Schiller Institute Grants for Faculty

The Schiller Institute is excited to launch the Integrated Network for Schiller Projects in Innovation, Research & Excellence (INSPIRE) seed grant program. Please see the Call for Proposals below.

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Learn about our other seed grant projects on the SI-GECS Grant Recipients and SI-RITEA Grant Recipients pages.

Call for Proposals: Integrated Network for Schiller Projects in Innovation, Research & Excellence (INSPIRE)

The Schiller Institute invites proposals for innovative, collaborative projects that bring together complementary expertise to address pressing challenges in energy, health, or the environment. This initiative aims to catalyze interdisciplinary partnerships that leverage the strengths of multiple research groups while fostering a vibrant, shared intellectual community.

Priority Consideration

Applicants are encouraged to take full advantage of the Institute’s collaborative environment, shared facilities, and opportunities for crossdisciplinary engagement. Priority will be given to projects with well justified plans for meaningful use of Schiller resources.

  • Proposals must involve two or more investigators with clearly complementary expertise.
  • Teams may include faculty, research staff, postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, or undergraduate researchers, as appropriate.
  • Projects should demonstrate a clear plan for onsite collaboration.

Submissions should include:

  1. Project Summary (1 page): Goals, significance, and expected outcomes.
  2. Collaborative Plan (4 pages): Description of complementary expertise and how the team will work together; proposals should include a Project Leadership Plan for Multiple PIs.
  3. Use of Schiller Institute Resources (2 pages): Specific research activities that will leverage Schiller resources, including laboratory, office, and write up space. Successful applications are expected to clearly outline a pathway to measurable successes and how the Schiller grant can help bridge critical gaps or remove key barriers on this roadmap.
  4. Timeline, Milestones, and Leverage Plans: A clear timeline for completing the proposed work. Space and resources will be provided for a period commensurate with the scope of work and budget.
  5. Budget Overview and Justification: The budget should align with the timeline above to ensure that funds are released at the appropriate time.

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

  • Strength and complementarity of the collaborative team
  • Alignment with one or more Schiller Institute thematic areas
  • Effective and intentional use of Schiller Institute resources
  • Potential for scientific, technological, or societal impactÌý
  • Feasibility and clarity of the proposed plan
  • Potential for long term success, including pathways toward technology transfer, industry partnerships, or large-scale external funding

All submissions will undergo an initial screening for eligibility and alignment with Schiller priorities. Eligible proposals will be sent for external review. Final selections will be made by an internal committee, informed by the external evaluations and the criteria above.

  • Deadline: June 15, 2026
  • Award Notification: September 15, 2026

Pre-Submission Inquiries

Interested faculty members are encouraged - but not required - to consult with theinterim director prior to submitting a full proposal. A brief white paper outlining theproject summary, information about the PIs, and the proposed leverage plan will bemost helpful for this purpose.

This FAQ is meant to make the application process clearer and to give colleagues a sense of how the INSPIRE program works, what we’re looking for, and how to think about putting together a strong proposal. If you have a question that isn’t covered here, please feel free to reach out.

1. I don’t see budgetary guidelines. What’s considered a reasonable budget?

The lack of a specific budget cap is intentional. Research needs vary widely across disciplines, and we don’t want to force everyone into the same box. Instead, we encourage you to think in terms of resources rather than a dollar figure.

A few helpful questions to guide your planning:

  • What would be a reasonable annual budget in your field?
  • How do these resources move you toward your long‑term goals?
  • What milestone could you realistically reach within the funding period?

Budgets may include student support, travel, consumables, participant payments, or access to shared facilities. INSPIRE is designed as a seed grant, so if you believe more than one year of support is essential, please explain why.

2. I’m worried about external reviews. Won’t this expose my ideas and make me vulnerable?

It’s completely understandable to feel protective of your ideas. Peer review, however, is a core part of scholarly life, and documented cases of idea theft through review are extremely rare. In practice, external feedback often strengthens proposals and increases competitiveness for future funding. To ensure an impartial assessment, external reviewers will be thoroughly screened for potential conflicts of interest.

That said, if you remain uncomfortable, you may indicate in your application that you prefer not to have external reviewers. Your proposal will still receive a full internal review, which is required for award decisions.

3. The call seems to prioritize projects that use Schiller space. My project doesn’t require physical co‑location. Should I still apply?

Absolutely. You’re not discouraged from applying.

That said, one of Schiller’s core missions is to bring people together—literally and intellectually—to spark ideas that don’t emerge when we work in isolation. Our collaborative spaces (labs, write‑up areas, shared equipment) are currently underutilized, so for this round we’re encouraging projects that make active use of them. This will be one factor the committee considers.

If your project doesn’t require physical co‑location, just be sure to articulate how your collaboration will thrive and how the work aligns with Schiller’s mission.

4. Who is eligible to apply?

Faculty from across Boston College are welcome to apply. Projects that bring together colleagues from different disciplines, especially those that bridge the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and professional schools, are strongly encouraged.

5. What kinds of projects are you looking for?

Projects that:

  • address meaningful societal challenges
  • bring together diverse expertise
  • have a clear path toward external funding, publication, or long‑term impact
  • can achieve a concrete milestone within the funding period

We’re not expecting fully developed research programs — this is seed funding. But we are looking for ideas with real potential to grow.

6. Can I request funding for more than one year?

Yes, but only with a clear justification. Multi-year requests must specifically detail the discrete milestone achievable in each funding year and explain why a single-year seed grant would be insufficient to reach the first critical milestone.

7. When will decisions be announced?

We aim to notify applicants by the date listed in the call. If anything changes, we will communicate promptly.

8. If my proposal isn’t funded, can I resubmit next year?

Yes. We encourage resubmissions, especially when applicants incorporate feedback from reviewers.

9. Will I receive reviewer comments?

Yes. Our goal is to provide constructive feedback that helps you strengthen your work, regardless of the outcome.

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