2025–26 CIS Faculty Research Funding: Call for Proposals

PRIORITY DEADLINE: Sept. 25, 2025; applications considered on a rolling basis thereafter through Feb. 1, 2026.

The Center for International Studies provides funding to serve the research needs of faculty (T/TT and RTPC) from the Political Science and International Relations department specializing in international relations or comparative politics. Please note that faculty specializing in American Politics qualify if they demonstrate a clear IR or CP dimension of their proposed research project.

 

  • Up to $5,000 in research funding available to T/TT faculty
    • Will consider awarding 1–2 faculty up to $10,000 for exceptional proposals (see below)
  • Up to $3,000 in research funding available to RTPC faculty and postdoctoral fellows

 

CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS

Applicants will be assessed based on the strength of their proposals, including the likelihood of a publishing outcome, record of mentorship, and the degree of participation in CIS programming over the past two years.

Applicants must demonstrate they have sought or intend to seek partial funding for their proposed project from the POIR department during its annual call for funding.

Applicants who have received funding in the prior year must first submit an impact report on all categories of awarded funding before their new proposals will be considered.

 

USC SPENDING GUIDELINES IN 2025–26

The university and USC Dornsife have introduced strict guidelines related to research spending, including travel and supplier contracts for research assistance, data purchases, and surveys.

We recommend that you read the center’s Frequently Asked Questions before submitting your proposal. Another critical resource is the Travel Expenditures Supplemental Policy updated by USC on June 11, 2025.

Please note especially the following requirements relevant to consideration of your proposals:

All travel associated with any research award is contingent on pre-approval in writing by the dean or senior vice president. Pre-approval documentation must clearly state the purpose of the travel.

CIS will provide preliminary approval of proposals CONTINGENT on applicants obtaining the required pre-approval from USC Dornsife prior to allocation of funding. CIS staff will provide some guidance on expediting this process, but applicants must take the initiative to ensure completion of review by USC Dornsife. Upon approval, you must attach approval documentation with all reimbursement materials in Concur. Travel without written pre-approval is not eligible for reimbursement.

Examples of permitted travel activities include formal or invited roles at a conference (e.g., speaker, presenter, panelist, moderator, conference organizer). General attendance at conferences without a formal role will not be funded. Please refer to the full guidelines linked above before submitting a proposal.

 

Note: There are separate application procedures for hosting conferences, conducting manuscript review workshops, and seeking research assistance from graduate students or undergraduates.

 

EXCEPTIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS

Faculty (T/TT)* seeking funding above $5,000 and up to $10,000 must meet additional criteria:

  • Must submit proposal by the priority deadline of Sept. 25, 2025; no exceptions.
  • Must be used by May 15, 2026; no exceptions.
  • Provide clear expenditure itemization in proposal
  • Demonstrate an exceptional record of publication, including (a) articles in highly ranked journals in the last 3 years; (b) a book with a reputable university press in the past 5 years; and/or (c) co-publications with POIR PhD students in any journal in the last 5 years.
  • Active participation in CIS is required, including meeting at least one of the following criteria over the past year:
    • At least 80% attendance in either the IR or CP workshop series.
    • Presentation of a paper at an IR or CP workshop.
    • Moderator of the IR & CP workshop series for a semester or academic year.

Junior faculty (T/TT) seeking exceptional funding are not expected to meet the above criteria prior to applying for funding; instead, they are encouraged to outline possible publishing outlets for their CIS-funded research.

Please note that due to budget restrictions, we will only be able to award one or two proposals at the exceptional category.

 

POLICIES

  • Please note that any changes to the scope of an approved proposal must be resubmitted to CIS for review before starting a project or traveling.
  • To qualify for reimbursement, you must provide documentation for the types of transactions noted in your proposal. Please also attach pre-approval documentation from USC Dornsife. Add-ons, no matter how relevant to your project, will not be covered.
  • There will be no rollovers of unused balances from one academic year into the next. For example, if the total expense from research travel or a survey falls below the awarded amount after a trip or project, the balance on an award does not roll over. Faculty must apply again during a new award cycle.
  • Faculty seeking funding for travel or purchases needed in summer 2026 (June, July, August) must request an exception to the traditional funding deadlines at the time of their application.
  • Research awards cannot be used to supplement expenses from other CIS funding awards such as conferences, manuscript book reviews, etc.
  • No funding will be allocated for:
    • Method and language training (Please contact the POIR office)
    • Hardware and computer equipment
    • Conference attendance without one’s name appearing on the program.
  • Awards are issued through pre-approved travel reimbursements, purchases, vendor contracts, payroll set-up, etc. and must follow USC policies and procedures (linked above). CIS is not responsible for issuing funding – even if stated on an award letter – if expenditures do not meet USC’s policies. (CIS will work with faculty to make sure award requests meet USC business policies, and faculty can reach out to CIS staff prior to applying with questions.)
  • It is the faculty’s responsibility to reach out to CIS staff well in advance of the project start date to discuss a timeline and provide enough lead time for business processes. The center has the right to rescind the research award if submitted costs do not match the proposed budget line items.

 

PROCESS

Please 1) complete the online Faculty Research Funding form and 2) upload a budget and any corresponding documentation.

DEADLINES

  • Aug. 27, 2025: Funding application period for 2025–26 opens.
  • Sept. 25, 2025: Priority deadline (final deadline for exceptional proposals); applications will be reviewed thereafter on a rolling basis; if your project is time sensitive, we recommend you submit your proposal by the priority deadline.
  • Feb. 1, 2026: Last day to apply for 2025–26 research funding.
  • May 15, 2026: All funds must be used, including survey purchases (unless plans for expenditure during June–July–August were requested in application).
  • June 1, 2026: Last date to process receipts in Concur and Workday for funds awarded for travel/vendor payments/purchases/independent contractors (unless plans for expenditure during June–July–August were requested in application).
  • 15, 2026: For those receiving an extension, all funds must be used, including survey purchases.
  • 1, 2026: Impact reports due.

 

CONTACT
Email: cis@dornsife.usc.edu with any questions.

 

Note: You may submit proposals that include multiple categories of support (ie, travel needs; data purchase; etc.); please itemize the categories of support and amount of funding needed for each.

 

Appendix: Categories of Funding & Guidelines

 

High priority funding categories:

Type Description & Process
Travel related to research You must provide a detailed itinerary with a clearly outlined purpose of your travel; DO NOT purchase any travel until after you have been approved by both the Center and USC Dornsife.
Economy modes of travel for research: airfare, ground level, lodging per diem, mileage on a personal vehicle.
Reimbursement to traveler after completion of the trip. Advance purchase of prepaid airfare may be available if CIS staff receive enough lead time (30-60 days before travel).
See the USC Travel Expenditures Supplemental Policy for further guidance.
Research assistance and translation assistance Though there are separate CIS calls for traditional grad and undergad RAs, research assistance from USC PhD students (during breaks) may be possible but under strict guidelines. USC students will be paid bi-weekly through Workday.
Non-USC student and translator work may possibly get paid through the independent contractor process, which can take 6–8 weeks for review. Work can start only after a contractor is approved.
See the USC Professional Services Supplemental Policy for further guidance.
Surveys, experiments, and other types of primary data gathering Lucid, Prolific, and MTurk are registered USC vendors. Check with CIS about other companies’ USC registration status.
If a survey company is not registered with USC, they must go through the vendor registration process prior to service, which can take a few weeks. Survey services must get paid directly by USC; no reimbursements are made to faculty. Faculty must work with CIS and the Dornsife Business office staff to set up surveys; this set-up process can take a few weeks to launch. Please allow 6–8 weeks for the onboarding process prior to beginning work.See the USC Professional Services Supplemental Policy for further guidance.
Seed money for grant proposal writing or feasibility research Approved modes of research payment to help faculty apply to larger grants: i.e., travel support to meet with foundations, coordinating related research assistance, etc.
Travel support for these efforts will be curtailed in 2025–26, so we recommend you demonstrate why in-person travel is necessary rather than modes of virtual communication.
Presenting at a conference Applicants should demonstrate they have first sought funding for this purpose from the department; process is the same as planning for research travel.
General attendance at conferences without a formal role will not be funded. Please refer to the Travel Expenditures Supplemental Policy before submitting a proposal.
Please demonstrate why it is essential you present your research in person as opposed to any virtual options offered by the conference in question.
If you obtain preliminary approval from CIS based on tentative plans to present at a conference, you must provide final confirmation that you are on the conference program before moving forward with any reimbursable travel.

 

Lower priority, but possible funding for:

Type Description
Subvention for book publication Publisher must be an approved USC vendor.
Editing fee for manuscripts Editors must go through the independent contractor process, which can take 6–8 weeks for approval. Work cannot begin prior to approval.
Translation fees for a published book Translators must go through the independent contractor process, which can take 6–8 weeks for approval (if translation is through a company, the company must be a registered USC vendor). Work cannot begin prior to approval or vendor registration.
Purchase of published books Reimbursement or prepaid purchase.
Attending a conference as a discussant or a moderator and/or organizing a panel at a conference in collaboration with POIR PhD students. The process is the same as planning for research travel.

 

  • PRIORITY DEADLINE: Sept. 9, 2024; applications considered on a rolling basis thereafter through Feb. 1, 2025

     

    The Center for International Studies is pleased to announce its annual call for proposals serving the research needs of faculty (T/TT and RTPC) from the Political Science and International Relations department specializing in international relations or comparative politics. Please note that faculty specializing in American Politics qualify if they demonstrate a clear IR or CP dimension of their research.

    • $5,000 in research funding available to T/TT faculty; up to $10,000 in exceptional circumstances
    • $3,000 in research funding available to RTPC faculty; up to $5,000 in exceptional circumstances
    • $3,000 in research funding available to postdoctoral fellows from POIR

     

    CRITERIA FOR CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS

    Applicants will be assessed based on the strength of their proposals, including the likelihood of a publishing outcome, record of mentorship, and the degree of participation in CIS programming over the past two years.

    Applicants must indicate if they have sought or intend to seek partial funding for their proposed project from the POIR department during its annual call for funding.

    Applicants who have received funding in the prior year must first submit an impact report on all categories of awarded funding before their new proposals will be considered.

    Note: You may submit proposals that include multiple categories of support (ie, travel needs; data purchase; etc.); please itemize the categories of support and amount of funding needed for each.

     

    High priority funding categories:

    Type Description & Process
    Travel related to research Economy modes of travel for research: airfare, ground travel, lodging, per diem, mileage on a personal vehicle. Reimbursement to traveler after completion of the trip. Advance purchase of prepaid airfare may be available if CIS staff receive enough lead time (30–60 days before travel).
    Research assistance and translation assistance Though there are separate CIS calls for traditional grad and undergad RAs, research assistance from USC PhD students (during breaks) may be possible but under strict guidelines. USC students will be paid bi-weekly through Workday. Non-USC student and translator work may possibly get paid through the independent contractor process, which can take 6–8 weeks for review. Work can start only after a contractor is approved.
    Surveys, experiments, and other types of primary data gathering Lucid, Prolific, and MTurk are registered USC vendors. Check with CIS about other companies’ USC registration status. If a survey company is not registered with USC, they must go through the vendor registration process prior to service, which can take a few weeks. Survey services must get paid directly by USC; no reimbursements are made to faculty. Faculty must work with CIS and the Dornsife Business office staff to set up surveys; this set-up process can take a few weeks to launch. Please allow 6–8 weeks for the onboarding process prior to beginning work.
    Seed money for grant proposal writing or feasibility research Approved modes of research payment to help faculty apply to larger grants: i.e., travel support to meet with foundations, coordinating related research assistance, etc.
    Presenting at a conference Applicants should demonstrate they have first sought funding for this purpose from Dornsife Faculty Development Funding or the department; process is the same as planning for research travel.

     

    Lower priority, but possible funding for:

    Type Description
    Subvention for book publication Publisher must be an approved USC vendor.
    Editing fee for manuscripts Editors must go through the independent contractor process, which can take 6–8 weeks for approval. Work cannot begin prior to approval.
    Translation fees for a published book Translators must go through the independent contractor process, which can take 6–8 weeks for approval (if translation is through a company, the company must be a registered USC vendor). Work cannot begin prior to approval or vendor registration.
    Purchase of published books Reimbursement or prepaid purchase.
    Attending a conference as a discussant or a moderator and/or organizing a panel at a conference in collaboration with POIR PhD students. The process is the same as planning for research travel.

     

    EXCEPTIONAL FUNDING REQUESTS

    Faculty (T/TT)* seeking funding above $5,000 and up to $10,000 must meet additional criteria:

    • Demonstrate an exceptional record of publication from highly ranked journals (ranked in the top 25) and frequent publication in other reputable journals in the last 3 years.
    • Co-publications with POIR PhD students in any journal in the last 5 years.
    • Having published a book in the past 5 years with university presses such as Cornell, Oxford, Cambridge, and Princeton would further distinguish the applicant.
    • Active participation in CIS is required, including meeting at least one of the following criteria over the past year:
      • At least 80% attendance in either the IR or CP workshop series.
      • Presentation of a paper at an IR or CP workshop.
      • Moderator of the IR & CP workshop series for a semester or academic year.
    Junior faculty (T/TT) seeking exceptional funding are not expected to meet the above criteria prior to applying for funding; instead, they are encouraged to outline possible publishing outlets for their CIS-funded research.

     

    RTPC faculty seeking exceptional funding:

    Similarly, RTPC faculty seeking research funding above $3,000 and up to $5,000 must demonstrate a strong publication track record over the past 3 years and active participation in CIS.

    Note: There are separate application procedures for hosting conferences, conducting manuscript review workshops, and seeking research assistance from graduate students or undergraduates.

     

    POLICIES

    • Please note that any changes to the scope of an approved proposal must be resubmitted to CIS for review.
    • There will be no rollovers of unused balances from one academic year into the next. For example, if the total expense from research travel or a survey falls below the awarded amount after a trip or project, the balance on an award does not roll over. Faculty must apply again during a new award cycle.
    • Faculty seeking funding for travel or purchases needed in summer 2026 (June, July, August) must request an exception to the traditional funding deadlines at the time of their application.
    • Research awards cannot be used to supplement expenses from other CIS funding awards such as conferences, manuscript book reviews, etc.
    • No funding will be allocated for:
      • Method and language training (Please contact the POIR office)
      • Hardware and computer equipment
      • Conference attendance without one’s name appearing on the program.
    • Awards are issued through travel reimbursements, purchases, vendor contracts, payroll set-up, etc. and must follow USC policies and procedures. CIS is not responsible for issuing funding–even if stated on an award letter–if expenditures do not meet USC’s policies. (CIS will work with faculty to make sure award requests meet USC business policies and faculty can reach out to CIS staff prior to applying with questions.)
    • It is the faculty’s responsibility to reach out to CIS staff well in advance of the project start date to discuss a timeline and provide enough lead time for business processes.

     

    PROCESS

    Please 1) complete the online Faculty Research Funding form and 2) upload a budget and any corresponding documentation.

    DEADLINES

    • Aug. 2, 2024: Funding application period for 2024–25 opens.
    • Sep. 9, 2024: Priority deadline for those seeking support for projects beginning in fall 2024; or for applicants seeking to onboard students for the fall semester. Applications submitted after Sept. 9 will receive full consideration but without any guarantee we can meet any time-sensitive demands of your project.
    • Feb. 1, 2025: Last day to apply for 2024–25 research funding.
    • May 15, 2025: All funds must be used, including survey purchases.
    • June 1, 2025: Last date to process receipts in Concur and Workday for funds awarded for travel/vendor payments/purchases/independent contractors (unless plans for expenditure during June–July–August were requested in application).
    • Aug. 15, 2025: For those receiving an extension, all funds must be used, including survey purchases.
    • Aug. 15, 2025: Impact reports due.

    CONTACT

    Email: lascis@usc.edu with any questions.

    The Center for International Studies is committed to ensuring equity in its mission to support scholarship in international studies.