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

  • 1/15/25 is the application deadline for research or creative activity scheduled for 7/1/25-6/30/26.
  • The deadline to expend funding is 6/30/26.  Deadline extensions are not permitted.
  • Post-award reports will be due by 9/15/26. 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

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.
  • 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.

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)