COVID-19 Research Recovery Grants
In response to significant and ongoing challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, Northwestern University has renewed the COVID-19 Research Recovery Grant Program for 2022-23 to help mitigate the disruption to faculty members’ research. This program was established in 2021-22 to assist faculty whose research or creative work has been markedly delayed, interrupted or otherwise disrupted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
About the Grants
Two levels of grants, Purple and White grants, are available for pre-tenure faculty and tenured associate professors with a demonstrated need for recovery funds. Eligible faculty members can submit one proposal for the most appropriate grant level based on their individual research recovery needs. For both assistant and associate professors, priority is given to those who have had significant caregiving responsibilities during the period of the pandemic.
| Purple Grants | White Grants | |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-tenure assistant professors | Up to $35,000 | Up to $10,000 |
| Tenured associate professors | Up to $25,000 | Up to $7,500 |
| Examples of possible expenses | Supporting research personnel or crews for creative work, maintaining animal colonies or restarting stalled major projects | Travel to conduct archival research, fieldwork or creative work; purchase of research services such as transcription or laboratory services; acquisition of research materials or supplies; or funding student research assistants |
Eligibility
The COVID-19 Research Recovery Grant Program is intended for pre-tenure faculty members and tenured associate professors in Bienen, McCormick, Medill, SESP, SoC and Weinberg. For both assistant and associate professors, priority is given to those who have had significant caregiving responsibilities during the period of the pandemic.
Faculty members who received a COVID-19 Research Recovery Grant in 2021-2022 are not eligible in 2022-2023. Any applicants in humanities, social sciences, and arts fields not selected for the COVID-19 Research Recovery Grant automatically will be considered for a Provost Grant for Research in Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts (HSSA).
Questions about eligibility? Contact faculty@northwestern.edu.
Criteria
Proposals will be judged on:
- Potential impact of funding on recovery from COVID-19 disruption to research, on promotion and tenure progress or promotion to full professor progress, and on the applicant’s body of research or creative work
- Magnitude and nature of disruption to research due to COVID-19; academic, scholarly or creative merit and originality of the applicant’s research or creative work; and anticipated research or creative output and dissemination, including, for example, publications, papers, future grant applications, performance, etc.
Grant proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of faculty and Office of the Provost representatives. Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose research has been significantly disrupted due to primary caregiving responsibilities during the pandemic.
Funding
COVID-19 Research Recovery Grants funds will be paid into faculty discretionary accounts during FY23. Funds must be used by Aug. 31, 2024. Submit one proposal for the most appropriate grant level based on your individual research recovery needs. Indirect costs will not be charged.
Eligible research expenses include:
- Graduate student or post-doc support. Faculty should consult with their school dean’s graduate student office regarding school-specific guidelines for stipend/tuition payments to graduate students before estimating their budget.
- Assistants or crews for creative work (e.g., video editor, composer, animator, etc.)
- Travel expenses related to conducting research or creative work
- Acquisition of research materials, supplies, user fees and lab services (including, for example, maintaining an animal colony)
- Data collection, such as conducting surveys or interviews, including transcription services
- Artistic supplies beyond what would be considered normal and customary in the field
- Construction, rental or purchase of special equipment not available on campus
Non-allowable expenses include:
- Faculty salary, including summer salary
- Travel to conferences
- Entertainment of visitors, including purchase of alcohol
- Teaching activities
The FY23 Northwestern minimum salary for postdoctoral associates is $47,476. The FY23 TGS minimum stipend rate for graduate students in 2022-2023 is $35,196 per year.
Reporting
All grantees must provide a one-page written report on the usage of funding and research progress by Sept. 30, 2024.
Application Materials
All proposals should be submitted using the online proposal form, which requires:
- Name, department(s), school(s), attestation of caregiver status, and area of research or project title, and which grant you are applying for (Purple or White)
- Statement of Funding Impact and Budget: Explain why you are requesting funding and how the funds will be used to support recovery of your research or creative work. Include how you will use the award to mitigate impacts and disruption caused by COVID-19 and support your progress to promotion and tenure. If appropriate, include potential opportunities for external funding. (500 words maximum)
- Research Description: Summary of the research or creative work and its goals, originality and contribution to the field; include discussion of your proposed activities, feasibility, and your anticipated findings, output and dissemination of your research. (500 words maximum)
- Budget Worksheet: Fill out and upload the budget worksheet to the online proposal form.
- Applicants with creative work should include work samples; please review the Guidelines for Creative Work Samples for more information.
Deadline
February 1, 2023
Questions
If you have questions about the grants, including eligible expenses, please email faculty@northwestern.edu.