The Institute for Social Science Research Scholars Program supports social science faculty from across the university to build new directions in their research programs.
ISSR Scholars engage in a regular year-long seminar facilitated by experienced research grant recipients, and receive grant preparation support from ISSR's Research Methodology and Grants Support professionals. Scholars benefit from ongoing workshopping of research proposals, advice on grant writing and submission, information about granting agencies, and funding to consult with nationally recognized scholars of their choosing.
ISSR Scholars have emerged from all of the UMass Colleges. Since 2012, ISSR Scholars have earned over $38 million in external grant funding as PIs and co-PIs. 83% of Scholars have received external funding to support their research, and their funding success rate is double that of NSF Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences grantseekers.
The grant support that ISSR offers is second-to-none in helping connect faculty with opportunities and helping them see through projects to submission. Without them, I and many of my colleagues would not have a sponsored research agenda to speak of.
Meet our scholars
Eligibility
- All ranks of faculty that conduct social science research across the university.
- In order to participate fully in the Scholars Program and to encourage concerted effort on grant preparation, selected faculty must secure one course release for the academic year. Upon application, each candidate must have a letter from their home department or college/school confirming that a release is available. ISSR will contribute $3500 toward the cost of the course release and each unit may decide how the remainder of the course release will be funded.
Deadlines and Questions
Application tips:
Summary from the December 2023 ISSR & CRF Scholars Info-session (PowerPoint)
If you have questions about the ISSR Scholars Program please email Jason Kamilar.
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