Multidisciplinary Seed Grant Program

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences announces two new opportunities for its faculty to tackle complex topics by collaborating across disciplines in research and teaching and in the process engaging with students, scholars, stakeholders, and decision-makers. The development of this new program responds to the need for new paradigms that shape future research, life-long learning, public discourse, service and dynamic entrepreneurship. It also positions Franklin College to develop transcendent pathways at the forefront of research and instruction. The program is partitioned into two tracks: Rapid Interdisciplinary Proposals (RIP) and Innovation in Interdisciplinary Instruction (I-Cubed). Awards will be announced within 30 days of the proposal deadlines.

Funded projects must be processed through the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences REST team

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Track 1: Rapid Interdisciplinary Proposals (RIP) Program

The RIP program seeks to accelerate new or existing interdisciplinary projects within the College. It is designed to augment and complement existing institutional seed grant efforts and is intended to foster rapid idea generation, data collection, or team building. RIP grants should lead to pursuit of external research funding and/or other forms of external support or recognition within 6 months of funding.

Logistics For Track 1/RIP projects

RIP proposals require a FCAS-based Principal Investigator (PI) and at least two Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). Any faculty as well as post-doctoral scholars within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences can serve as PI. Any tenured, tenure-track, research, or research faculty as well as post-doctoral scholars at the University of Georgia can serve as co-PIs. Each of member of the proposing team must represent a distinct disciplinary unit. Demonstrated engagement of graduate students is also encouraged.

Expected deliverables for funded RIP projects include a 2-page report identifying key accomplishments, challenges, and opportunities; a 1-page highlight slide; and confirmation of intent for a next-phase grant submission or external recognition or support. These will be due in January 2026. 

Support for Track 1/RIP projects 

Project budgets are expected to range from $3,000 to $10,000 (These funds cannot be used for course buyouts). Up to $30,000 in funding will be available for RIP – Cycle 1 (Calendar Year 2025). Projects will be selected on the basis of compelling cross-disciplinary vision, potential impact, and likelihood of securing future funding. 

Applications for Track 1/RIP Program

To apply for the Rapid Interdisciplinary Proposals Program, please submit the following in a single PDF to Leslie Morrow (lmorrow@uga.edu) by 1 March 2025:  

• Cover letter with a 250-word popular summary of the project
• Documentation within 6 months projecting termination identifying relevant external grant programs or other external recognition or support opportunities. Such examples might include federal, private or foundation grants, residencies, prizes, sabbaticals, travel or research fellowships, monograms, or other scholarly pathways for advanced studies.
• 2-page narrative with a project description, elements of interdisciplinarity, innovative or novel aspects, why the RIP is essential for advancing the project, and specific work plans over the funding period that culminates in submission within 6 months of project termination
• 1-synthesis figure, graphic or table
• 1-page budget with justification
• 2-page CV for each PI and Co-PI (noting relevant qualifications, publications, and synergistic activities)

Unsuccessful Presidential Interdisciplinary Seed Grant Proposals that were submitted within the previous 12 months are eligible for submission. 

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Track 2: Innovation in Interdisciplinary Instruction (I-Cubed) Program. 

The I-Cubed Program seeks to enable faculty to collaborate on cross-disciplinary course development. Pairs of faculty members, representing two different disciplines per pair, will spend AY 2024-2025 developing two new courses or substantially revised courses, then teach them in AY 2025-2026. We particularly encourage collaborations that cross the five conventional divisions in the college (that is, arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, mathematical and physical sciences, and biological sciences). We also encourage consideration of honors course development, vertically integrated projects and research (VPR), and/or the development of a study abroad program course of study that features two courses taught by faculty from different divisions in Franklin College.

Logistics for Track 2/I-Cubed projects

Each faculty member participating in this program will develop one course with a prefix appropriate to their discipline and home department/s — but this course will include a significant component of interdisciplinary subject matter and expertise, designed in collaboration with their faculty partner. This course will also include two weeks of guest instruction, distributed throughout the semester, by this interdisciplinary partner. 

For example: a faculty member in Genetics paired with a faculty member in History would develop two new or revised courses: one HIST XXXX course with a significant Genetics component, including two weeks taught by the faculty member in Genetics; and one GENE XXXX course with a significant History component, including two weeks taught by the faculty member in History.  

Please note that participation in this program will not involve course buyouts or reduced teaching loads; interested faculty members should consult with their respective heads/directors to discuss how to take advantage of this program while meeting the instructional needs of their home units. Any new courses developed under the aegis of this program should be submitted for curriculum review in time to offer them in 2025-2026; both courses should be taught in that academic year.

Expected deliverables for funded TAP projects include completed syllabi for both courses (due at the end of AY25-26), a one-page report from each faculty member reflecting on the experiences in the course (due at the end of AY26-27), and a set of learning outcomes.

Support for Track 2/I-Cubed projects 

Faculty members selected for participation in this program will receive a support account of $1,000 to use in FY26. Faculty pairs will also be matched with an associate dean to serve as a sounding board and mentor during the course-development phase. The College will sponsor up to six pairs of faculty, who will be selected on the basis of compelling cross-disciplinary vision and anticipated outcomes. 

Applications for Track 2/I-Cubed Program

To apply for the Innovation in Interdisciplinary Instruction (I-Cubed) program, please submit the following in a single PDF to Leslie Morrow (lmorrow@uga.edu) by 1 March 2025:  

• Names, home departments, and contact information for both faculty members
• Statement of support from both respective department heads or institute directors, including information about how each unit will promote the courses or help ensure that they meet enrollment minimums
• Narrative of the cross-disciplinary rationale, the proposed courses, and the anticipated outcomes of bringing a cross-disciplinary perspective to each (< 500 words)