Eligibility

Project proposals should take a comprehensive approach to tackling the challenges and opportunities of cities. Proposals are welcome from University of Chicago faculty, full-time research appointees, and lecturers. Applicants may submit more than one proposal, with different collaborative teams, provided that each application is distinct. We encourage methodological innovation and collaborations with partners outside the University of Chicago.

Award

Selected projects will receive a blend of direct funding and in-kind support from the Mansueto Institute. Submissions are eligible for a range of funding for research projects, from seed awards up to $25,000, to larger-scale awards of $25,000–$100,000.

Seed support is intended for projects that are less developed, including, but not limited to, strengthening emerging or prospective collaborations, planning for the development of a large-scale project, convening partners for a workshop, covering conference-related expenses, supporting the development of new curricula, testing experimental methods, or exploring innovative uses of technology.

Proposals for large-scale project support are expected to present a clearly established research agenda and a well-developed plan for implementation.

The Mansueto Institute will support the following project expenses in-kind: research assistant compensation and supervision, event and travel budget, data and equipment purchasing, and communications and marketing resources. Funded proposals also have access to event and co-working space at the Mansueto Institute on the University of Chicago campus. Read more about how we support research projects.

Award funding cannot be used for faculty salary support, course reduction, academic leave, or summer salary, sub-awards to external (non-University of Chicago) collaborators, the purchase of equipment at institutions other than University of Chicago, or indirect costs. Indirect costs are those that are not directly identifiable to a specific sponsored project (administrative, clerical work, telephones, office supplies, electricity, gas, rent, etc.).

Criteria

Proposals will be reviewed by a faculty committee using the following measures:

• Explicitly Urban: Focus on a novel question or method pertaining to the study of cities.
• Interdisciplinary Synthesis and Collaboration: Includes collaboration between two or more disciplines as appropriate to address the proposal’s objectives.
• Originality and Significance of the Research and/or Methodological Innovation: Advances new ideas / research methods in the social, natural, data sciences, and/or the humanities, or the project uses existing approaches in an original way that provides significant impact to questions related to urban studies.
• Potential For Continuity: A clear plan to leverage Mansueto Institute’s seed support to attract additional resources that support long-term efforts beyond the project period, for example in terms of intended grant applications.
• Feasibility & Deliverables: Clearly conveys anticipated project outputs – such as research results, educational materials, data or tools, or other products – and an aligned approach to achieve outputs within the project period.

Application

Research project proposals should be submitted using the form below and must include:

1. A Statement of Purpose

• Abstract (250 words max): What is the problem you seek to address, what is your approach to address this topic, and what specific outcomes will your project deliver?
• Research Plan (750 words max): Please describe your research question(s) and why it/they are novel and important. Also, articulate why this work would benefit from collaboration, anticipated outcomes, and a timeline & key project milestones. Specify follow-on funding opportunities you will target should the project generate expected data, analysis or results.
• Mission Alignment (2-3 sentences): Describe how the project advances the overall mission of the Mansueto Institute.

2. Budget and Budget Narrative (a budget template is available for download; narrative 250 words max)

3. A CV or Resume for the project lead

Commitment

Awarded projects are asked to commit to the following:

• Participation in Institute Events/Programs: One of the Mansueto Institute’s goals is to build an active research and scholarship community. Awardees will be requested to participate in community activities, which may include workshops, seminars, conferences, and other relevant activities.
• Acknowledgement & Publications: Publications related to the awarded project must acknowledge the Institute’s support and be part of our Working Paper Series, a forum for disseminating early-stage, pre-print urban research and an opportunity to make your work visible to our 1,400+ subscribers, and others working in this space.
• Project Summary at Conclusion of Award: Complete a project summary and results at the conclusion of the award which the Mansueto Institute will disseminate in our communications channels, including our newsletter, social media, and website

Research Project Proposal Application Form

Please use the below form to submit your proposal materials. For questions, please email Brian Wilson, Associate Director, at bcwilson@uchicago.edu.