Arts Research + Resilience Grants

Applications are now open for the Arts Research + Resilience Grants, a partnership between Arizona Arts and the Arizona Institute for Resilience (AIR). The program will fund projects which utilize arts research methods to advance AIR’s mission of supporting interdisciplinary groups, including with off-campus partners, to address resilience in our natural and human communities. All Arizona Arts faculty and staff are eligible to apply or up to $15,000.

Timeline

• 2025
  • Nov 21 – Request for proposals released
  • Dec 11 – Budgets due to unit business managers
  • Dec 15 – Proposals due (including business manager approval)
  • Dec 22 – Recipients notified
• 2026
  • May 15 – All funds must be spent
  • June 1 – Final Reports due

Funding Source

In 2000, Arizona voters made a commitment to stimulate innovation and research and to support Arizona’s knowledge-based economy. The Technology and Research Initiative Fund (TRIF) was created to catalyze research and technology at the University of Arizona. The Water, Environmental, and Energy Solutions (WEES) is one of Arizona’s TRIF initiatives. 

The benefits may include new external funding coming to the state; training of the future workforce (students, teachers, postdocs); new community partnerships or assistance, new products or services that benefit people in the state. AIRES themes within the TRIF/WEES initiative

Funding Purpose

• Short-term hourly U of A student wages and Employee Related Expenses (ERE)
• U of A research technical staff, graduate students, ERE and tuition and fees (when applicable)
• Up to two weeks summer salary/supplemental comp for research scientists and pre-tenure faculty
• Short-term outside contracts (such as for graphics, websites, facilitator, consultants etc.)
• Honoraria and participant stipends
• Meeting, workshop, and event costs
• Supplies and support of field work
• Specialized equipment pertaining specifically to the project
• Travel

Criteria for Review

• Clarity of the procedures and timeline, including a line-itemized budget with justification.
• Feasibility to start promptly and be accomplished within the time constraints of the funding.
• Likelihood for the project to secure future external support.
• Applicant/team qualification to carry out the scope of proposed activities.
• The impact of the proposed project to advance resilience in our natural and human communities.
• Engagement with off-campus partners utilizing arts research methods

How to Apply

Please combine the following into a single pdf file for submittal to Assistant Dean of Research, Ellen McMahon, emcmahon@arizona.edu.

1. Two-page (maximum) proposal that includes:
   • Statement of specific aims and objectives
   • Approach and/or methods
   • Expected outcomes and impacts
   • Expected returns, including positioning for specific external funding opportunities, technology transfer, and/or benefits to Arizona
2. Supporting Materials:
   • One page CV of all participants for each PI and key collaborators, highlighting work relevant to this proposal.
   • 250-word abstract.
   • Budget and budget justification (see below)
   • Confirmation from the appropriate business manager in your school, department or unit that your budget has been reviewed and is correct at the time of submission. For this confirmation, an email from the business manager is acceptable if the email includes the total dollar amount requested (submit to appropriate business manager by December 11 to allow time for this process).

Budget and Budget Justification

Prepare a separate detailed budget and justification using the Excel budget template with line-item listing of all relevant categories for expenses and income, such as:

• Personnel: Provide justification for wages and include ERE for all eligible personnel.
• Honoraria or guest artist fees: Provide details on fees and identify groups to be impacted (e.g. student groups, classes, community audiences, etc.).
• Equipment: Specify items and amounts. Items purchased may be used exclusively by applicant but remain the property of the University of Arizona.
• Supplies and materials: Specify items and amounts.
• Other sources of funding and earned income: Sources may include, but not be limited to, other units at The University of Arizona, other institutions, local or national grants, in-kind support, funding from individuals, etc.

Final Report

Recipients of grants will be expected to file a brief report on the use of the funds within 60 days of the completion of the project. The report should include project outcomes, a final budget listing actual versus projected funds, and progress towards external funding.