The Group Investigations Program provides funding for off-campus trips that support the learning objectives of a course or that provide a learning opportunity that enhances the undergraduate experience. There are two annual application cycles. Applications for a spring semester course/program (including summer trips) are due by the start of October in the prior semester. Applications for a fall semester course/program (including winter break) are due by the start of March in the prior semester. Funding is typically limited to $15,000 per grant. Higher budgets may be approved for international Group Investigations.
Upcoming Deadlines: March 3, 2025 and October 1, 2025
Faculty members planning international programs, even optional excursions, must work with the Office of Education Abroad to ensure that all Davidson-sponsored travel follows consistent policies for program development, student selection and preparation, and sound risk management for travel plans. Faculty members are required to schedule a meeting with Naomi Otterness, the Director of Education Abroad, to discuss their proposed student group travel plans at least two weeks before completing the Group Investigations application. For further information about general practices and expectations for taking students abroad, please also review the International Excursions Leader Agreement, as well as the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad.
All programs must operate in accordance with the College's expectations for responsible budgetary practices. Leaders receiving grants for group travel will sign an agreement collected by the Office of Sponsored Programs on behalf of the VPAA before funds will be distributed. Group leaders are also required to have a post-award meeting with the Assistant Director of Sponsored Programs and Post-Award Manager, to go over accessing the funds while traveling and creating expense reports in Oracle upon return.
The Dean Rusk International Research Collaborative will support international travel and expenses for a Davidson faculty member traveling with a small group of students for research, methodological training, or comparative creative arts experience. (Examples include faculty mentoring students on research skills in STEM, archives, interviews, oral histories, participant-observation, creative projects.) The successful proposal will emphasize the value of the given international location for the project and articulate what the students will gain by being in situ. Proposals should detail the involvement and/or mentoring of the faculty member, which is expected to be significant.
Faculty members are invited to submit proposals for projects that involve 1 faculty member and a minimum of 3 students to a maximum of 5 students. The projects must take place outside of the United States in their entirety. The minimum length of time is three weeks. Funding will be up to $30,000 per grant. If the proposal exceeds this amount, share evidence of cost-sharing (Internal or external) and status.
Please note: Faculty members who receive the International Research Collaborative Grant would not be considered for proposals for Dean Rusk or DRI for the same summer. Preference will be given to faculty who have not received funding for Dean Rusk, group investigations, or comparable group study experiences in recent years.
If you have questions, please email the Faculty Development Team at facultydevelopment@davidson.edu.
Upcoming deadline for summer 2026 travel: October 1, 2025.
Faculty members planning international programs must work with the Office of Education Abroad to ensure that all Davidson-sponsored travel follows consistent policies for program development, student selection and preparation, and sound risk management for travel plans. Faculty members are required to schedule a meeting with the Director of Education Abroad and Away (OEAA), to discuss their proposed student group travel plans at least two weeks before completing the International Research Collective application. Faculty must have a transparent process for student selection. The opportunity should not be advertised to students prior to grant approval by the Faculty Development Team.
For further information about general practices and expectations for taking students abroad, please also review the International Excursions Leader Agreement as well as the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad. Travel to countries with a Level 4 advisory from the US State Department is not permitted with Davidson College funding. Travel to countries with a Level 3 advisory will be considered on a case by case basis.
All programs must operate in accordance with the College’s expectations for responsible budgetary practices. Leaders receiving grants for group travel will sign an agreement collected by the Office of Sponsored Programs on behalf of the VPAA before funds will be distributed. Group leaders are also required to have a post-award meeting with the Dean Rusk Director and OSP to go over accessing the funds while traveling and creating expense reports in Oracle upon return.
Funds may be provided to assist with the publication of manuscripts that have received final acceptance for publication by a scholarly press or public dissemination of artistic work. A copy of the letter of agreement and any invoices must be submitted with the application. Fundable expenses include: cost of reprints of articles published in scholarly journals; per page journal fees (not covered by publisher or royalties); indexing; preparation of photos, line drawings, or other artistic assistance; expenses related to exhibitions in which their work will be shown. A funding ceiling for these grants will be established on an annual basis by the VPAA.
Note:
1. 1. All full-time faculty, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply.
2. These grants are independent of FS&R applications.
3. Decisions are made on a rolling basis.
4. Once awarded, send letter of agreement (contract) and receipts to Mel Zweifel, Grants Accounting Assistant of
Office of Sponsored Programs, for reimbursement.
Application Deadline: Rolling.
GUIDELINES
Faculty Study and Research (FS&R) grants support professional activities, including summer study, research and other scholarly and creative pursuits as well as provide support for student research assistants. FS&R grants are intended as incubators and as a pedagogical tool for early-career faculty as they develop their independent scholarship and learn grantsmanship skills. FS&R grants are also useful as a boost for mid-career faculty between the Associate and Full Professor ranks. The FS&R Committee thus prioritizes investing in junior faculty and making long-term investments in Davidson.
FS&R has one annual deadline: Next Deadline: February 1, 2026 for projects that occur anytime between the summer and the end of the following academic year (April). New FS&R funding cannot be considered until an existing project is complete and has been closed out, including returning any unspent funds.
FS&R cannot fund professional development (professional training or education in a specific field or discipline), or travel to professional meetings. FS&R funding also does not cover projects that arise outside of the strict application cycle of the FS&R granting process.
Unanticipated/Urgent Projects:
The College recognizes that projects may arise that are similar to FS&R projects but that could not have been anticipated at the time of the regular FS&R deadline. These may be projects with urgency regarding the availability of, or access to, data, performances, or events; or quick-response research on natural or anthropogenic disasters. To inquire about support for these unanticipated or urgent projects, please email facultydevelopment@davidson.edu.
Professional Development:
Distinct from the professional travel allowance for travel reimbursement to professional meetings, funding in this category is tied directly to professional training or education in a specific field or discipline. For example, a faculty member could propose to attend a workshop, seminar, or artistic event to generate new ideas for research or teaching or to further develop professional expertise. For inquiries related to professional development as described here, please email facultydevelopment@davidson.edu.
FS&R Funding level:
Maximum funding level for all faculty, including continuing visiting faculty, is $5,000.
FS&R Guidelines:
· A faculty member may submit a proposal that contains more than one project, but the rationale and justification for requesting funds for multiple projects must be clear.
· Research-based trips must be justified and clearly linked to a specific research project.
· Collaborative proposals are welcome. Each faculty member will, however, be required to submit a separate application. The project description can be jointly written, but individual group members must include a discussion of their specific contributions to the project.
· Post-Award – Faculty can request a post-award information session regarding hiring student assistants, approving student timesheets, hiring international students, project expenditures, financial reporting, and other post-award matters. Contact LuAnne Sledge in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
· FS&R final reports – Final expense reports are due within 30 days of completion of the project, and no later than the end of April.
Allowable funding categories:
· Student Assistant – The minimum wage for summer students conducting collaborative research with faculty on college funds is $15.00 per hour. This is considered taxable income and the students will have taxes deducted from their pay. Student research assistants hired during the academic year should be paid according to the Academic Year Student Pay Scale.
· Materials and Supplies – Expendable items necessary to carry out the work of the project including laboratory supplies, glassware, chemicals, and reagents. Equipment necessary for the project worth less than $5,000.
· Technology – Software, computing devices, compute fees, peripherals, etc. if not otherwise available through T&I.
· Clerical and translation services – Could include book indexing, transcriptions, and translations.
· Travel – Per diem (lodging, meals and incidentals) must be based on standard GSA government rates. Personal travel segments should be clearly identified on the application.
· Participant incentives – Payments to participants involved in human subjects’ research. See also the College’s Gift Card Policy.