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Office of the Vice Provost for Research

 

University Seminars

Purpose

The University Seminars Funding Program was established in 1985 to foster sustained discussion of issues that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries among members of the George Washington University (GW) faculty, possibly including their distinguished counterparts in universities, research centers, federal agencies, international organizations and private industry throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The goal is to connect the traditional research and scholarly endeavors of the academy across disciplines, thereby ensuring an exchange of perspectives and information. The seminars should promote new inquiry rather than already established programs. Only topics that warrant intensive continuing inquiry are approved as organizing themes for University Seminars. These are designed to support faculty who want to explore a cross-disciplinary subject and as seed money to start up a collaborative project, and are not for credit nor are they courses.

University Seminars Series meet periodically during the academic year on the GW campus. The initial nucleus of each seminar is a group of highly qualified faculty from a range of appropriate departments and schools, and possibly distinguished individuals from outside the GW academic community. The chair of each seminar serves as convener. Distinguished guests may be invited to give presentations to stimulate discussion. However, the University Seminar should not be perceived only as a lecture series.

The goal is to encourage dialogue on cross-disciplinary issues of importance in such a way that there are demonstrable outcomes such as publications, white papers, grant proposals, curriculum reforms, scholarly discussion blogs, and the development of new courses, conference proceedings, or contributions to public policy. Seminar Series events should be publicized broadly within the GW community and must be shared with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) at [email protected] as they are scheduled.

Eligibility

A regular active status university faculty member must act as the convener of each University Seminar. The faculty member must be continuing in service at the university through the award period.

Proposal Components

Proposals are to be submitted through OVPR's InfoReady Portal. Please select the “Login for George Washington University Users” and login with your George Washington University UserID and password. Paper and emailed copies of proposal components will not be accepted; complete proposals must be submitted via OVPR's InfoReady Portal.

The application will consist of the following components:

Discussion, Participants and Plan (no more than 3 pages, single spaced)

  • A discussion of the topic to be addressed and its importance
  • A discussion of how the seminar will connect academic research and inquiry across disciplines and/or to larger cross-disciplinary issues in the areas of culture, business, policy, science, or other areas of similar dimension
  • A discussion of anticipated outcomes, processes and/or products
  • Names, affiliations, and expertise of GW faculty and any external participants who are committed to being a part of the seminar
  • A plan of action for Academic Year 2024-25, including your ideas for specific events and activities

Budget (1 page limit)

  • A proposed high-level budget that does not exceed $4,000. Allowable costs may include facilities, marketing, catering, honoraria, speaker travel and student support/compensation.

Prior year(s) events and outcomes (1 page limit, for renewal applications only)

  • Summary of prior year(s) events and outcomes

Deadline

Applications are due by Thursday, June 27, 2024; 1:00 pm

Application information for AY25-26 will be announced in Spring 2025

Expectations for Awardees Include:

  • Acknowledge support from the University Seminars Funding Program in the event’s description.
  • Post funded University Seminar events on the university calendar: https://calendar.gwu.edu/submit-event.
  • Send details and the university calendar link as far in advance as possible to [email protected].
  • Include “University Seminar” in the title of event
  • Promotional and communications questions can be directed to [email protected].

Extensions of Funding

Requests for a No-Cost Extension (NCE) must be submitted through InfoReady for consideration.

Contact

Please send questions to [email protected].

Important Documents - University Seminars