IAS Incubator Inquiries

The Institute for Advanced Study invites promising, collaborative, 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, assembled by interdisciplinary teams, that will go on to become IAS-administered projects. If your team’s project is a good match with the IAS Incubator, we will work together to bring it to a fundable stage of development. The IAS can provide a range of assistance, including help with concept and budget development, grant seeking, and other fundraising support.

Eligibility

  • Faculty, instructors, and/or staff from any University of Minnesota campus; projects can involve external partners
  • Preference given to projects, large or small, involving multiple collaborators
  • Large and small-scale projects
  • Projects at various stages of development intending to seek external funding
  • Multidisciplinary 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.

 

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.

 

Inquiry Instructions

Inquiries are accepted year-round on a rolling basis and an IAS staff member will reach out in two to four weeks. 

Please submit inquiries via email to Juliet Burba, IAS Director of Grants and Research Advancement, at [email protected]. In your email, please address the following, to the best of your ability

  1. What is your project idea?
  2. Why should your project be based at the  IAS?
  3. What is the timeline you envision to develop and implement the project?
  4. Who are the key collaborators, participants, and stakeholders at the University of Minnesota and beyond?
  5. What kinds of project and grant development support is needed?
  6. Do you have funders in mind who might support this project? If so, please name them.