CHASS “Lightning Rod” Event for 2014

Call For Proposals

Proposals Due December 9, 2013

Decisions made December 13, 2013

CHASS Interdisciplinary Studies and the CHASS Office for Research invite proposals to host a major interdisciplinary scholarly event on behalf of the College in the Spring of 2014. We are calling these activities “lightning rod” events—that is, events that gain a lot of attention on campus and throughout the region. The event will be a signature event in CHASS, and will be the beginning, not the end, of a process designed to promote externally funded and recognized scholarship in the College.

We invite proposals for a speaker, colloquium, or other public event or series of events over a few days that would attract a broad interdisciplinary audience, both within and outside CHASS and even outside NCSU. The topics are wide open, but should speak to CHASS strategic interests and areas of scholarly distinction.

We also invite collaborative efforts with other colleges or universities.

The proposal should include the title of the event, a budget, including costs for refreshments, honoraria and travel for speakers, and any costs associated with the venue. The CHASS portion of the budget will not exceed $20,000.  It should also include a narrative making the case for why the event is important and will attract attention across many disciplines, and will also spark future scholarly activity among CHASS faculty. Include a general agenda of activities to be undertaken, such as a public speaker, smaller symposia, or similar events. Better proposals will specify the speaker or speakers you plan to invite. It would be ideal for the speaker to agree in principle to join your event, pending notification of funding.  The proposal should not exceed five pages, including the budget.

Competitive proposals will be those that plan for an ongoing program of scholarship that is truly interdisciplinary and has a strong likelihood of attracting outside resources. Such proposals will be very similar to the Type 1 SRA proposals solicited at http://www.chass.ncsu.edu/research/documents/CHASS_SRA_2013-2014_call_for_proposals.pdf

The CHASS Research Office will provide support for financial aspects of the event, such as paying bills. The department or departments proposing the event will retain project management responsibilities. Hourly pay for graduate or undergraduate assistants to help plan and manage the event will be an acceptable budget item.

Please submit your proposals, preferably as a PDF document, to Tom Birkland at tabirkla@ncsu.edu or Helga Braunbeck at helga_braunbeck@ncsu.edu by midnight on December 9. The Dean will review the proposals, with advice from Helga and Tom. We look forward to your proposal!