Proposed projects will seek to build or strengthen the infrastructure and capacity for exploring new research projects through establishing new structures, spaces or activities. These might include gatherings around a particular topic, thematic symposia or “elevator talks”, convenings of small groups of invited scholars or research clusters, open forums, discussion groups on social media, lectures, film screenings, workshops, etc.

Priority will be given to projects that cross traditional borders among disciplines, departments, divisions, campuses, countries, and/or institutions (e.g. academy/community), and we encourage collaborations that include both graduate students and faculty, and that include collaboration among faculty across ranks. The work supported by seed grants is expected to be open-ended, and no specific “deliverables” are required for these grants. However, proposals are expected to articulate how the activities will lead to the next steps for the development of the idea, project, or proposal, and what mechanisms will be included to ensure that this happens.

Eligibility:

• Individual or collaborative proposals welcome ($500 to $3,000 total).
• At least one member of the proposing collaboration must be a senate faculty member from a UCSC Social Sciences Division department or program. Lecturers and researchers are eligible to apply in collaboration with a Social Science senate faculty member. Graduate students within the Social Sciences Division are also encouraged to develop collaborations, but proposals must include a senate faculty member. Faculty affiliated with the Coastal Science and Policy program or the Global and Community Health program are also eligible to apply, but should specifically describe how their proposed research builds on and/or contributes to social science research.
• Applicants may apply to only one IST grant opportunity per year.

Allowable expenses include:

• Meals or refreshments
• Travel and lodging for the applicant or visitors
• Event/meeting space rental fees
• Media services or instructional support fees
• Hourly support for undergraduate assistants
• Support for graduate student assistants during non-academic terms
• Honoraria (for faculty outside of the UC system, community participants, or other non-UC collaborators)

Prohibited expenses include:

• Salary or payroll (other than student assistants)
• Alcohol
• Computers or other equipment
• Software

Submission Requirements for Seed Grants:

• Project abstract (750 character limit)
• Project narrative including activity description, participants, and frequency (3,000 character limit)
• Project justification – please articulate how the activities will lead to next steps for the development of the idea, project, or proposal  (1,000 character limit)
• Relevance to the goals and commitments of the institute (1,000 character limit)
• Budget (PDF)
• An abbreviated CV of all key personnel  (5 pages maximum) (PDF)

Selection Criteria for all Grant Categories:

• Relevance to the core goals and commitments of the institute (includes incubating new ideas and accelerating pathbreaking scholarship in the public interest)
• Strength of rationale
• Clarity of proposed activities
• Appropriateness of project scope and scale
• Adequacy of the budget
• We encourage applications from everyone (we want to hear about your work!) but some priority will be given to faculty who have not received a seed grant in the past two years.

Reporting Requirements (due within 30 days of the project end-date):

• PI’s will be required to complete a post-award survey that describes the outcomes of the project, including any deviations from the proposed project, and proposed next steps.
• A budget report describing all expenditures.

Application process:

• To submit a proposal for the seed grant program, please complete the application by January 31, 2025.
• Proposals will be reviewed by the members of the Institute’s Executive Board.

Proposed sprout grant projects will endeavor to make significant progress on one or multiple crucial aspects of promising research related to the goals of the Institute for Social Transformation. Priority will be given to projects that cross traditional borders among disciplines, departments, divisions, campuses, countries, and/or institutions (e.g. academy/community). We encourage collaborations that include both graduate students and faculty, and that include collaboration among faculty across ranks. Projects might include the development of proposals for external funding, completion of literature reviews, creation of data sets, completion of data analysis, or pilot research projects.

Sprout awards recipients are expected to complete the proposed work within one year.

Eligibility:

• Individual or collaborative proposals welcome ($2,500 to $18,500 total).
• At least one member of the proposing collaboration must be a senate faculty member from a UCSC Social Sciences Division department or program. Lecturers and researchers are eligible to apply in collaboration with a Social Science senate faculty member. Faculty affiliated with the Coastal Science and Policy program or the Global and Community Health program are also eligible to apply, but should specifically describe how their proposed research builds on and/or contributes to social science research.
• Applicants may apply to only one IST grant opportunity per year.
• Existing research project with a plan to move forward, such as applying for external funding.

Allowable expenses include:

• Summer GSR salary and benefits or support for graduate student assistants during non-academic terms (i.e. winter and spring break)
• Software and software licenses (strong justification must be provided regarding the need for these to complete the proposed project)
• Travel expenses for faculty and students
• Travel and lodging expenses of Visiting Scholars associated and/or linked to project
• Data access fees
• Media services or instructional support fees
• Course release (in special circumstances where time release is needed to conduct research, not intended for proposal writing)

*Please note that support for undergraduate assistants will not be funded via the Sprout Grant, however funding might be available through the institute’s Building Belonging Program.

Prohibited expenses include:

• Salary or payroll, including summer salary (other than student assistants)
• Graduate student assistants during academic quarters
• Alcohol
• Computers or other equipment

Submission Requirements for Sprout Grants:

• Project abstract (750 character limit)
• Project narrative including: project rationale, project description, significance and impact (5,000 character limit)
• Project justification – please articulate how the activities will lead to next steps for the development of the project or proposal and the expected deliverables or outcomes. Tell us what will be sprouted by this funding. Sprout grants are intended to advance promising research projects by supporting pilot or initial data collection, and/or pursuit of external funds. Grants in this category aim to provide scholars with financial support to intensify existing efforts to move a promising project or research plan forward, including identifying and applying for additional external funding. Please name the funding opportunity if known. (2,000 character limit)
• Relevance to the goals of the institute (1,000 character limit)
• Budget (PDF)
• Brief description of project personnel and collaboration plan
• Abbreviated CV of all key personnel  (5 pages maximum each) (PDF)

Selection Criteria for all Grant Categories:

• Relevance to the core goals and commitments of the institute (includes incubating new ideas and accelerating pathbreaking scholarship in the public interest)
• Plan for moving the research project forward, including identifying and applying for additional external funding
• Strength of rationale
• Clarity of proposed activities
• Appropriateness of project scope and scale
• Adequacy of the budget
• We encourage applications from everyone (we want to hear about your work!) but some priority will be given to faculty who have not received a sprout grant in the past two years.

Reporting Requirements (due within 30 days of the project end-date):

• In addition to any promised deliverables, PI’s will be required to complete a post-award survey that describes the outcomes of the project, including deviations from the proposed project, and proposed next steps.
• Brief presentation or workshop, depending on the scope of the award.

Application process:

• To submit a proposal for the sprout grant program, please complete the application by January 31, 2025.
• If the course release is included in the proposed budget, please provide a copy of the email approval from the Department Chair.
• Proposals will be reviewed by the members of the Institute’s Executive Board.

To boost visibility, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance outreach to the Santa Cruz community, the institute supports scholars with publicizing completed research and connecting with relevant stakeholders. Proposed activities could include funding for a faculty member’s book launch event, working with the institute to develop a website or StoryMap associated with a significant publication, travel for the scholar to showcase their research or launch a collaboration, or a forum for policy-makers and practitioners related to newly-completed research. Proposed projects must contribute broadly to the goals and commitments of the institute.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must be a senate faculty member from a UCSC Social Sciences Division department or program. Faculty affiliated with the Coastal Science and Policy program or the Global and Community Health program are also eligible to apply, but should specifically describe how their proposed research builds on and/or contributes to social science research.
• Applicants may apply to only one IST grant opportunity per year.

Allowable expenses include:

• Books or offprints for distribution to a targeted audience of relevant scholars and/or stakeholders
• Meals or refreshments
• Travel and lodging
• Event/meeting space rental fees
• Media services or instructional support fees
• Hourly support for student assistants
• Honoraria (for faculty outside of the UC system, community participants, or other non-UC collaborators)
• Supplies that are integral to the event

Prohibited expenses include:

• Salary or payroll (other than student assistants)
• Alcohol
• Computers 
• Software

Submission Requirements for Harvest Grants:

• Project abstract (750 character limit)
• Project narrative including project rationale, project description, significance and impact (3,000 character limit)
• Relevance to the goals of the Institute for Social Transformation (1,000 character limit)
• Budget (PDF)
• An abbreviated CV of all key personnel  (5 pages maximum each) (PDF)

Selection Criteria for all Grant Categories:

• Relevance to the core goals and commitments of the institute (includes incubating new ideas and accelerating pathbreaking scholarship in the public interest)
• Strength of rationale
• Clarity of proposed activities
• Appropriateness of project scope and scale
• Adequacy of the budget
• We encourage applications from everyone (we want to hear about your work!) but some priority will be given to faculty who have not received a harvest grant in the past two years.

Reporting Requirements (due within 30 days of the project end-date):

• In addition to any promised deliverables, PI’s will be required to complete a post-award survey that describes the outcomes of the project, including deviations from the proposed project, and proposed next steps.
• Brief presentation or workshop, depending on the scope of the award.

Application process:

• To submit a proposal for the harvest grant program, please complete the application by January 31, 2025.
• Proposals will be reviewed by members of the Institute’s Executive Board.