Active Call for Proposals

2024 BLAIS CHALLENGE AWARDS

Request for Proposals

 Closing Date: November 4, 2024

The Claremont Graduate University Faculty Research Committee invites core faculty at the Claremont Colleges to develop proposals for the 2024 BLAIS challenge awards. The initiative must be led by one or more CGU core faculty members and include active participation by core faculty at one or more of the undergraduate Claremont Colleges. BLAIS proposals must be submitted by a CGU core faculty member. Awards are in the range of $10,000-$25,000.

The BLAIS Foundation is a CGU endowment devoted to the promotion and support of academic cooperation between CGU and the undergraduate Claremont Colleges. New BLAIS challenge awards will be available on or about Dec 1, 2024 with funds to be spent through June 30, 2026.

A proposed BLAIS initiative must have at least one of the following features:

• A service and/or applied research program designed to help local communities outside of the Claremont Colleges and to create/strengthen firm linkages. Communities may be defined by geography, interests, or affiliations. Proposals focused on the following are especially encouraged:

• Communities in immediate proximity to the Claremont Colleges
• Communities/organizations that can provide internship/work experiences for graduate and undergraduate students beyond the life of the project
• Projects leading to external funding applications in collaboration with community partners
• Projects involving transdisciplinary teams

• Collaborative research meant to result in joint series of publications and/or external funding applications. Proposals focused on the following are especially encouraged:

• Development of research teams integrating faculty and students
• Programs (e.g. multiple studies) of research amenable to extramural funding
• Programs of research involving transdisciplinary teams

• Innovative academic program development, such as a new curriculum, new or enhanced instructional technology, or a thematic series of creative learning experiences outside of traditional coursework (BLAIS challenge awards will not pay for faculty to teach courses). The following are especially encouraged:

• Applied project-based proposals
• Projects engaging external communities and organizations
• Projects taking a transdisciplinary approach

Important! In keeping with CGU’s strategic research priorities, a proposed BLAIS initiative must address at least one of the following key areas: Human Health & Flourishing, Leadership & Mentoring, Data Analysis & Computational Mathematics, Applied Arts & Humanities, and Policy & Society.

BLAIS Challenge Awards may involve a challenge condition (such as matched funding) to be met before all funds are released. Challenge conditions may be proposed by applicants; however, any challenge conditions will be determined and finalized by the committee and definitively stated in the notice of award.

Projects will be reviewed by the CGU Faculty Research Committee and judged on the following points: embracing the letter and spirit of the BLAIS mission to strengthen intercollegiate cooperation; clear and ambitious goals; thoughtful, sound, feasible implementation plans; persuasive evidence of interest or support beyond CGU; provisions to develop a new line/lines of internal or external support to for the proposed initiative; reportable measures or milestones to evaluate progress toward the project’s goals; overall benefit to the University, fit with the above-noted areas of emphasis.

Proposals must include all of the following components, preferably in docx format:

• • A publishable summary of the project, not to exceed 100 words.
  • A clear description of the aims, methods, schedule, and expected products/results of the project, explaining how the project would satisfy each of the eligibility requirements and points stated above. Maximum length is 1,500 words, not including references or any items below.
  • A detailed budget (see template below)
  • A list of up to five lead participants, including a clear explanation of what each participant will contribute to the project and how leaders will manage the project.
  • A brief biosketch or CV (2 page maximum) for each lead participant.
  • If applicable, letters of interest or support from pertinent community agencies or representatives

Proposed projects may be entirely new or may build on activities already underway, including activities that may have received previous BLAIS Challenge support—however, any earlier BLAIS funding must have been completed and a final report submitted by the date of submission of the new proposal.

All proposals received by midnight, November 4, 2024 will be reviewed and responded to by November 30, 2024.

Submit all proposals electronically to Eusebio.Alvaro@cgu.edu

Budget Template for BLAIS Challenge