The College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) Research and Creative Grants are intended to support and encourage the growth of research and creative work in VPA. Additional goals include attracting external funding, prestigious awards, and other forms of national or international recognition. Proposals that align with one or more of the areas of distinctive and aspirational excellence in the University’s Academic Strategic Plan are desired. Faculty are also encouraged to include students in proposed projects. Finally, proposals that represent collaborations across disciplines are strongly encouraged.

Deadline to submit: The 2025-26 application cycle is now closed.

Awards

Research and Creative Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000.

• 2024-25 Research and Creative Grant awardees are ineligible to apply in 2025-26. They will be eligible to apply again in 2026-27.

• Awardees of this competition (a 2025-26 Research and Creative Grant) will not be eligible to apply for a 2025-26 VPA Faculty Enrichment Fund

• Awardees of this competition will also not be eligible to apply for a 2025-26 Faculty Creative Activities and Research (FCAR) Grant.

Eligibility

All VPA tenure track and tenured full-time faculty are eligible to apply. Non-tenure track faculty, including postdoctoral scholars and visiting professors, are not eligible to apply. Additionally, to allow the funding of multiple projects:

• 2024-25 Research and Creative Grant awardees are ineligible to apply in 2025-26. They will be eligible to apply again in 2026-27.

• Awardees of this competition (a 2025-26 Research and Creative Grant) will not be eligible to apply for a 2025-26 VPA Faculty Enrichment Fund

• Awardees of this competition will also not be eligible to apply for a 2025-26 Faculty Creative Activities and Research (FCAR) Grant.

Permissible Costs

Funds may be used for the following:

• Travel costs for faculty and/or collaborators essential to the creative initiative.

• Data collection or analysis (including hourly work by VPA graduate students*).

• Software, supplies, or other related tools and materials essential to research and creative work (purchases of software or any technological device must be approved by Michael Currie, Associate Director of IT mcurrie@syr.edu).

• Costs supporting innovative and collaborative projects such as performances, exhibits, etc.

Funds may not be used for:

• Payments to any Syracuse University faculty or staff (salary, stipends, honoraria).

• Program development, evaluation, or travel without an accompanying research or creative work component.

• Subcontracts to external institutions or organizations.

• Reimbursements for payments to third parties. Payments for services rendered (e.g. transcription costs, photography, videography, editing) must be approved for and paid by the University directly via approved contracts.

 *Requests for undergraduate research and creative activities and undergraduate research assistants should be made to the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Engagement (The SOURCE). Applications for academic year SOURCE Research Assistant Grants will be due September 25, 2025.

DEADLINE FOR USING FUNDS: MAY 15, 2026 Funds awarded must be spent and receipts submitted for reimbursement by Friday, May 15, 2026. School and department internal deadlines may vary – check with your departmental administrator. Funds not spent by this deadline will be returned to the College for reallocation to other applicants. Requests for extensions are not allowed.

Proposal Preparation Guidelines and Content

Applications for the VPA Research and Creative Grants 2025-26 must be submitted via the Syracuse University Application Portal. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Questions?

For questions regarding proposal suitability, budget construction, or application submission, please email Dr. Seyeon Lee (slee80@syr.edu) or Dr. Christina Leigh Docteur in the Office of Academic Affairs (cdocteur@syr.edu) or call 315.443.0137.