The Faculty Steering Committee of the University of Chicago International Institute of Research in Paris is pleased to invite proposals for a new Resident Faculty Fellowship program, which provide grants of up to $20,000 to support month-long residencies at the IIRP for UChicago scholars and artists engaged in intensive project-based collaborative research with colleagues from institutions across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Application Deadline and Submission
Applications must be submitted on or before February 27th, 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
- 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
- potential of the collaborative team in contributing to a vibrant intellectual environment at the IIRP and the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris
Funded by the Office of the Provost and the College with support from the Division of the Arts & Humanities, the Biological Sciences Division, the Physical Sciences Division, the Social Sciences Division, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, this program supports the residencies and research activities at the IIRP of a group of scholars.
The ideal submission includes a collaborative research project that brings together a minimum of three Resident Fellows – one lead faculty member or other academic appointee from UChicago and two collaborators, primarily based in Europe, Africa, or the Middle East – for a month-long residency at the IIRP. When beneficial for the research goals, different arrangements may be proposed (e.g., two Resident Faculty Fellows—one from UChicago and one from the target regions—each bringing a Resident Student/Postdoctoral Fellow.) A preference will be given for month-long residencies, but two sessions may be allowed if justified by research objectives.
The award provides funding for transportation, lodging, and living allowance, with expenses capped as specified in the application’s instructions. The remainder of the fellowship may be used to cover research materials, organize a larger event, or invite other participants during the residence. The Fellows will be given office space and access to the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris facilities during the period of their residency.
Additional participants supported by external funding are welcome to be included in the proposal; these participants may request office space and will have access to the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris facilities during their stay.
In this inaugural call for Resident Faculty Fellowships, proposals requiring some flexibility of the guidelines outlined above and of the award amount will also be evaluated, when the requests are beneficial for the research project and do not alter the nature of the Fellowship.
Requests of up to $20,000 will be considered. Please note that a budget form is required and that there are spending caps on certain types of expenses. Also note that funding cannot be used to support extended stays at other institutions—including in Paris—during the residency.
Awards are open to all UChicago faculty and other academic appointees from all schools, divisions, and disciplines.
The IIRP Resident Faculty Fellowship applications 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.
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 Resident Faculty Fellowships 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)