Grants

Grants 

Humanities Center Public Programming Grants bring prominent authors and scholars to the UAH campus to discuss humanities-related topics, increase the visibility of the humanities in the Huntsville community, and highlight the value of the humanities to matters of public interest.

Our Faculty Research Grants, Book Manuscript Grants, and Grant Matching Funds support the professional development and scholarly productivity of our humanities faculty. Our Library Enhancement Grants also enhance the diversity and depth of instructional programming at UAH and enhance the research capacities of our students and faculty.

 Public Programming Grants

The Humanities Center, through funding provided by the Humanities Center Endowment, offers Public Programming Grants on a rolling basis. The purpose of these grants is to fund programs that enrich the intellectual and professional lives of UAH faculty and students as well as the Huntsville community.

Programs funded with Public Programming Grants typically involve bringing prominent scholars and authors to the UAH campus to discuss humanities-related topics that are of interest to faculty, students, and the Huntsville community. Eligible programming includes thematic conferences, demonstrations, forums, lectures, symposia, and workshops.

Guidelines for Submitting a Public Programming Grant Proposal

1. Any tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH is eligible to submit a proposal.
   • Students, staff, and other faculty at UAH may collaborate with an eligible UAH faculty member to develop a proposal.
   • Community members and others interested in promoting the humanities may collaborate with an eligible UAH faculty member to develop a proposal.
2. Proposed programming must relate to the humanities, as defined by 20 U.S. Code § 952(a):
   • 20 U.S. Code § 952(a): "The term “humanities” includes, but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism, and theory of the arts; those aspects of the social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life."
   • The National Endowment for the Humanities, which is the funding source for the M. Louis Salmon Humanities Center Endowment, endorses this definition.
3. Proposals should include a narrative for the nature of the programming.
   • The narrative should explain what is to be done, by whom, where, and when. All programming should be free and open to the public.
   • If the proposed programming does not plainly belong to one of the categories in the definition of "humanities" from 20 U.S. Code § 952(a), the narrative should explain how the proposed programming relates to the humanities.
   • The narrative should identify when the funds are needed. If funds are needed before the programming occurs, the narrative should explain why.
   • The narrative should mention whether the applicant is also requesting funds from other organizations.
4. Proposals should include a narrative for the goals of the programming.
   • The narrative should explain how the programming is expected to enrich the intellectual and professional lives of UAH faculty and students as well as the Huntsville community.
5. Proposals should include a current C.V. or resume for any invited person.
6. There is no minimum or maximum award limit though proposed grants are typically around $3,000.
   • Grants are awarded at the discretion of the Director of the Humanities Center, on the basis of funding availability, number of requests received, and merits of the proposed programming.
7. Proposals should include a detailed budget, along with an explanation or justification of each budget item. Appropriate budget items include honoraria, travel expenses, advertising.
8. Each proposal should include the following information:
   • Name, rank, home department, and email address of the applicant
   • Title, theme, or topic for the proposed programming
   • Total amount of funding requested
   • A narrative that explains the nature of the proposed programming.
   • A narrative that explains how the proposed programming is expected to enrich the intellectual and professional lives of UAH faculty and students as well as the Huntsville community.
   • Current C.V.s or resumes for any invited person.
   • A detailed budget, including an explanation or justification of each item.
9. Each proposal should be submitted by email, as a single file in DOC or DOCX format, to humanitiescenter@uah.edu, preferably with the subject line "Public Programming Grant Proposal".
10. Members of the Humanities Center Steering Committee, and the Director of the Humanities Center, are good sources of advice about Humanities Center Public Programming Grants.
11. Direct questions about Humanities Center Public Programming Grants to humanitiescenter@uah.edu

Evaluating Public Programming Grant Proposals

The Director of the Humanities Center evaluates each proposal for its relevance to scholarship and research in the humanities at UAH, its merit, and its overall cost. More specific evaluation criteria for determining whether a proposal is eligible for funding include:

• Is the applicant a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH?
• Does the proposed programming relate to the humanities?
• If funded, would the programming likely enrich the intellectual and professional lives of UAH faculty and students as well as the Huntsville community?
• Are the proposed costs and expenditures appropriate?
• Is the application complete?
• Is there funding that remains available for the current fiscal year?

Specific evaluation criteria for determining whether a proposal is meritorious include:

• To what extent is the proposed programming likely to enrich the intellectual and professional lives of UAH faculty and students as well as the Huntsville community?
• Does the proposal make extraordinary effort to engage with members of the Huntsville community.
• Is the proposed programming multi-disciplinary?
• Is the proposed programming organized around a coherent theme or topic?
• Does the proposed programming include multiple events or multiple speakers?
• Is the programming part of an ongoing or planned series of programs or events?
• What are the qualifications of persons invited for the proposed programming?
• Is the explanation or justification of the proposed costs and expenditures reasonable?

Applicants can expect a verdict 2-4 weeks after submitting their application (if not sooner). Applicants who do not receive notice of a verdict in a timely fashion should contact the Director of the Humanities Center to confirm the status of their application.

Dispersal of Public Programming Grants

Awards are dispersed in accordance with UAH policies and depending on the type of project.

The policy of the Humanities Center is to prefer reimbursing the home labor account of the grantee’s department for the exact amount of expenses, using a Transfer Authorization form.

Faculty Research Grants

The Humanities Center, through funding provided by the Humanities Center Endowment, offers annual research grants for humanities-related projects. The purpose of these grants is to contribute to the professional development of faculty members and enhance their scholarly productivity.

Guidelines for Submitting a Faculty Research Grant Proposal

1. Any tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH is eligible to submit a proposal.
2. Only proposals received during the open application window are eligible for funding.
3. Proposed research must relate to the humanities, as defined by 20 U.S. Code § 952(a):
   • 20 U.S. Code § 952(a): "The term “humanities” includes, but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism, and theory of the arts; those aspects of the social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life."
   • The National Endowment for the Humanities, which is the funding source for the M. Louis Salmon Humanities Center Endowment, endorses this definition.
4. Proposals should include a clear and complete narrative of the proposed research.
   • The narrative should explain what is to be done, why, and how.
   • The language in the narrative should be simple, free from technical terminology, and intelligible to people from a variety of academic disciplines.
5. Proposed research should have a clear timeline for completion.
   • Funded proposals typically have a completion date that is less than 12 months from the beginning date.
6. Proposed research should enhance the professional development or scholarly productivity of the applicant.
   • Research that involves travel to major libraries or collections of materials is eligible for funding. (Example: Travel to the Folger Shakespeare Library to examine Renaissance treatises on warfare and honor, by a faculty member who is studying responses to warfare in Renaissance literature.)
   • Research for the local environment is eligible for funding. (Example: Developing an oral history of stories and members of people from northern Alabama, to better understand experiences of segregation, prison labor camps, and the debt peonage of the share-cropping system.)
   • Research that is part of a sponsored project already in progress is not eligible for funding. (This is consistent with applicants making simultaneous applications for support from other funding agencies.)
   • Research intended to support work that is part of a scheduled course is not eligible for funding.
   • Research needed to satisfy the requirements for a degree is not eligible for funding.
   • Research that facilitates external funding opportunities in areas relating to the humanities will receive special consideration.
7. Proposals should include a current C.V. for the applicant.
8. The maximum grant award is $3,200. Lesser amounts are also eligible for funding.
9. Proposals should include a detailed budget, along with an explanation or justification of each budget item. Appropriate budget items are:
   • Salaries and wages. (Funds may support salaries and wages for individuals such as typists or research assistants if their work is important to completing the research.)
   • Operating expenses. Examples include office supplies, printing or copying costs.
   • Travel, as justified in the narrative.
   • Research materials, provided they are critical for the research. Examples include books, periodicals, microfilms. Duplications of material available from the Salmon Library is not appropriate. Materials available for purchase through procedures for which library funds exist or through inter-library loan are not appropriate. All purchased materials are ordered through the Salmon Library, loaned to the grantee until the authorized closing date for the research project, and become part of the Library’s collection at the completion of the project.
10. Each proposal should include the following information:
    • Name, rank, home department, and email address of the applicant
    • Title for the research project
    • Total amount of funding requested
    • If the proposed research does not plainly belong to one of the categories in the definition of "humanities" from 20 U.S. Code § 952(a): a brief explanation of how the proposed research relates to the humanities.
    • A narrative that explains, in plain language, the proposed research, including a statement of when funds will be needed and an expected date of completion for the research.
    • A brief explanation of how the research will enhance the professional development or scholarly productivity of the applicant.
    • A current C.V. for the applicant.
    • A detailed budget, including an explanation or justification of each item.
11. Each proposal should be submitted by email to humanitiescenter@uah.edu, preferably with the subject line "Faculty Research Grant Proposal".
12. Members of the Humanities Center Steering Committee, and the Director of the Humanities Center, are good sources of advice about Humanities Center Faculty Research Grants.
13. Direct questions about Humanities Center Faculty Research Grants to humanitiescenter@uah.edu

Evaluating Faculty Research Grant Proposals

Members of the Humanities Center Steering Committee evaluate each proposal for its relevance to scholarship and research in the humanities at UAH, its merit, and its overall cost. More specific evaluation criteria for determining whether a proposal is eligible for funding include:

• Is the applicant a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH?
• Was the proposal received during the open application window?
• Does the proposed research relate to the humanities?
• If funded, would the research likely enhance the applicant’s professional development or scholarly activity?
• Are the proposed costs and expenditures appropriate?
• Is the application complete?

Specific evaluation criteria for determining whether a proposal is meritorious include:

• To what extent does the proposed research advance scholarship and research in the humanities at UAH?
• Does the research narrative demonstrate the use of unique or innovative methods, approaches, or concepts?
• Does the applicant have capabilities, related experiences, and/or techniques that make the completion of the proposed research likely?
• Does the proposed research have potential for supporting the development of more detailed research proposals for external funding?
• If the applicant has received a Faculty Research grant from the Humanities Center: What are the outcomes of prior research supported by funding from the Humanities Center, and to what extent do those outcomes enhance professional development or scholarly activity?
• Is the explanation or justification of the proposed costs and expenditures reasonable?

Members of the Steering Committee will review all proposals for eligibility and merit. The Director of the Humanities Center will rely upon the Steering Committee’s recommendations to determine which proposals are funded, and thereafter notify all applicants about whether their proposal is funded.

Applicants can expect a verdict on their applications 4-6 weeks after the application window closes (if not sooner). Applicants who do not receive notice of a verdict in a timely fashion should contact the Director of the Humanities Center to confirm the status of their application.

Receiving and Using Faculty Research Grants

All grantees will receive information about establishing a grant account.

All grantees are expected to agree to and comply with the following conditions:

1. Any change in the scope or direction of the funded research must be approved in advance by the Director of the Humanities Center.
2. All funds must be expended in accordance with relevant UAH policies.
3. Any overruns on a grantee’s grant account are the responsibility of the grantee.
4. After the authorized closing date for the research project, the grantee will provide to the Humanities Center a summary report describing work attempted and accomplished.
5. Any publication resulting from grant-supported research must include the following written acknowledgement: “Research for this project was supported by the UAH Humanities Center”.
6. A copy of any publication resulting from grant-supported research will be sent to the Humanities Center.

Unused funds are not returned but, instead, roll over from year to year until the contract is closed.

• If funding is not used, there is a default automatic extension of the contract date for one year, with no paperwork required.
• Unused funds must be used for the purpose of the originally funded proposal.
• Grantees who want to use their funding for a different purpose should apply for a different grant.
• Grant accounts are not closed without first notifying the grant recipient.
• A request to close an account for unused funds will be sent to grantees who cannot use funds for their original purpose and apply for a different grant. The request will be sent upon receipt of the new application.

Faculty Grant Matching Funds

The Humanities Center offers matching funds to support projects that are funded by external agencies. These awards are granted on a rolling basis, subject to funding availability.

Guidelines for Submitting a Request for Matching Funds

1. Any tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH is eligible to submit a request.
   • Students, staff, and other faculty at UAH may collaborate with an eligible UAH faculty member to develop a request.
   • Community members and others interested in promoting the humanities may collaborate with an eligible UAH faculty member to develop a request.
2. Projects must relate to the humanities, as defined by 20 U.S. Code § 952(a):
   • 20 U.S. Code § 952(a): "The term “humanities” includes, but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism, and theory of the arts; those aspects of the social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life."
   • The National Endowment for the Humanities endorses this definition.
3. Requests should include a narrative for the nature of the funded project.
   • If the project does not plainly belong to one of the categories in the definition of "humanities" from 20 U.S. Code § 952(a), the narrative should explain how the project relates to the humanities.
   • The narrative should identify when the funds are needed.
   • The narrative should mention the other agencies from which funding will be requested.
4. Requests should include a narrative for the goals of the project.
   • The narrative should explain how the project is expected to enrich the intellectual and professional lives of UAH faculty and students as well as the Huntsville community.
5. The maximum award limit for matching funds is $3,000.
   • Matching funds are awarded at the discretion of the Director of the Humanities Center, on the basis of funding availability, number of requests received, and merits of the project for promoting the goals of the Humanities Center.
6. Requests should include a detailed budget, along with an explanation or justification of each budget item.
7. Each request should include the following information:
   • Name, rank, home department, and email address of the applicant
   • Title, theme, or topic for the project
   • Total amount of matching funds requested
   • A narrative that explains the nature of the project.
   • A narrative that explains how the project is expected to enrich the intellectual and professional lives of UAH faculty and students as well as the Huntsville community.
   • A detailed budget, including an explanation or justification of each item.
8. Each request should be submitted by email, as a single file in DOC or DOCX format, to humanitiescenter@uah.edu, preferably with the subject line "Matching Funds Request".
9. Members of the Humanities Center Steering Committee, and the Director of the Humanities Center, are good sources of advice about Humanities Center Matching Funds.
10. Direct questions about Humanities Center Matching Funds to humanitiescenter@uah.edu

Book Manuscript Grants

Guidelines for Submitting a Manuscript Workshop Grant Proposal

1. Any tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH in a humanities or humanities-adjacent discipline is eligible to submit a proposal.
2. Only proposals received during the open application window are eligible for funding.
3. The topic of the applicant’s book manuscript must pertain to the humanities, as defined by 20 U.S. Code § 952(a).
4. The applicant’s book manuscript must be a monograph (co-authorship is permissible) rather than an anthology or edited volume, and it must be suitable for submission to an academic press.
5. Proposals should include a prospectus. The prospectus should include a 500-word description of the book project, a description of the book’s audience, and a description of the book’s relation to existing literature.
6. Proposals should include a table of contents. The table of contents should include either a paragraph-length description or a detailed outline for each chapter.
7. Proposals should include 1-2 sample chapters. At least one chapter should be for the body of the book (so not a preface, introduction, or conclusion).
8. Proposals should include the applicant’s current academic CV.
9. Proposals should include a list of 4-6 subject matter experts who are qualified to offer intellectual guidance on the book proposal’s content as well as professional guidance on potential venues for publication and potential readers for presses. The list should include contact information for each expert.
10. Proposals may include supporting documentation such as evidence of prior contact with academic presses, a timeline for manuscript completion, and/or a description of qualifications for subject matter experts.
11. Proposals should be submitted by email to humanitiescenter@uah.edu, preferably with the subject line “Manuscript Workshop Grant Proposal”, and preferably in PDF format.
12. Direct questions about Humanities Center Manuscript Workshop Grants to humanitiescenter@uah.edu

Evaluating Manuscript Workshop Grant Proposals

Members of the Humanities Center Steering Committee evaluate each proposal for its eligibility and merit. More specific criteria for determining whether a proposal is eligible for funding include:

• Is the applicant a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH?
• Was the proposal received during the open application window?
• Does the manuscript topic pertain to the humanities?
• Is the application complete?

Specific evaluation criteria for determining whether a proposal is meritorious include:

• Is the timeline for completion of the manuscript reasonable?
• What is the level of detail for the table of contents?
• What are the qualifications of the proposed subject matter experts?
• Has the applicant been in contact with academic presses regarding this manuscript?
• What is the applicant’s rank, and how long have they been at that rank?

Members of the Steering Committee will provide evaluative feedback to the Director of the Humanities Center. The Director will rely upon this feedback to determine which proposals are to be funded, and thereafter notify all applicants about whether their proposal is funded.

Applicants can expect a verdict on their applications 2-4 weeks after the application window closes (if not sooner). Applicants who do not receive notice of such a verdict in a timely fashion should contact the Director of the Humanities Center to confirm the status of their application.

Conditions on Manuscript Workshop Grants

1. Awardees must agree to help with scheduling a virtual workshop with subject matter experts during the subsequent Spring semester.
2. Awardees receive a summer salary stipend (around $7,000 plus fringes) only after participating in the virtual workshop. (Each subject matter expert receives $1,000.)
3. Awardees must agree to submit their proposal to at least one academic press within one year of the workshop.
4. Awardees must agree to notify the Humanities Center if/when they secure a contract for their manuscript.
5. Awardees must agree to acknowledge the Humanities Center for support, in their manuscript, if/when the manuscript is published.

Library Enhancement Grants

Guidelines for Submitting a Library Enhancement Grant Proposal

1. Any full-time faculty member at UAH is eligible to submit a proposal.
   • Students, staff, and other faculty at UAH may collaborate with an eligible UAH faculty member to develop a proposal.
   • Community members and others interested in promoting the humanities may collaborate with an eligible UAH faculty member to develop a proposal.
2. Only proposals received during the open application window are eligible for funding.
3. Materials proposed for purchase must relate to the humanities, as defined by 20 U.S. Code § 952(a):
   • 20 U.S. Code § 952(a): "The term “humanities” includes, but is not limited to, the study and interpretation of the following: language, both modern and classical; linguistics; literature; history; jurisprudence; philosophy; archeology; comparative religion; ethics; the history, criticism, and theory of the arts; those aspects of the social sciences which have humanistic content and employ humanistic methods; and the study and application of the humanities to the human environment with particular attention to reflecting our diverse heritage, traditions, and history and to the relevance of the humanities to the current conditions of national life."
   • The National Endowment for the Humanities, which is the funding source for the M. Louis Salmon Humanities Center Endowment, endorses this definition.
4. Materials proposed for purchase should form a coherent theme.
   • The theme might relate to a recurring course or set of courses, a subject area within an academic discipline, a series of monographs, a designated collection, or a particular topic that spans disciplinary boundaries.
   • Themes that appear in the original proposal for the M. Louis Salmon Humanities Center Endowment are especially encouraged: Southern regional history; humanistic perspectives on technology and space exploration; women's history and literature; non-western culture; the cultural impact of the space program.
5. Materials proposed for purchase should meaningfully enhance the collections of the Salmon Library.
   • Primary sources are preferable to secondary sources.
   • Titles that already belong to the Salmon Library's holdings will not be approved for purchase.
   • Current serials or periodicals will not be approved for purchase.
   • The policy of the Salmon Library recommends the purchase of hardbacks for print materials.
   • Applicants might consider consulting with a library subject specialist to refine their proposal.
6. Each proposal should include the following information:
   • Name, rank, home department, and email address of the applicant
   • Title / theme for the proposal ("Materials for _______")
   • Total number of items proposed for purchase
   • Total amount of funding requested
   • A brief explanation of the theme for the proposal
   • A brief description of the criteria or methodology used to choose the materials proposed for purchase
   • If the materials proposed for purchase do not plainly belong to one of the categories in the definition of "humanities" from 20 U.S. Code § 952(a): a brief explanation of how the materials proposed for purchase relate to the humanities.
   • A brief explanation of how purchase of the proposed materials will meaningfully enhance the collections of the Salmon Library, with attention to the designated purposes of the M. Louis Salmon Humanities Center Endowment, and with attention to how the materials will supplement or expand the Salmon Library's current holdings
   • A statement declaring that the applicant has taken reasonable measures to verify that the Salmon Library does not own any of the titles proposed for purchase (including titles in different formats, such as e-book or paperback)
   • A spreadsheet of the materials proposed for purchase. Each item in the spreadsheet should contain bibliographic information, estimated purchase price, and an ISBN when available. (booksprint.com is a reliable site for identifying ISBNs.) If an ISBN is unavailable, the item should provide a catalogue page (or entire catalogue), pamphlet from the publisher, or any material that a library subject specialist might use to purchase the requested material.
7. Each proposal should be submitted by email to humanitiescenter@uah.edu, preferably with the subject line "Library Enhancement Grant Proposal".
8. Members of the Humanities Center Steering Committee, and the Director of the Humanities Center, are good sources of advice about Humanities Center Library Enhancement Grants.
9. Direct questions about Humanities Center Library Enhancement Grants to humanitiescenter@uah.edu

Evaluating Library Enhancement Grant Proposals

Members of the Humanities Center Steering Committee evaluate each proposal using the following criteria:

• Is the applicant a tenured or tenure-track faculty member at UAH?
• Was the proposal received during the open application window?
• Do the materials proposed for purchase relate to the humanities?
• Do the materials proposed for purchase form a coherent theme?
• If purchased, would the materials enhance the diversity and depth of instructional programming at UAH, support the professional development of UAH faculty, enhance the research capacities of students at UAH, and/or improve community access to materials that do not likely belong to the collections at public libraries?
• If purchased, would the materials supplement or expand the Salmon Library's current holdings?
• Is there adequate bibliographic and purchasing information for the materials proposed for purchase?

If the total funding requested, across all proposals satisfying the preceding criteria, exceeds the annual available budget provided by the M. Louis Salmon Humanities Center Endowment, members of the Steering Committee will rank proposals for quality and expected benefit to the humanities at UAH. Members might also contact applicants about revising or shortening the list of materials proposed for purchase.

Applicants can expect a verdict on their applications 4-6 weeks after the application window closes. Applicants who do not receive notice of a verdict in a timely fashion should contact the Director of the Humanities Center to confirm the status of their application.

Salmon Library Policy for Purchasing Materials 

The library uses the ISBN that is on the request slip to determine what format (hardback, paperback or e-book) is being ordered for a title. Though current library policy recommends the purchase of the hardback format for print items, the library will order the paperback format of a title if that is preferred:

• If the request form has a hardcover ISBN then we will order the hardcover if available.
• If the request form has a paperback ISBN then we will order the paperback if available.
• If the request form has an e-book ISBN then we will order the e-book if available.
• If the requesting faculty member doesn't have the ISBN for the e-book, then he/she should put the print ISBN on the slip and note on the request that an e-book is preferred if available. Please note that e-books come with varied pricing options, therefore the ultimate cost for an e-book may prevent ordering in that format.

An important point to take into consideration is that the library's ordering procedures could affect the cost of materials since changing the format of a book can change the price to more than what has been approved.