AAI Arts & Humanities Grant
We believe that looking at societal problems through the lens of the arts and humanities helps to think through issues, compliments and articulates the work of science and education, and engages multiple perspectives.
The Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI) is pleased to announce our Arts & Humanities Grant, now in its fourth year, is accepting proposals. The purpose of the grant program is to foster deeper ties between the arts and humanities and the education and social sciences within which most of AAI’s work is focused. We believe that looking at societal problems through the lens of the arts and humanities helps to think through issues, compliments and articulates the work of science and education, and engages various perspectives.
Work in AAI focuses on enhancing educational opportunity; optimizing the well-being of children, youth, and families, creating accessible assessment systems that better support student learning (especially for struggling learners), and creating educational technologies and data systems that support students, teachers, and organizations.
Proposed projects must connect to one of AAI’s areas of focus and there is a requirement that a first activity in any project is a dialogue with staff members within AAI who focus on the area to which the project is connected. There is no need to identify in advance who in AAI will participate in the opening discussion and no requirement that the dialog influence or be reflected in the finished project. We ask that projects be completed within a year from the start of the next semester after award notification (i.e. between January 2025 and January 2026 for this round).
Any tenure track faculty, teaching professor, or multiterm lecturer in a department considered by KU to be in the arts or humanities is eligible. Certain unclassified academic staff (library or museum, for example) may also be eligible. Contact us regarding the latter.
Any project that can be completed in one year is eligible. General examples include creation of artwork in any medium, or scholarly analysis through an arts or humanities lens. Proposed projects must connect to one of AAI’s areas of focus. Reviewing the work of our many centers may help to match your focus.
AAI will cover up to $12,000 for any expenses allowable under university and KU Office of Research guidelines. For example, money might be used to cover summer salary for the faculty member or a course buyout during the year, hiring a student assistant, travel, or materials. Since this is being funded by AAI, a university research center, there will be no indirect charges to be paid out of the grant.
The proposal should be a maximum of five pages, single spaced, with a minimum 1-inch margin on all sides, minimum 11-point font, and page numbers on all pages. The proposal should cover the following and include headers for each part:
- Project Description (Description of the project including any products or events that will be the result of the project)
- Connection with AAI (How the project connects to the work of AAI)
- Importance (Why this project is important to either your field, AAI’s mission, or both)
- Qualifications (Why you are qualified to carry out this project)
- Budget (If you need help creating the budget, we can provide that.)
- Schedule (When you will start and finish and any other key dates)
Requested proposal file type is PDF.
Proposals must be received by 5 PM. Central Standard Time Friday, September 27.
AAI will establish a review committee to evaluate proposals. This committee will include individuals from AAI and its centers, as well as representatives from KU's arts & humanities community.
Our goal is to inform the awardee by Friday, October 18, but this might be impacted by the number of proposals.