Student Annual Research Theme Grant

Student Annual Research Theme Grant is sponsored by Franco Family Institute for Liberal Arts and the Public Good, University of Notre Dame. Supports scholarly engagement with research themes of societal importance; the theme for Academic Year 2025-2026 is 'Attention'.

Annual Research Theme › Graduate Student Annual Research Theme Grant Graduate Student Annual Research Theme Grant Request for Proposals: Annual Research Theme Grant Applications accepted on a rolling basis beginning September 1, 2026, while funding remains available. Apply via our Submittable Page . This competition is open to all graduate students in the College of Arts & Letters.

Applications accepted at any time until funds for this program are exhausted. Supported projects must be completed by September 1 of the following academic year. Grantees must provide a final report to the Franco Institute within 30 days of the supported research activity.

Please note: All students awarded an annual research theme grant must agree to present their work in-progress as part of a poster session at the Franco Institute's annual Day | Merton Symposium to be held April 15, 2027. The Franco Institute will provide additional funding to support the printing of posters for this session. Poster expenses do not need to be included in the proposed budget.

Eligible expenses include research and creative arts materials needed to directly support the completion of the project, such as transcription services, travel, archive/library assistance, survey and computer programming support, and human subject payments.

Funds may not be used for applicant salary/stipend, professional development activities, teaching programs or course development, office supplies, publication costs, or computer equipment. Required application materials An application form through Submittable. A 100-word abstract that outlines your project's primary goals, planned contribution, and engagement with this year's research theme.

A proposal (1000 words max.) that includes: the primary goals of your project; your sources and methods and how they will help you achieve the goals of the project; the specific contributions your project will make to scholarship, society, or both; how your project responds to this year’s research theme as outlined in the call for proposals.

A project timeline outlining your plan for the grant period, including key goals and targeted completion dates for each (1 page max.)

An itemized budget (must use the approved budget template ) Applications will be evaluated based on the level of engagement with the research theme, intellectual merit, the potential impact of the project for scholars and the public (for undergraduates, impact on their growth as a scholar), and the researcher’s qualifications to conduct the proposed work.

Budget items with insufficient justification may be reduced or eliminated in an award offer. Proposal preparation and submission All proposals should be double-spaced, with one-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font. Up to two critical figures, illustrations, or images may be included to supplement the project narrative.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the academic year beginning September 1 and continuing until allocated funds are exhausted. Questions and additional information Please direct questions to Lindsay Paturalski ( lpatura2@nd. edu ), Student Grants Program Manager at the Franco Institute.

Frequently Asked Questions When will I know if I have been awarded a grant? Decisions for Annual Research Theme grants are usually made within two weeks of receipt of all required materials. Are staff eligible for this grant?

Only students and regular faculty members with primary appointments in the College of Arts & Letters are eligible for Annual Research Theme grants. How can I be sure to receive a grant? Awards are made on a competitive basis, and funding is not guaranteed for any project.

Applications are evaluated based on the criteria listed above. Applicants are encouraged to contact Lindsay Paturalski, Student Grants Program Manager, to discuss the fit of their proposed project with grants and for help developing competitive proposals. Can students get both an annual research theme grant and another Franco Institute grant?

Receiving an annual research theme grant does not, in itself, affect your eligibility for other grants. Students must submit different applications and budgets to each Franco Institute grant program. Other Franco awards can support additional research on the same topic.