Ad Hoc Funds Program
The Office of the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs (DOF/VPAA) invites proposals for small seed grants of up to $2,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year, the focus of this year鈥檚 Ad Hoc Funds program. This focus aims to reinvigorate faculty research, scholarship, and creative work on campus by supporting faculty who seek to reengage with a project in development, shift the direction of their research/scholarship/creative work, prepare for external funding opportunities, strengthen the competitiveness of their proposals, or navigate changes in federal funding. Seed grants can be used for purposes such as attending relevant workshops, accessing paywalled sources, purchasing datasets, consulting advisors for competitive grant writing or resubmissions, providing short-term bridge support between grants, acquiring materials, preparing book proposals, conducting pilot or feasibility studies, exploring collaborations in new areas, or other types of support to help advance or reinvigorate a project.
Although other requests that adhere to the purpose of the Ad Hoc Funds program might be considered (i.e., those that fall outside the boundaries of programs administered by the Faculty Development Committee), priority will be given to requests that align with this year鈥檚 focus. To ensure a balanced consideration of requests and adequate distribution of the funds available, requests for Ad Hoc Funds will be reviewed in four cycles throughout the year (deadlines: September 12, November 21, February 6, April 3). All funds must be used by May 31, 2026.
Faculty requesting these seed grants should use the Ad Hoc Funds Online Application form and describe in the 鈥淩eason for Request鈥� how the funds will help them reengage with or shift their research/scholarship/creative agendas, prepare for external funding opportunities, or improve their chances of successful funding. The project description should outline future plans for continuing the research, scholarship, and creative work after the funds have been used.
Funds are limited, so faculty are encouraged to consider other sources of funding first if appropriate, such as departmental and program funds, Faculty Development Grants, Faculty Initiative Grants, or Travel to Read/Travel to Represent funds.
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Office of the Dean of the Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs, x5705