$3 Million Fund for Collaborative, International Research; First Grants to be Awarded February 1, 2006

Stanford, CA - The Office of the President and the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University announced on October 27, 2005, the establishment of the Presidential Fund for Innovation in International Studies (PFIIS). The $3 million fund was created to support formation of interdisciplinary teams of Stanford faculty dedicated to new research, thinking and teaching on critically important issues in international affairs. The Fund is the first program to be launched under the auspices of the Stanford International Initiative, which seeks to encourage collaborative approaches to the consideration of three overarching global challenges: pursuing international peace and security, improving governance at all levels of society, and advancing human well-being.

"Through four major new interdisciplinary initiatives - on environmental sustainability, international studies, human health, and education - we are transforming Stanford by building new and important cross-campus collaborations" said Stanford University President John Hennessy. "What better way to jumpstart the international effort", he stated, "than by supporting projects that transcend traditional academic boundaries by virtue of their scope and complexity."

The competition for funding is open to faculty from all seven of Stanford's schools, as well as to senior fellows associated with the University's research institutes, centers and the Hoover Institution.

"We have strongly encouraged all faculty to apply for funding," said Professor Coit D. Blacker, co-chair of the International Initiative and director of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, speaking to the Faculty Senate in October. "A creative, interdisciplinary approach offers great potential for helping to find innovative and workable solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time. "

The fund's sponsors expect to support three to four new projects in each of the next three years (2005 - 2008). Awards will range from one to three years in duration.

Proposals to secure support were directed to have an international focus, with priority in funding being accorded to those proposals emphasizing the three research themes of the International Initiative: peace and security, governance, and human wellbeing.

Projects were to be based on collaborative research and teaching, involving faculty from two or more disciplines and, when possible, from two or more schools. They were to give evidence of true interdisciplinary methodology in the design of research questions and in the proposed implementation and dissemination of research findings, which may include new curricular offerings at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.

Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis. Project awards may be of any amount, but will typically be in the range of $50-100,000 per year for a maximum of three years. The awards are not renewable.

Funds also may be allocated to support research and teaching of a more preliminary nature. Planning grants will be no more than one-year in duration (non-renewable), with awards of approximately $10-15,000.

The deadline for submitting proposals was December 31, 2005. Awards will be announced on or about February 1, 2006.

Additional information is available on the PFIIS website.