Opportunities at the Center
Academic Quality Fund, Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race, Columbia University
The Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race announces its research and academic initiatives grant competition, funded by Columbia University's Academic Quality Fund. The purpose of these grants is to foster research and academic exchanges around the core mission of CSER: to study ethnic hierarchy in our social and knowledge worlds, and to foster creative, multidisciplinary intervention in this field.
Faculty and students from the University may apply for grants in the following categories:
1. Graduate research or workshops. To fund pre-doctoral research trips to archives or libraries and field work. Maximum of $3,000.
2. Undergraduate research grants. Up to $300. To fund senior thesis research projects.
3. Faculty research. Maximum $3,000.
4. Symposiums, conferences, or year-long programs. Awards between $3,000 and $10,000.
Grants will be awarded after a review of proposals by an interdisciplinary faculty committee appointed by the Center's Director, Professor Claudio Lomnitz. Awards may be taken up at any time during the fiscal year from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.
ELIGIBILITY. Any Columbia faculty, graduate and undergraduate student with a research project relevant to the Center's mission may apply.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES. Proposals will consist of: a) application sheet (see below); (b) a project narrative of a maximum of three pages in length which describes the nature of the project and its scholarly importance; (c) a one-page budget containing a detailed breakdown and timeline of projected expenditures; and (d) applicant's curriculum vitae. Students should also include a letter from their supervisor. All proposals should be submitted via email to Leon James Bynum, at ljb39@columbia.edu. Grantee names and project titles will be published in the Center's website.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS. Proposals for awards in FY 2009 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009) must be submitted by April 7, 2008 to receive priority consideration for funding. Grants will be announced April 21, 2008 on the Center's website.
AWARD CATEGORIES. Awards will be made for the specific purposes as per the brief description below.
(1) GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH OR WORKSHOP GRANTS. Small research grants can be used at any time during the year for data-gathering, books and materials, or other expenses. These funds cannot be used for purchasing equipment, such as computers. Grants for workshops are generally small, intended to encourage scholars working on a significant issue to exchange ideas, often at a preliminary stage of their research. Maximum award is $3,000.
(2) UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH GRANTS. Small research grants can be used at any time during the year for data-gathering, books and materials, or other expenses in connection with a senior thesis or research seminar paper. Priority will be given to majors in Latino/a Studies, Asian American Studies and Comparative Ethnic Studies, but students in other majors are encouraged to apply. Maximum award is $300.
(3) FACULTY RESEARCH GRANTS. Small research grants can be used at any time during the year for data-gathering, books and materials, research assistance, or other expenses which will facilitate faculty research. These funds cannot be used for purchasing equipment, such as computers. Maximum award is $3,000. Priority in the awarding of these grants will be made to junior faculty members, but other members of the faculty are also encouraged to apply.
(4) FACULTY SYMPOSIUMS, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES OR YEAR-LONG PROGRAMS. Grants will be made for conferences or other events at Columbia University which promise a broad scholarly impact. Faculty may apply for funding to cover such customary conference costs as honoraria and travel costs for outside speakers, room rentals, and brochures and conference materials. Priority in the awarding of conference funds will be accorded to conferences which promise to result in significant publications. Cost sharing and co-sponsorship is encouraged. Maximum conference grant is $10,000.
Annual Undergraduate Student Conference: Race and Ethnicity in America and the World
Call for Papers/Abstracts
The conference is open to undergraduate juniors and seniors in all disciplines in New York City and surrounding areas. They are invited to address the broad range of questions that bear upon the ideas and ideologies of race and ethnicity in America and the modern world. We are looking for papers that deal with the art, lives and experiences of persons of Latino, Afro-American, Asian and Native American descent within North America and beyond.
The conference will take place at Columbia University on May 2 and is designed to give ungraduate students an opportunity to showcase their work and experience in presenting it. Abstracts and proposals will be accepted until April 8th. Accepted presentations will be notified by April 11th and drafts will be expected by April 24th.
Visiting Scholar Positions
The Center invites applications for competitive visiting scholar positions for the academic year 2008-09. Deadline for applications is November 1, 2007.
To apply as a visiting scholar, submit a research statement, not to exceed three double-spaced pages, of the work to be undertaken while in residence at the Center, a rationale for visiting the Center, a curriculum vitae, and a writing sample. Successful applicants will receive no stipend but will share a desk and receive printing and mailing privileges. Library and e-mail privileges can be purchased for a small monthly fee. Visiting scholars are expected to participate in and contribute to the intellectual life of the Center.
Send applications to:
Claudio Lomnitz, Director
Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race
422 Hamilton Hall, MC 2880
1130 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-854-0507
Fax: 212-854-0500
E-mail cl2510@columbia.edu