Research Grants

HFA Research Grants support ongoing research projects and creative activities.  Funding may be for materials and expenses related to an upcoming or ongoing research project or a creative activity.

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.

Eligibility

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

Deadlines

  • 1/15/26 is the application deadline for research or creative activity scheduled for 7/1/26-6/30/27.
  • The deadline to expend funding is 6/30/27.  Deadline extensions are not permitted.
  • Post-award reports will be due by 9/15/27. The report will summarize progress made on the grant-supported activity and its impact on the faculty member's larger research or creative efforts. 

Application Procedure

The application form will be published here on 8/26/25.  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.
  • List of confirmed and pending sources of funding and amounts.
  • Please upload 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 are typically notified of a decision within one month after the application deadline.

Award Management

  • 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.
  • Approved funding is to be used to support the originally intended project.  Grant repurposing is not permitted.
  • Post-award reports will be solicited by email and due by 9/15/27. The report will summarize progress made on the grant-supported activity and its impact on the faculty member's larger research or creative efforts. 

Who to Contact

For more information, please contact:

  • Amy Fleig, afleig [at] umass [dot] edu (afleig[at]umass[dot]edu)
  • Pari Riahi, priahi [at] umass [dot] edu (priahi[at]umass[dot]edu)

Complete your application

For more information, please contact: 

Amy Fleig, afleig [at] umass [dot] edu (afleig[at]umass[dot]edu) 

Pari Riahi, priahi [at] umass [dot] edu (priahi[at]umass[dot]edu)