submissions, the faculty review committee will consider such factors:

• The importance and originality of the topic and expected outcome of the project
• The interdisciplinary makeup of the initiative leaders and efforts to cross disciplinary boundaries
• The extent to which the initiative has the potential to attract extramural support
• The extent to which the initiative will support or enhance graduate student training
• The potential to link UW faculty and students to counterparts elsewhere, particularly overseas
• The degree to which proposals reflect an interest in involving both junior and senior faculty, as well as graduate students
• Coherence of the proposed activities and overall academic excellence of the proposal

What should be included in the pre-proposal?

Please include the following information in no more than 1200 words:

• A cover sheet with name of faculty leader or co-leaders of project; contact information; project title; Institute program affiliation(s); name, email address and phone number of administrative contact
• Names and qualifications of at least two initiative faculty leaders (CVs attached)
• Theme to be explored and its significance
• Possible activities of project and expected outcome in terms of publications, courses, curriculum initiative, external grant, etc.
• Names of participants on campus
• Names of partners at other institutions in the U.S. and overseas
• Information on other possible sources of funding, intramural and extramural
• Signature of at least two sponsoring Institute programs

What should be included in the full proposal?

Those selected to submit a full proposal should expand the pre-proposal requirements and include a full budget in no more than 3000 words.

• Preliminary budget (see attached guidelines)

• Year 1: Preparation: build goals, strategy, and create group identity
• Year 2: Performance: events, lectures, and/or conferences
• Year 3: Follow-up: grant proposal, publication support

Where should the proposal be submitted?

Please submit pre-proposals electronically to gpodesta@international.wisc.edu and mtbirdbear@international.wisc.edu no later than 4 pm, February15, 2008. Full length proposals are due by 4 pm, April 1, 2008. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt within 24 hours, please call 262-5805.

II. Seminar Series, Strategic Speakers, and Development Funds

Individuals, groups, and member programs are invited to submit proposals indicating their interest in A) year-long research seminars on particular themes; B) one featured lecturer who would speak on a topic of interest to all member programs; and/or C) funds for development initiatives in area, international, and global studies. Applications for more than one of the following activities are permitted. Proposed initiatives may build on the work of existing Research Circles of the International Institute or they may be an entirely new initiative or set of activities, as long as they meet the criteria listed below. We have the expectation of concrete outcomes for each of these activities.

Promising proposals of no more than 800 words will be due by April 1, 2008. Applicants will be notified on or before May 1, 2008, about the results of the competition.  Funded activities may begin any time after July 1, 2008, and must be completed by June 30, 2009.

The same committee for the Research Circle competition will evaluate all other initiatives. Criteria for evaluating each initiative are listed below.

A. International Institute Global Studies Seminars – up to four awards of $5,000 will be made in 2008
We invite applications for year-long faculty-graduate seminars on global, comparative, or trans-area themes. These should be submitted by at least two individuals who are members of the faculty and/or academic staff affiliated with different International Institute member programs. Each seminar will receive $5,000, which can be used for activities supporting the seminar, e.g., to purchase readings and other materials, bring in outside speakers, fund video conferencing, create a Web site, or promote events related to the seminar. Global Studies will serve as the administrator of these seminars unless a specific request is made otherwise.
The following criteria will be used to evaluate the seminar proposals:

• The importance and originality of the seminar theme
• Possible outcomes from the seminar in terms of new research directions, publications, proposal for a Research Circle, grants, creation of a permanent course, etc.
• The interdisciplinary makeup of the seminar leaders and participants
• The degree to which proposals include both junior and senior faculty, as well as graduate students
• The extent to which the initiative builds on or links up with existing global or international programs and initiatives on campus
• The potential to link UW faculty and students to counterparts elsewhere, particularly overseas video metawebsites, video conferencing, visiting speakers
• Possible impact on undergraduate curriculum

What should be included in the proposal?

• Cover sheet with names of faculty seminar leaders; seminar title and departmental and Institute program affiliations; contact information; and amount requested. If an Institute program other than Global Studies is to administer the seminar, please indicate.
• Names and qualifications of at least two initiative faculty leaders (CVs attached)
• Theme to be explored and its significance
• Expected outcomes of seminar
• Names of possible faculty and graduate participants on campus
• Proposed budget, including sources of supplemental funding if necessary (see attached information for funding guidelines)
• Signature of at least two sponsoring Institute programs.

B. Strategic Speaker Fund – one award of up to $6,000 will be made 
We invite proposals for one featured speaker who would come to campus for an extended visit with opportunities for large and small group interactions with International Institute program members. The speaker should provide an opportunity for member programs to develop the intellectual community of the Institute, to seek expert guidance on issues that impact our future (certifying global competence, distance learning, languages, etc.), and/or to provide a forum for exchange and planning on such critical issues.  Proposals for the speaker should be no more than 800 words (excluding bio and/or CV) and should include:

• A cover sheet with name of applicant, applicant’s International Institute program; contact information, name of administrative contact and e-mail address; amount requested
• The name, title, bio and/or CV of the proposed speaker
• Proposed topic of speaker’s presentation(s)
• Educational and networking activities the speaker might engage in while on campus for an extended visit
• Benefit to existing Institute member programs and initiatives
• Ways in which the speaker’s visit would enhance our discussions as an intellectual community
• Signature of at least two sponsoring Institute programs
• Budget (see attached information for funding guidelines)

C. Support for Development Activities – total of $32,000 will be available annually and awards will be made on rolling basis
We invite applications from International Institute member programs interested in engaging in the development of initiatives that will benefit a program, multiple programs, or the Institute program as a whole. The development activities initiative is aimed at strengthening the next round of Title VI applications by member programs as well as helping member programs to develop alternative sources of financial support. For example, funds could be used to hire students or project assistants on a short-term basis to help develop grant proposals or to free up time for center directors and associate directors to concentrate on grant and other development opportunities or to travel to meet a potential donor or granting agency.  Proposals should include:

• The program applying for support and names and titles of individuals associated with the development initiative; contact information for applicants
• A brief description of the theme of the development initiative and why it is important, interesting and original
• Benefits of the initiative for international or global studies at UW-Madison and for the program
• Expectation of amount to be raised
• Time frame, budget, and budget explanation for use of funds awarded (see attached information for funding guidelines)
• Funding sources for initiative (to be applied for with development grant)

Where should proposals be submitted?

Please submit proposals electronically gpodesta@international.wisc.edu and mtbirdbear@international.wisc.edu no later than 4 pm, April 1st, 2008. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt within 24 hours, please call 262-5805.

Where can additional information and advice on these competitions be obtained?
Contact:
Guido Podesta, Associate Dean, Division of International Studies,
262-5805 or gpodesta@international.wisc.edu or Marianne Bird Bear, Associate Dean, Division of International Studies, 262-1335 or mtbirdbear@international.wisc.edu

Find out more about the International Institute on its Web page: 
www.intl-institute.wisc.edu

See Funding Guidelines for additional budgetary information.