HFA Research Grants

HFA Research Grants support ongoing research projects and creative activities by HFA faculty. Funding may be for materials and expenses related to an upcoming or ongoing research project or a creative activity. For research or creative activity scheduled for 7/1/27 - 6/30/28

Awards may not exceed $3,000 and must be applied towards the advancement of a specific project. Funding cannot be used as compensation for faculty time.

Apply in UMass InfoReady by 1/15/2027

Eligibility

Full-time tenure- and non-tenure track faculty with continuous appointments in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts may apply.

Faculty currently serving on the HFA Research Council are not eligible to apply.

Deadlines

• 1/15/27 is the application deadline for to request funding for research or creative activity scheduled for 7/1/27 - 6/30/28.
• The deadline to expend funding is 6/30/28. Deadline extensions are not permitted.
• Post-award reports are due by 9/15/28. The report should summarize progress made on the grant-supported activity and its impact on the faculty member's larger research or creative efforts.

Application Procedure

To apply, please complete the application form by the deadline. The following documentation is required to apply:

• A one-page description of the research or creative activity.
• Image or visual file to illustrate the work to be undertaken (if applicable).
• List of confirmed and pending sources of funding and amounts.
• Please upload a PDF of a project budget naming your funding sources, the amounts you are receiving from each, and a detailed list of anticipated expenses. Clearly identify which line items will be supported by the HFA Research Grant.
• Applicants will be notified of a decision within one month after the application deadline.

Award Management

Approved funding is to be used to support the originally intended project. Grant repurposing to support another project is not permitted.

The department business manager, in collaboration with the award recipient, submits a Summit report to the HFA Business Office for reimbursement of expenses made on faculty member's retention account.

Recipients will be asked to submit a one-page post-grant report within one month of the research project or creative activity’s completion.

For more information, please contact: 

Amy Fleig, afleig [at] umass [dot] edu (afleig[at]umass[dot]edu), Director of Faculty Development and Programs

Pari Riahi, priahi [at] umass [dot] edu (priahi[at]umass[dot]edu), Associate Dean for Research and Engagement