The Institute for Advanced Study invites promising, interdisciplinary project ideas to join the IAS Incubator—a cohort of nascent initiatives supported by the IAS as they seek external funding.
We are particularly interested in ideas that align with IAS priorities and that will go on to become IAS-administered projects. If accepted into the IAS Incubator, we will work collaboratively to bring your project to a fundable stage of development. Our team can provide a range of assistance, including feedback on concept and budget development, and fundraising support.
Eligibility
- Faculty, instructors, staff from any University of Minnesota system campus
- Large and small-scale projects
- Projects at various stages of development intending to seek external funding
- Projects that have been challenging to implement within traditional departmental or collegiate structures
IAS Priorities
- Advocating for racial justice
- Strengthening community engagement
- Expanding international partnerships
- Creating pathways for institutional transformation
What kinds of projects has the IAS developed and administered?
Since its inception, the IAS has formally and informally developed many large and small grant-funded projects. These examples of past and current projects below demonstrate the scope of IAS experience in project development and administration.
- Initiatives growing out of Research and Creative Collaboratives
- Multi-campus projects
- Community-engaged projects
- Multi-year $3+ million initiatives
- Small ($10,000), short-term projects, such as those funded by the Minnesota Legacy program
What could the incubation process include?
- Brainstorming and clarifying project ideas, vision, and timelines
- Connecting with potential funders and navigating funding cycles
- Facilitating relationships (Internal and external) to advance projects
- Developing robust proposal narratives that align with potential funders
- Understanding budget needs and developing budgets and budget narratives
- Navigating SPA requirements, shepherding proposals from development to submission
What could IAS grant administration include?
- Joining a community of interdisciplinary scholars
- Assistance working with SPA
- Staff support for financial processes, such as paying honoraria and purchasing, financial reporting, and budget management for small projects
- Facilitate hiring and manage HR and payroll services
- Residential home for postdoc or other visiting scholars
Note: large and complicated projects should include funds for a project manager as well as communications and/or media staff. The need for such positions can be discerned during project and budget development.
Application Instructions
Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis and an IAS staff member will reach out in two to four weeks.
Applications are submitted through InfoReady Review. You will complete a short form (your name, email, and department or office affiliation) and upload a document that consists of the following elements:
- What is your project idea? (200 words max)
- Why do you want to work with the IAS? (150 words max)
- What is the timeline you envision to develop and implement the project? (150 words max)
- Who are the key collaborators, participants, and stakeholders at the University of Minnesota and beyond?
- How does your project engage communities beyond the university? (150 words max)
- What kinds of project and grant development support is needed? (150 words max)
- What short-term financial support is needed to develop the idea and how would it be used? (100 words max)
- Do you have funders in mind who might support this project? If so, please name them.
Note: The IAS has limited funds available for grant development activities. Once these funds are used, additional funding will not be available until the next fiscal year, but other grant development assistance may be available.