The Faculty Steering Committee of the University of Chicago International Institute of Research in Paris is pleased to invite proposals for faculty grants to support research programs and develop scholarly or creative networks in Paris and throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Requests of up to $15,000 for one-year projects and requests of up to $30,000 for two-year projects will be considered. IIRP Faculty Grant-supported projects should be based at (or include an important component taking place in) the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris facilities, the hub of the IIRP.
Application Deadline and Submission
Applications must be submitted on or before February 27, 2026 through the University of Chicago’s InfoReady Funding Portal. For more information, see the “To Apply” section below.
About the International Institute of Research in Paris
Housed within the University of Chicago’s John W. Boyer Center in Paris, the International Institute of Research in Paris (IIRP) offers innovative possibilities for research, collaboration, and public-facing discourse between University scholars and their partners around the world. The IIRP supports and promotes the University’s engagement throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, fostering intellectual creativity and collaboration among students, scholars, alumni, artists, practitioners, and policymakers.
- intellectual and/or artistic merit and
- reasonableness of proposed costs relative to anticipated results
- potential impact of the project as a tool for building networks in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East
- the centrality of the IIRP with respect to programmatic activities
Funded by the Office of the Provost and the College with additional support provided by the Division of the Arts & Humanities, the Division of the Biological Sciences, the Division of the Physical Sciences, the Division of the Social Sciences, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, this program offers funding to activate and amplify networks and collaborations among members of the entire University research community and members of creative, scholarly and research communities in institutions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The ideal submission should have clear intellectual or artistic merit, involve a programmatic element, incorporate meaningful participation and expertise from both the University and one or more partner institutions in the target regions. When appropriate, applicants should indicate how the project will continue beyond the grant period. Wherever possible, outside funding (e.g., research funds, national agency or foundation funding, funds raised by collaborators) to supplement the faculty grant is strongly encouraged.
Note that faculty grant funding may only support activities substantially based at the IIRP and engaging with the target region of Europe, Africa and/or the Middle East. Activities in other locations, including Chicago, must be supported through other sources (relevant grant programs on campus include FACCTS, Neubauer Collegium, IRC Discovery.....)
This program supports single-year collaborations (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027) at levels up to $15,000 as well as two-year* collaborations (July 1, 2026-June 30, 2028) at levels up to $30,000.
*Note that the second year of funding of two-year proposals is contingent on an interim report demonstrating sufficient progress.
Awards are open to all UChicago faculty and other academic appointees from all schools, divisions, and disciplines.
Applicants should indicate how their proposed project will contribute, through the cultivation of intellectual/artistic networks and institutional collaborations, to laying the groundwork for future activity at the research institute in Paris. These proposals should be based at or include an important component taking place at the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris facilities, the hub of the IIRP. Public-facing activities that will elevate the visibility of the IIRP are strongly encouraged.
Eligible activities may include academic and public events (e.g., conferences, workshops, network planning activities, hackathons, lecture series, exhibitions, performances), activities to support summer institute. Specifically encouraged is the development of long-term thematic research programs in collaboration with partners in the target geographic regions.
Evaluation Criteria:All IIRP Faculty Grant applications, regardless of application type, are evaluated on:
Applications will be evaluated by the Faculty Steering Committee of the IIRP and decisions will be communicated before the end of Spring Quarter. IIRP staff will provide planning and logistical support at the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris. For this grant, the costs of space and staff support are included in the award. For the purposes of planning and space coordination, several date options should be provided. If a component of the project takes place elsewhere Investigators will need to arrange for local planning and logistical support, the costs of which should be factored into the project budget.
All applications should be submitted online using the University of Chicago’s InfoReady Funding Portal. Once logged into the portal using your CNetID credentials, search under “IIRP,” select “IIRP Faculty Grant 2026,” download the appropriate Budget template, and start your application. Note that partially completed applications may be saved at any point and accessed in their most recent forms during future visits. Please contact Beth Ziolkowski (bethz@uchicago.edu) in the Office of Research if you experience any technical difficulties accessing or submitting this online application.
If you have any questions as you prepare your application, please contact:
IIRP Senior Administrative & Research Coordinator, Melissa Guarte (mmguarte@uchicago.edu)