Faculty Grants

The Center for Religion, Law, and Democracy offers grants for faculty development in three categories: a Major Research Grant of $9,000; three Summer Research Grants of $3000; and two Curriculum Development Grants of $2000.  In addition, applicants for either of the faculty research grants may apply for an additional $1000 grant to be paid toward a student research assistant associated with the research project. 

1. Major Research Grant.

The Center will provide a $9000 stipend for a substantial research project in a subject related to the scholarly mission of the Center.  This grant is available to all Willamette University faculty. The goal of this grant is to provide support for a member of the faculty to complete a substantial scholarly research and writing project that will result in a scholarly presentation and publication in a scholarly journal or book.   

|Faculty Research Grant Application Form|

2. Summer Research Grant.

The Center will provide three $3000 stipends for summer research in a subject related to the scholarly mission of the Center.  These grants are available to all Willamette University faculty. The goal of these grants is to provide support to engage in new scholarly research leading toward a presentation and/or publication in a scholarly journal or book. 

|Faculty Summer Research Grant Application Form|

3. Curriculum Development Grants.

The Center will provide two grants for Willamette University faculty to develop new courses in fields related to religion, law, and democracy that will utilize an interdisciplinary exploration of these related topics.  The grants may also be used to significantly enhance already existing courses in ways that will integrate an interdisciplinary exploration of these related topics.  Two summer grants of $2000 each are available. 

|Curriculum Development Grant Application Form|

Proposal Format and Procedures

Please keep in mind that readers of your proposal may be from outside your discipline. Proposals will be reviewed by the Center’s Faculty Advisory Board and approved by the Directors Council of the Centers of Academic Excellence.

1. Faculty Research Grants -- Evaluation Criteria

• Degree to which proposal engages, in an interrelated way, themes of religion in the culture, in history, in government and/or law, or in public life.
• Originality of topic and likely contribution to the scholarly literature or discipline.
• Quality of the proposal with respect to planning and articulation of purpose.
• Contribution to Willamette University, the larger community, or public policy.
• Any outstanding offer of publication or presentation of proposal. For the Major Research Grant, applicants must demonstrate where the research will be published and how the award is going to be used to meet publishing goals.

Grantees will be expected to complete a grant application (Faculty Research Grant Application Form or Faculty Summer Research Grant Application Form) and project narrative, which will include:

• A description of how the project relates to the applicant’s ongoing research and scholarship, his/her teaching interests, and to the discipline.
• A description of the methodology or format of the project.
• Timetable for publication/presentation.
• Progress reports at regular intervals.
• A copy of the final monograph or project.
• A final report on the project.

Expected outcomes should include:

• Publication of research in a peer-reviewed/scholarly journal or as part of a book or scholarly report, and/or
• Presentation of project at a scholarly conference or its professional equivalent, and/or
• Presentation of research results to the Willamette University community, through lecture, workshop or other means.

NOTE:  Funds can be used to support research costs and/or as a stipend but are not intended to support conference travel.

2. Curriculum Development Grants -- Evaluation Criteria

• Degree to which proposed or revised course engages in an interrelated manner, themes of religion in the culture, in history, in government and/or law, or in public life.
• Anticipated readings, projects, and other evaluative criteria in course.
• Likely number of students enrolled.
• Connectivity/Integration with CLA departmental and university offerings.
• Whether the course will be team-taught or cross-listed between departments and/or colleges.

Grantees will be expected to complete a grant application (Curriculum Development Grant Application Form) and project narrative, which will include:

• A description of the course (topic and coverage) and expected pedagogy.
• A description of how the course will address, in an interrelated manner, themes of religion in the culture, in history, in government and/or law, or in public life.
• A description of how the course relates to the applicant’s teaching area(s), his/her research and scholarship, and to other courses offered in the university.

Expectations of Grantees

• Approval of the course proposal by the Department/College and the Curriculum Committee.
• Intention to offer the course twice within the next 5 years.

For information, contact Professor Steven K. Green, (Law), X6723 or Professor David Gutterman (Politics), X6716.

All proposals are due March 16, 2009
Proposals should be submitted to:
Center for Religion, Law & Democracy
Oregon Civic Justice Center
Willamette University
Salem, Oregon 97301