Funding Opportunities
Fund Your Projects and Advance Your Career
Our funding programs free up time and resources so scholars can pursue their best work, in the classroom and in their research.
Funding Opportunities
Fund Your Projects and Advance Your Career
Our funding programs enable scholars to spend less time thinking about finances and more time focusing on research and increasing their impact on academia and beyond.
Expense Support for Scholars
We provide support to scholars so they can increase their impact both within and beyond the classroom. Our expense support opportunities provide the freedom for scholars to spend more time focusing on their research, careers, and impactful connections with their students, and less time concerned about finances.
The Hayek Fund
Grant Amount
Up to $5,000
Program Overview
The Hayek Fund is a year round fund that supports graduate students and faculty who are researching and teaching ideas within the classical liberal tradition.
Applications are assessed and awarded on a rolling basis. All scholars engaged in research or teaching at an accredited college or university may apply for funding. The ideal candidate is eager to pursue or continue a career in academia and contribute to the classical liberal intellectual tradition through their scholarship. Applicants will be notified of their award decision within six weeks of submission.
The Hayek Fund Supports
- Travel for job interviews or academic conference presentations
- Submission fees to publish manuscripts and journal articles
- Travel for archival research
- Purchase of data sets
- Participation in seminars or peer reviews
- Collaborative research projects or hiring a research assistant
- Application fees for PhD programs
- Expenses related to participation or facilitation of academic panels
- Book publication expenses, such as copy editing or indexing
- And more
The Hayek Fund Does Not Support
- Research stipends
- Tuition time buy-outs
- Living expenses
- Hardware costs
- Event costs
- Overhead costs
Eligibility
Applicants must be a student or faculty member at an accredited college or university. Preference will be given to applications related to the social sciences and humanities.
- Applications must be submitted six weeks before the project’s start date
- Retroactive funding is ineligible
- Applications may only pertain to one project
- Applicants cannot receive more than $10,000 in funding through The Hayek Fund during an academic year
- Typically the same project will not be funded more than once
Application Requirements
All applications must include
- A clear deliverable
- CV or resume
- A detailed budget proposal
- Essay of 300 words or fewer describing your proposed project or activity and how it will advance your career
- Essay of 300 words or fewer explaining how the proposed project or activity will advance the discussion or study of classical liberal ideas
- Brief statement of how your project aligns with the mission of IHS
- Additional documentation such as a relevant paper to supplement the application is optional
Self-Organized Workshops
Grant Amount
Up to $5,000
Program Overview
IHS seeks proposals from faculty and graduate students for self-organized events. Research workshops offer lively roundtable discussions — in-person or online — around works in progress, including papers, book chapters, completed book manuscripts, dissertation chapters, and so on. Where traditionally these workshops have been planned and hosted by IHS, we have funds to give you the resources to host a workshop yourself.
Support Details
- Awards of up to $5,000 for total reviewer honoraria including:
- Honoraria of $500 each for paper-length manuscripts
- Honoraria of $750 each for book-length manuscripts
- IHS will also provide best practices on running the workshop, and if needed, technical support for the Zoom call
Workshop Requirements
- Workshops to include 3-10 reviewers
- Workshops to be held in-person or synchronously online
- Manuscripts must be ready for review at the time of application
- Awardees will update IHS after the event on the workshop’s success
Eligibility
Applicants must be a student or faculty member at an accredited college or university.
Application Process
- Complete application below
- Include paper title
- Abstract
- List of names of expected reviewers (up to 10 names)
Applicants should submit the names and information of all potential reviewers in order for IHS to begin allocating payments immediately upon application approval. Reviewers needn’t commit before you apply. Due to the lengthy payment process, we’re not at present able to consider alternates should some reviewers be unable to attend. We encourage you to choose reviewers with diverse ideological perspectives, and applications that include such diversity will be viewed favorably.
Once your application is accepted, IHS will provide an honoraria for reviewers, best practices for the event, and basic technical support (if needed).
Application and Deadline
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and decisions will be provided within 3 weeks.
Academic Event Support Grants
Grant Amount
Up to $5,000
Program Overview
Academic Event Support Grants support faculty who want to host on-campus and online events for students and other scholars that support robust discussion and create unique learning and networking opportunities. IHS provides the financial and logistical support to make faculty ideas a reality. Applications are reviewed on rolling basis throughout the year.
Types of Events Supported
These grants can be used to support a variety of events including:
- Special guest lecturers, panel discussions, or interviews
- Workshops and seminars
- Small-scale conferences
- Book clubs and reading groups
- Student discussion colloquia
Eligibility
- Applications must be submitted at least 90 days prior to the proposed event
- Events must be academic in nature
- Events must take place in the United States
- The grant cannot support institutional overhead or indirect costs
Application Requirements
- An event title
- Two potential dates
- A line item budget detailing the event expenses
- Essay of 300 words or less explaining how the proposed project or activity will advance the discussion or study of classical liberal ideas
- Essay of 300 words or less describing your proposed event format and event goals
Humane Studies Fellowship
Our Humane Studies Fellowship offers tiered grant support for graduate students and postdocs looking to build their academic careers and who want to spend more time focusing on publishing. These awards provide access to other IHS opportunities including mentorship, job market support, in-person and online events, and more.
This fellowship program comprises three tiers of support, outlined below.
Conference Accelerator Grants
Grant Amount
$2,000
Program Overview
Humane Studies Fellowship (HSF) Conference Accelerator Grants are designed for master’s and PhD students who haven’t advanced to candidacy. These grants provide $2,000 to support the work of developing a paper into a conference presentation.
HSF awards give you access to other IHS opportunities including mentorship, job market support, in-person and online events, and much more. You’ll also get connected to our diverse community of scholars advancing the science of liberty.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We suggest that you apply no later than April 15 if you seek a grant for summer funding. Applicants will be notified of their award within eight weeks of submission.
Awardee Expectations
Awardees are expected to:
- Submit proof of academic conference participation within six months of award date
Eligibility
Applicants for Humane Studies Fellowship awards must be enrolled in an MA or PhD program. Previous applicants and winners are welcome to apply. Prior participation in IHS programs is not required.
The fellowship is open to students at any university. International students are eligible; however, preference is given to applicants who live or study in North America or the United Kingdom. Qualifying fields of study include economics, political science, philosophy, law, history, sociology, and similar disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. We generally do not fund research in the natural sciences, medicine, or engineering.
Application Requirements
Applications must include:
- Essay explaining your research agenda and how you plan to use the funding, as well as details on current or prospective research
- CV and transcript from current or most recent institution
- Recent writing sample of 3,000 words or fewer
- Dissertation proposal document (if applicable)
- One letter of recommendation due one week after application is submitted
Publication Accelerator Grants
Grant Amount
$5,000
Program Overview
Humane Studies Fellowship (HSF) Publication Accelerator Grants provide $5,000 to support students and postdocs with an established publishing record who commit to submitting an article to a well-regarded journal within the next six months.
HSF awards give you access to other IHS opportunities including mentorship, job market support, in-person and online events, and much more. You’ll also get connected to our diverse community of scholars advancing the science of liberty.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We suggest that you apply no later than April 15 if you seek a grant for summer funding. Applicants will be notified of their award within eight weeks of submission.
Awardee Expectations
Awardees are expected to:
- Submit proof of submission, either as a solo author or first author, to a mainstream journal within six months of awards date
- Submit their work for an IHS Paper Review within three months from the award date
- Present their work at an online IHS event
Eligibility
Applicants for Humane Studies Fellowship awards must be enrolled in an MA or PhD program or be undertaking a post-doctoral fellowship. Previous applicants and winners are welcome to apply. Prior participation in IHS programs is not required.
The fellowship is open to students and postdocs at any university. International students are eligible; however, preference is given to applicants who live or study in North America or the United Kingdom. Qualifying fields of study include economics, political science, philosophy, law, history, sociology, and similar disciplines in the social sciences and humanities. We generally do not fund research in the natural sciences, medicine, or engineering.
Application Requirements
Applications must include:
- Essay explaining your research agenda and how you plan to use the funding, as well as details on current or prospective research
- CV and transcript from current or most recent institution
- Recent writing sample of 3,000 words or fewer
- Dissertation proposal document (if applicable)
- One letter of recommendation due one week after application is submitted
This program is made possible in part by the generous support of the John Templeton Foundation. The ideas and opinions expressed in supported projects are those of the participant(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation or the Institute for Humane Studies.
Graduate Sabbatical Grants
Grant Amount
Up to $15,000
Program Overview
Provides up to $15,000 to graduate students and postdocs to buy out teaching responsibilities for a semester. These grants are highly competitive and can be renewed.
Awardees are expected to:
- Present their work at an online IHS event (e.g. our Graduate Conference)
- Attend one IHS research productivity workshop
- Keep IHS updated on their progress
Eligibility
Applicants for Humane Studies Fellowship awards must be enrolled in an MA or PhD program or be undertaking a post-doctoral fellowship. Previous applicants and winners are welcome to apply. Prior participation in IHS programs is not required.
The fellowship is open to students and postdocs at any university. International students are eligible; however, preference is given to applicants who live or study in North America or the United Kingdom. Qualifying fields of study include economics, political science, philosophy, law, history, sociology, and similar disciplines in the social sciences and humanities.
Applicants must have published previously or have an article currently under review.
Application and Deadline
Sabbatical applications should be submitted at least 4 months before the semester begins. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified of their award decision within eight weeks of submission.
Faculty Funding Opportunities
Our Sabbatical Awards and Research Grants support the research that drives disciplines forward. Opportunities are available for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and full-time faculty working with ideas in the liberal tradition.
Discourse Initiative Research Grants
Funding due date: August 1, 2022 · Decision announcement date:October 3, 2022
Grant Amount
$5,000–$25,000
Program Overview
Awarded to projects that hold significant promise for advancing a deeper understanding of the liberal tradition. Funds may be used to underwrite direct expenses; pay research assistants, editors, or other contractors; or buy out time. Funds cannot be used to support institutional overhead or indirect costs.
Topics Funded
Grants are awarded to projects that align with IHS core topics including but not limited to key challenges within a free society, cultural challenges within a liberal society, contentious topics within the liberal tradition, liberalism in times of crisis, and liberalism and its critics.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must be employed full time as a member of faculty or post-doctoral fellow at a four-year, degree-granting institution. Preference will be given to applicants based at institutions in North America and the United Kingdom.
Application and Deadline
August 1, 2022 | Applications for spring 2023 projects are due.
October 3, 2022 | Decisions announced.
Applications will reopen in late August 2022.
Grant for Free Speech and Open Inquiry
Funding due date: August 1, 2022 · Decision announcement date:October 3, 2022
Grant Amount
$5,000–$25,000
Program Overview
Awarded to faculty interested in fostering free speech and civil discourse in academia through research, campus events, and curricula. Funds cannot be used to support institutional overhead or indirect costs.
Research Topics Funded
Relevant subject areas include the history and theory of free speech, its philosophical and legal defenses, the importance of open inquiry and intellectual diversity in higher education, and much more.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a major research award from IHS, you must be employed full time as a member of faculty or post-doctoral fellow at a four-year, degree-granting institution. Preference will be given to applicants based at institutions in North America and the United Kingdom.
Application and Deadline
August 1, 2022 | Applications for spring 2023 projects are due.
October 3, 2022 | Decisions announced.
Applications will reopen in late August 2022.
Sabbatical Research Fellowship
Funding due date: August 1, 2022 · Decision announcement date:October 3, 2022
Grant Amount
$50,000
Program Overview
A highly competitive grant awarded to faculty in need of sabbatical leave. Strong preference is given to junior faculty and those without other sabbatical opportunities; more senior scholars (10+ years from PhD) should apply for our Discourse Initiative Research Grant.
Funds cannot be used to support institutional overhead and indirect costs.
Research Topics Funded
Areas of interest include research in the classical liberal intellectual tradition, free/open markets, individual rights, private property, peace, prosperity, self-determination/autonomy, and other related themes.
Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a major research award from IHS, you must be employed full time as a member of faculty or post-doctoral fellow at a four-year, degree-granting institution. Preference will be given to applicants based at institutions in North America and the United Kingdom.
Application and Deadline
August 1, 2022 | Applications for fall 2023 projects are due.
October 3, 2022 | Decisions announced.
Applications will reopen in late August 2022.
Roger Pilon Fellowship
Grant Amount
up to $10,000
The Roger Pilon Fellowship awards up to $10,000 to qualified Columbia University School of General Studies students selected each year by IHS.
The grant is paid out in two parts: $5,000 upon initial acceptance and $5,000 after attending an IHS event. Winners will receive information about upcoming IHS events.
Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year will open in Spring 2023.
We also encourage you to explore additional awards and grants from IHS.
More About the Roger Pilon Fellowship
The Roger Pilon Fellowship is generously supported by Roger Pilon, Ph.D., J.D. (GS, 1971) and administered by the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS), whose mission is to support and partner with scholars to promote the teaching and research of classical liberal ideas and to advance higher education’s core purpose of intellectual discovery and human progress. The fellowships are intended for students planning careers that advance the ideas of the classical liberal tradition.
Am I eligible?
The Roger Pilon Fellowship is open to full-time students who will be enrolled at Columbia University’s School of General Studies, during the 2022-2023 academic year.
The fellowships are intended for students who plan to pursue either
1) academic careers in political philosophy, American history, economics, or law, or
2) legal careers practicing public-interest law in the classical liberal tradition.
Veterans of U.S. armed forces will receive special consideration.
What do I need to complete the application?
A completed online application form that includes:
- CV or resume
- Official transcript from Columbia University’s School of General Studies (prospective students may submit most recent transcript from a previous institution)
- Short essays on the following:
- List four books or thinkers that have influenced your worldview, and explain why (<100 words each).
- Autobiographical sketch (tell us about yourself!) (<500 words).
- Discuss your understanding of the U.S. Constitution (<1,000 words).
- Discuss your career plans, including why you have chosen them (<500 words).
- One letter of recommendation, sent from the recommender directly to the Institute for Humane Studies.
Please direct any questions and letters of recommendation to Funding@theihs.org.
