Mini Grants

What are mini grants?
RU FAIR mini grants are designed for faculty advancement/development to stimulate interdisciplinary course development, training, leadership and research as well as to increase retention through strengthened networks and informal mentorship, thus furthering the professional advancement and collaboration potential of SEM women, especially minority women. Of particular interest is the desire and need to provide seed money for interdisciplinary research collaborations between Rutgers women’s programs, such as the nationally acclaimed Rutgers Institute for Women’s Leadership (IWL), and Rutgers SEM faculty.

Who can apply?
RU FAIR Mini grants will be awarded to qualified individuals and/or teams of researchers, in NSF supported academic disciplines across Rutgers for initiatives that encourage interdisciplinary research across school campuses and improve the climate for SEM women on all three campuses of Rutgers. Applications from faculty not in disciplines supported by NSF will only be considered if collaborating with an NSF supported discipline.

What is the selection criteria?
The criteria for evaluating proposals will include feasibility, campus needs, and potential to promote interdisciplinary, inter-school and intercampus activities that will lead to a permanent change in the culture of Rutgers University.

Grant awards are anticipated to range in amount from $500 to $5,000, with the expectation of annually awarding 5-7 grants.

When is the deadline?
The deadline for mini grant proposal submissions for this year was July 17, 2009. The next Call for Proposals will be issued in Summer 2010.

What is an example of a mini grant that has been funded?
To view examples of funded mini grants and upcoming mini grant events, please click here.