Research Awards & Grants

The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts proudly offers over 15 internal grants and awards exclusively for BCLA faculty. We are committed to supporting faculty who embrace the rich intersections of disciplinary and interdisciplinary learning, engage in high-impact practices, and foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in their classrooms. Our grants and awards are designed to recognize and support your original research, creative endeavors, and efforts to enhance curriculum.

We invite you to explore the opportunities available and review the details below for an overview of grants, eligibility criteria, and application instructions.

Scholarship Grants & Awards

The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts administers five internal grants: the BCLA College Course Remission, the Daum Professorship for full professors, the Daum mid-career for associate professors, and two Research-funding Grants. Grants are given in support of original research, creative work, and curricular enhancement. Please read below for grant overview, eligibility and application instructions.

  • Due Date: November 1, 2024

    Overview

    The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts invites proposals for the 2025 BCLA College Course Remission. We will award up to four course remissions in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 to support faculty research. Awardees will each receive one course remission and can choose which semester to receive the award. 

    Goals of Award

    The purpose of the award is to provide a reduction in teaching so that faculty have the time and opportunity to complete or make substantial progress on a project that will help to advance their scholarly career. 

    Eligibility and Conditions

    This award is reserved for Assistant and Associate Professors. A faculty member is eligible to receive a course remission once every five (5) years. All eligible Assistant and Associate Professors must notify their Department Chair when they apply so that chairs are alerted to the possible impact on the spring schedule. Faculty Members with an existing or anticipated course remission may not apply.

    Application Instructions

    The application includes 3 parts: 1) Faculty Information, 2) CV (must include all publications and grants received), 3) Project Narrative. The project narrative should be no more than three (3) single-spaced pages with 11-point font or higher. The narrative should speak to a general scholarly audience and address the following five items (please use headings for clarity):

    • Description of Project;
    • Central Research Question;
    • Research Methodology;
    • Significance and Contribution to the Field of study/existing field of literature(s); and
    • Timeline of work and anticipated outcome over the duration of the semester where the course release is taken.   

    4) The online application requires that applicants confer with the department chair prior to submitting your application so that there is no disruption to course scheduling. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered.            

     Evaluation Criteria

    Applications are reviewed by the BCLA Faculty Development Committee, composed of faculty in the Humanities, Interdisciplinary Departments, and the Social Sciences. The committee members evaluate applications according to the following criteria:  

    • Clarity and thoroughness of the proposal.
    • Anticipated contributions to scholarly field(s) and existing scholarship Well-developed research question and methodology.
    • Feasibility of work plan/timeline and anticipated outcomes.

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday November 1, 2024. Awardees will be notified by Friday, December 13, 2024. 

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Apply Here

  • Due Date: January 17, 2025

    Overview

    The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts invites proposals for the 2025 BCLA Faculty Research Grant.  In 2025, we will have a minimum of twelve $7,500 awards. 

    Goals of Award

    The purpose of the award is to support scholarly and creative works undertaken by the BCLA faculty.
     
    Eligibility and Conditions

    All BCLA tenure-line faculty who have not received either the BCLA Faculty Research Grant or the BCLA Faculty Research Account in the prior year are eligible to apply. Faculty members may only accept the Remission Award, the Research Expense Account, or the Summer Writing and Research Grant in any given year. When choosing between proposals of equal quality, the committee will preference those who have not received previous funding and/or those that have successfully used funding to complete a research project.


    Disbursement of Funds
    The BCLA Faculty Research Grant can be disbursed in any of the following five options:

    • $ 7,500 stipend paid over the summer
    • $ 5,000 stipend paid over the summer and $ 2,500 in an expense account
    • Split evenly, $ 3,750 as a stipend and $ 3,750 in an expense account
    • $ 5,000 in an expense account and $ 2,500 as a stipend
    • $7,500 put in an expense account

    Grant portions taken as a stipend are disbursed through payroll and considered taxable income. Stipends will be paid on two pay periods – June 1 and July 1.  Grant portions taken as expense accounts will be put in faculty research accounts and will be available for three years.   Expense account funds can be used to support any reasonable research expense consistent with university policy (e.g., research/conference travel, hosting colleagues, hiring a student, buying equipment or data sets, etc.).
     
    Application Instructions

    The application includes 4 parts: 1) Faculty Information, 2) CV (must include all publications and grants received), 3) Funding Preference, and 4) Project Narrative. The project narrative should be no more than three (3) single-spaced pages with 11-point font or higher. The narrative should speak to a general scholarly audience and address the following five items (please use subheadings for clarity): 

    • Description of Project;
    • Central Research Question;
    • Research Methodology;
    • Significance and Contribution to the Field of study/existing field of literature(s); and
    • Timeline of work and anticipated outcome over the duration of the semester where the course release is taken.   

    Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered.

    Evaluation Criteria

    Applications are reviewed by the BCLA Faculty Development Committee, composed of faculty in the Humanities, Interdisciplinary Departments, and the Social Sciences. The committee members evaluate applications according to the following criteria:  

    • Clarity and thoroughness of the proposal.
    • Anticipated contributions to scholarly field(s) and existing scholarship Well-developed research question and methodology.
    • Feasibility of work plan/timeline and anticipated outcomes.  

    Deadline: The deadline is Friday January 17, 2025. Awardees will be announced by April 15, 2025. Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Apply Here

  • Due Date: January 17, 2025. 

    Overview

    The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts invites proposals for the 2025 BCLA Faculty Research Expense Accounts. These expense accounts are given to support faculty research-related expenses. This year we have six of these grants. Awards are made in the amount of $2,500

    Goals of Award

    The purpose of the award is to support the research, teaching and professional development of BCLA faculty members. 

    Eligibility and Conditions

    All BCLA tenure-line faculty who have not received either the BCLA Faculty Research and Writing Grant or the BCLA Faculty Research Account in the prior year are eligible to apply. When choosing between proposals of equal quality, the committee will preference those who have not received previous funding and/or those that have successfully used funding to complete a research project.

    Disbursement of Funds

    Once the grant is awarded funding will be available beginning June 1.  Funding is deposited in full in a research expense account linked to the faculty member’s name, with reimbursement of up to $2500. Funds will sit in the research account for up to three years.  The cost center for the faculty member will be the academic department of the faculty member. Expense account funds can be used to support any reasonable research expense consistent with university policy (e.g., research/conference travel, hosting colleagues, hiring a student, buying equipment or data sets, etc.).

    Application Instructions

    The application includes 3 parts: 1) Faculty Information; 2) CV (must include all publications and grants received); 3) Funding Request. The funding request should be no more than two single-spaced pages with 11-point font or higher. The request must have two sections:

    • Plans for how the awarded funds will be used, and;
    • Description of what research, creative work or teaching related goal awarding these funds will help the faculty member achieve.

    Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered.                                   

    Evaluation Criteria

    Applications are reviewed by the BCLA Faculty Development Committee, composed of faculty in the Humanities, Interdisciplinary Departments, and the Social Sciences. Please keep this audience in mind, and make sure the funding request is legible to a general academic audience. The committee members evaluate applications according to the following criteria:

    • Clarity and thoroughness of the funding request and the likelihood that the awarded funds would lead to an eventual publication. 

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday January 17, 2025. Awardees will be announced at the April College Assembly.

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Apply Here

  • Due Date: February 28, 2025

    Overview

    Created from a legacy received from Harry M. Daum, Class of 1938, the Daum Professorship is given annually to a tenured full professor in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts who has a distinguished and sustained record of excellence in teaching and advising, scholarship or creative work, service and leadership to the department, college and university. Nominees must demonstrate consistent excellence in all areas of faculty responsibility commensurate with rank.

    Goals of Award

    The Daum Professorship carries two course remissions to be used in the forthcoming academic year. Additionally, a research expense account of $10,000 is awarded that will be available for three years beginning June 1.  Expense account funds can be used to support any reasonable research expense consistent with university policy (e.g., research/conference travel, hosting colleagues, hiring a student, buying equipment or data sets, etc.).

    Faculty may also choose to accept some or all of the $10,000 research stipend to be paid across the year.  Faculty will consult with the Dean’s office to determine options for dispersal.

    Conditions and Expectations

    Please note: This is not a sabbatical, but a reassignment of teaching duties to research/creative activities and outcomes. Department, college, and university service responsibilities and continued engagement in the life of the university are expected.

    The Daum Professor also will be the featured speaker at the annual Dean’s List event for first- and second-year students, giving a brief set of remarks on the liberal arts, the life of the mind, their academic journey, or similar talk

    Application Instructions

    The application requires: 1) A current CV; 2) a cover letter of no more than three page highlighting exemplary teaching, research and service; 3) the online application requires that applicants confer with the department chair prior to submitting your application so that there is no disruption to course scheduling.     

    Applications can rollover for two consecutive years and can be updated. Please contact AD Eliza Rodriguez if you would like to roll over and/or update a previous year’s application.  

    Evaluation Criteria

    Awards will go to a faculty member whose record exhibits the following:      

    • Demonstrated ability to inspire students in intellectual and creative thinking, use of innovative or creative pedagogy, or other evidence of notable teaching excellence;     
    • Record of scholarly or creative work that contribute to BCLA students and the faculty’s academic or creative field, and otherwise exemplifies the ideals of the Teacher-Scholar Model;
    • Appropriate to tenure and rank, a record of consequential leadership and/or mentoring, sustained and meaningful service, and/or other significant contributions to academic program(s) and policy development in BCLA. 

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday February 28, 2025. The Faculty Awards Committee will recommend to Dean, who will notify all applicants, usually before the final College Assembly of the academic year.  Applicant must send a Letter of Acceptance of Award to the Dean, copying the department chair, within one week of receiving the award.  

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Apply Here

  • Due Date: February 28, 2025

    Overview

    Created from a legacy received from Harry M. Daum, Class of 1938, the Daum Mid-Career Faculty Research Award was inaugurated in 2017 to be given annually to a tenured associate professor in the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts who has exhibited a record of excellence in teaching and advising, scholarship and/or creative work, and service to the department, college and university. Nominees should demonstrate consistent excellence in all areas of faculty responsibility commensurate with rank.

    Goals of Award

    The Daum Mid-Career Faculty Research Award carries two course remissions to be used in the forthcoming academic year, typically taken in the same semester, in order to support the recipient in their professional development. Additionally, a research expense account of $5000 is awarded that will be available for three years beginning June 1.  Expense account funds can be used to support any reasonable research expense consistent with university policy (e.g., research/conference travel, hosting colleagues, hiring a student, buying equipment or data sets, etc.).

    Faculty may also choose to accept some or all of the $5,000 research stipend to be paid across the year.  Faculty will consult with the Dean’s office to determine options for dispersal.

    Conditions and Expectations

    Please note: this is not a sabbatical, but a reassignment of teaching duties to research/creative activities and outcomes. Department, college, and university service responsibilities and continued engagement in the life of the university are expected.

    The founding purpose of this award was to support tenured associate professors as they navigate the particular challenges of mid-career and as they work toward promotion to full rank. Therefore, associate professors under consideration for promotion are not eligible to apply.

    Application Instructions

    The application requires: 1) A current CV; 2) a cover letter of no more than three pages highlighting exemplary teaching, research and service and explaining how receiving the Daum Mid-Career Research Awards would assist the candidates progress towards promotion; 3) The application requires that applicants confer with the department chair prior to submitting your application so that there is no disruption to course scheduling.           

    Applications can rollover for two consecutive years and can be updated. Please contact AD Eliza Rodriguez if you would like to roll over and/or update a previous year’s application.  

    Evaluation Criteria

    Awards will go to a faculty member whose record exhibits the following:                                       

    • Demonstrated ability to inspire students in intellectual and creative thinking, use of innovative or creative pedagogy, or other evidence of notable teaching excellence;         
    • Record of scholarly or creative work that contribute to BCLA students and the faculty’s academic or creative field, and otherwise exemplifies the ideals of the Teacher-Scholar Model;
    • Appropriate to tenure and rank, a record of consequential leadership and/or mentoring, sustained and meaningful service, and/or other significant contributions to academic program(s) and policy development in BCLA. 

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday February 28, 2025. The Faculty Awards Committee will recommend to Dean, who will notify all applicants, usually before the final College Assembly of the academic year. Applicant must send a Letter of Acceptance of Award to the Dean, copying the department chair, within one week of receiving the award.

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Apply Here

Faculty & Staff Recognition Awards

The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts offers five annual faculty awards: the Excellence in Teaching Award, the Excellence in DEIA Award, the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, the Outstanding Staff Award, and the Popiden Distinguished Faculty Service Award. As a liberal arts college, we recognize Faculty who engage the intersections of disciplinary & interdisciplinary learning, value high impact practices, engaged learning, and the power of diversity, equity and inclusion in our classrooms. Awards are given on an annual basis to eligible faculty members. Please read below for award overview, eligibility and application/ nomination instructions.

  • Due Date: December 6, 2025

    Overview

    Teaching as transformation sits at the heart of the liberal arts and Jesuit education. BCLA honors the work of its faculty in the classroom and in related co-curriculum learning. As a liberal arts College, we elevate teaching that engages the intersections of disciplinary & interdisciplinary learning, values high impact practices, engaged learning, and recognizes the power of diversity, equity in practice. The BCLA Dean’s office is pleased to announce the annual BCLA Excellence in Teaching Award. One awardee will receive $5,000
     
    Eligibility and Conditions of Award   

    All full-time faculty members of LMU are eligible for the BCLA Excellence in Teaching Award. Faculty may nominate their colleagues or themselves.    

    Required Application Materials  

    (1) A letter from the nominee or nominator, which addresses the nominee’s teaching philosophy, how they meet the award criteria, and how the submitted materials provide insight into teaching excellence (not to exceed three pages). (2)  Candidate’s curriculum vitae. (3) 250-word statement summary and reflection of data from student evaluations of teaching from at least the last four semesters (not including summer sessions).   

    Optional Additional Application Materials

    (1) One supporting letter from a current or former student . (2) One supporting letter from colleague (e.g., peer teaching observations)   

    Evaluation Criteria   

    The BCLA Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes faculty members whose teaching embodies the transformational power of the Teacher-Scholar. Criteria for selection include:  

    • Ability to empower and inspire students in intellectual, interdisciplinary and creative thinking.
    • Command of their discipline and continuous growth in their field of study that conspicuously impacts teaching.
    • Effective use of inclusive, innovative and/or creative pedagogy.
    • Evidence of the integration of teaching and scholarly engagement resulting in an exemplary teacher-scholar professional profile.  

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday December 6, 2025. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. Awards will be announced once the Faculty Awards Committee makes their decision.

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Nomination Form Here

  • Due Date: December 6, 2025

    Overview

    The BCLA Dean’s invites nominations for the annual BCLA Excellence Award in DEIA. As a liberal arts college, BCLA values teaching, research, and service that emphasizes the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism to a liberal arts education. The College understands DEIA as a form of restorative justice—a redressing of historic and contemporary forms of racialized institutional inequality and exclusion. Growing out of BCLA faculty efforts to integrate DEIA into the work that supports LMU’s Mission, and in response to  the need to transform LMU into an anti-racist institution, the award has three objectives: 1) to make visible the DEIA work that members of the BCLA community do, 2) to acknowledge and reward the value of DEIA work, and 3) to call every member of our community into responsibility for this work.

    The award recognizes a trajectory of excellence in community involvement, professional service, teaching and mentoring, and/or scholarship grounded in intersectional antiracist and justice-driven work otherwise known as DEIA in an institutional context. One awardee will receive $5,000

    Eligibility and Conditions of Award

    All full-time faculty members, regardless of rank or appointment type, are eligible for The BCLA Excellence in DEIA Award. Faculty may nominate their colleagues or themselves.

    Required Application Materials

    (1) A letter from the faculty nominee or nominator outlining their accomplishment in diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism within the LMU community, the College or society at large and indicating how they meet the criteria for selection (not to exceed three single-spaced pages). (2) Candidate’s curriculum vitae. (3) A letter of support from a colleague or other person in a position to comment on the candidate’s contribution to DEIA work on campus, in the profession, and/or within society at large. The letter should clearly address how the nominee has demonstrated achievement in the criteria for the award.

    Evaluation Criteria

    The Faculty Awards Committee will evaluate applications according to the following criteria:

    • Evidence of intersectional and antiracist justice-driven priorities in the applicant’s development of a teacher-scholar professional profile.
    • Evidence of DEIA outcomes in teaching, scholarship, and/or professional service, activism, and/or community involvement.
    • A consistent pattern of engaged and active community involvement, professional service, teaching and mentoring, and/or scholarship that effectively contributes to intersectional antiracist justice. =
    • The work contributes to the common good of the campus, the profession, the community and/or society at large, enhancing the University’s mission and goals.

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday, January 10, 2025. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. Awards will be announced once the Faculty Awards Committee makes their decision.

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Nomination Form Here

  • Due Date: February 28, 2025

    Overview

    The Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award recognizes faculty members who have positively impacted students through academic advising. Each faculty advisor award is for $1,000.  Up to three (3) winners will be selected by the Student Engagement and Success Committee according to the criteria on the scoring rubric. Award recipients will be recognized at the BCLA College Assembly. The award can be taken as a stipend or added to an expense account (for eligible faculty). 

    Eligibility and Conditions of Award

    BCLA faculty of all ranks are eligible. Priority will be given to faculty that have not won in the last two years.

    See Bellarmine College awards website for previous year awardees

    Required Application Materials

    Nominations can come from anyone including faculty, staff, and students. To receive an award, a nominee must be outstanding in the following dimensions:  

    • Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills and Engagement
    • Professional Advising Practices
    • Advisor Knowledge and Documented Development       

    The Student Engagement and Success Committee will review the nominations and make recommendations for the 2024-25 Academic Year. 

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. Awards will be announced once the Faculty Awards Committee makes their decision.

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Nomination Form Here

  • Due Date: February 28, 2025.

    Overview

    The BCLA Outstanding Staff Award has been given annually to recognize a staff member with a well-deserved reputation for sustained excellence and initiative in providing administrative or technical support and service.

    The recipient consistently approaches responsibilities in ways that demonstrate professionalism, timely follow-through and a dedication to the welfare of faculty, students and staff.

    Each award is in the amount of $5,000. Up to two (2) winners will be selected by a committee according to the criteria on the scoring rubric.

    Eligibility and Conditions of Award

    Nominations are accepted from any member of the BCLA Community for any of the staff members whose names are listed below on the roster of eligible staff members.

    Required Application Materials

    In nominating a member of the BCLA Staff, the nominator will be asked to give a score (on a scale from 3 - good, to 5 - outstanding) for each category below, and, in a very BRIEF description, provide examples as evidence of the nominee’s fulfillment of the following criteria for the award:

    • Excellence in service
    • Initiative on the job
    • Professionalism in administrative or technical support
    • Timely follow-through
    • Dedication to the welfare of faculty, students, and staff

    Deadline: Nominations are DUE: Friday, February 28, 2025. Awards will be announced once the Faculty Awards Committee makes their decision. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. 

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Nomination Form Here

  • Due Date: February 28, 2025.

    Overview

    The Popiden award was created in memory of Associate Dean and Professor of Theological Studies John Popiden. 

    This award honors a BCLA full-time tenured faculty member who has given outstanding service to the College, University and the community. Many of our faculty are lauded for their academic scholarship, but rarely are they recognized for their efforts “above and beyond” which yield numerous positive effects and a stronger community. BCLA faculty who contribute their professional talents and expertise to support the mission of the University and the vision of the College can be recognized for their service which includes but is not limited to: excellence in undergraduate or graduate student advising; participating in the recruitment and professional placement of students; serving on university committees and councils; providing the benefits of one’s expertise to community organizations; making public professional appearances or performances; consulting with government agencies, civic or business or education or arts organizations; and serving as an officer or committee member in organizations related to the area of professional expertise. The award includes a certificate and a stipend of $5,000. 

    Eligibility and Conditions of Award

    All tenured faculty members of BCLA are eligible for the Popiden Distinguished Faculty Service Award. Faculty may nominate their colleagues or themselves. Nomination of tenured faculty members by any member of the BCLA community are welcome

    Required Application Materials    

    (1) A cover letter from the nominee or nominator, which focuses on identifying and explaining the impactful nature of the candidate's service (3 pages maximum). Letters may be co-signed by multiple signatories. No need to supply or arrange for multiple letters on the same nominee. Letters may be guided by the committee's evaluation criteria shown below. (2) Candidate's Curriculum Vitae

    Evaluation Criteria

    This award honors a BCLA full-time tenured faculty member who has given outstanding service to the College, University and the community. Criteria for selection include (a scale of 1-5 used by the Faculty Awards Committee):

    • Evidence of outstanding service to the department (membership and leadership on Committees, councils, efforts to serve students, faculty);
    • Evidence of outstanding service to the College (membership and leadership on Committees, councils, efforts to serve students, faculty and the mission of LMU);
    • Evidence of outstanding service to LMU (membership and leadership on Committees, councils, efforts to serve students, faculty and the mission of LMU);
    • Evidence of service which includes but is not limited to: providing the benefits of their expertise to community organizations; making public professional appearances or performances; consulting with government agencies, business industries, education systems, community service or arts or other relevant organizations, etc.;

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday, February 28, 2025. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. Awards will be announced once the Faculty Awards Committee makes their decision.

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Nomination Form Here

DEIA Department & Interdisciplinary Grants

The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts offers two grants and one award for DEIA-focused scholars and departments: the Department Award for DEIA Excellence, the DEIA Curricular Planning, Development & Assessment Grant for Departments, and the DEIA Collaborative Interdisciplinary Development Grant. Grants and awards are given in support of DEIA-forward pedagogy, curricular development, and research efforts. Please read below for grant overview, eligibility and application instructions

  • Due Date: February 28, 2025

    Overview

    The College understands DEIA as a form of restorative justice—a redressing of historic and contemporary forms of racialized institutional inequality and exclusion. We recognize that this work happens primarily in departments, as you implement your curriculum, assess your needs, and attend to the well-being of your faculty and students as the heart of a Jesuit education. Inspired by LMU’s commitment to transform our university into an antiracist institution in our latest Strategic Plan, this award for departments and programs recognizes the need for collective as well as individual recognitions. This award has three objectives: 1) to make visible the integration of DEIA work that departments and programs in the College do as part of their routine work, 2) to acknowledge and reward the value of such integration of DEIA work, and 3) to call every department and program into responsibility for this work.  

    There will be one $2000 award in the form of a budget transfer to the winning Department for the following year. 

    Eligibility and Conditions

    All departments and programs in BCLA are eligible for this award. Any faculty member may nominate their own or another department or program. Department Chairs and Program Directors are encouraged to self-nominate. 

    Required Application Materials

    A letter from the nominator outlining the department’s accomplishments in diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism at an organizational (not individual) level--not to exceed three single-spaced pages. Examples of organizational efforts include but are not limited to efforts involving: curriculum, leadership development, hiring, programming, recruitment and retention of diverse student populations. NO MORE THAN 3 PAGES

    A letter of support from a faculty colleague (ideally the Chair if they did not self-nominate) in the nominated department about the integration of DEIA work into the routine work of the department. This letter should clearly address how the nominee has demonstrated departmental achievement in the criteria for the award. NO MORE THAN 3 PAGES

    Evaluation Criteria

    The BCLA Dean's Office will evaluate applications according to the following criteria (on a scale of 1-5): 1) Evidence of integration of intersectional and antiracist justice-driven priorities in the routine work of the Department; 2) Evidence of Departmental or Program DEIA outcomes in teaching, scholarship, and/or professional service, activism, and/or community involvement, as you might present them in the annual report; 3) A consistent pattern of rewarding and encouraging at the Department or Program level, engaged and active community involvement, professional service, teaching and mentoring, and/or scholarships that effectively contributes to the intersectional antiracist justice; 4) Evidence that the Department's work contributes to the common good of the campus, the profession, the community and/or society at large, enhancing LMU's Mission and goals.  

    Deadline: The final deadline is February 28, 2025. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. 

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Apply Here

  • Due Date: Tuesday October 29, 2024.

    Overview

    The DEIA Curricular Planning, Development & Assessment for Departments is an internal grant program designed to focus efforts on assessing and integrating DEIA within departmental curricula. The College understands DEIA as a form of restorative justice—a redressing of historic and contemporary forms of racialized institutional inequality and exclusion. We recognize that this work happens primarily in departments. Inspired by LMU’s commitment to transform our university into an antiracist institution, this grant for departments and programs recognizes the need for targeted support to advance faculty work in the development of DEIA within the Student Learning Outcomes and curricula of academic programs, along with related pedagogical development and assessment plans. Up to three departmental grants of $2000 are available to be awarded this year.

    Eligibility and Conditions

    All BCLA departments not currently undergoing APR are eligible for this award. This grant may be used in order to prepare for the next APR or as part of following up on a recent APR MOU. Any faculty member may nominate their own or another department.

    Use of Funds

    Possible uses include curricular and/or pedagogical workshops; planning activities (e.g., in a department retreat), purchase of assessment resources (e.g., books, software, etc); development of assessment methods (e.g., rubric, exam, survey, curriculum map), and analysis of assessment data.

    Required Application Materials

    (1) Name(s) of faculty member(s) responsible for the proposed curricular and/or pedagogical development, and/or assessment work. (2) Description of project, (no more than three pages) including: Current curriculum map re: DEIA, Action steps, and Timeline for completion. (3) Fostering a culture of assessment: A brief statement of how the proposed assessment work advanced the program’s assessment plan (beyond APR) (no more than one page), and  Key deliverables including how the success of the proposed project will be determined. (4) A brief statement of support from the Department Chair that indicates how the proposed project will contribute to the ongoing assessment work of the Department, and its development of curriculum that integrates an intersectional, justice-driven framework to support DEIA in the College and University Curriculum.

    Evaluation Criteria

    These grants will be awarded by the Planning Committee, in support of strategic priorities of the College and the University re: DEIA. They will be evaluated by the following criteria: (1) Clarity and thoroughness of proposal. (2) Feasibility of work within timeline. (3) Integration and sustainability of DEIA assessment into overall departmental curricular and/or pedagogical assessment plan

    Deadline: The final deadline is October 29, 2024. Awardees will be notified in November. Work in proposal to begin December 2024, to be completed by Spring/Summer 2025. Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. 

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

  • Due Date: November 8, 2024

    Overview

    This grant supports individual faculty from different departments working together on projects that will support their particular goals, rather than department-based work.The BCLA DEIA Interdisciplinary Development Grant for Faculty Collaboration functions to directly support and sustain the Mission-based commitments to justice and antiracism articulated in LMU’s Strategic Plan, “Creating the World We Want to Live In” and BCLA’s DEI Strategic Plan. The College understands DEIA as a form of restorative justice—a redressing of historic and contemporary forms of racialized institutional inequality and exclusion. As such, the efforts undertaken as individual faculty members depend on collaboration with each other as part of our institutional efforts in this area.

    We invite collaborative interdisciplinary and interdepartmental proposals from faculty members working in different departments who have the goal of developing and sustaining DEIA efforts related to pedagogy, curricular development/revision, and/or research efforts across departments.  

    We will award up to three (3) grants per year, in the amount of $2,000 for each proposal to be administered by each team following the conditions below.  One faculty member will serve as the lead member of the team for logistical purposes (in the proposal, communications, and disbursement of the award).

    Eligibility and Conditions

    BCLA faculty on renewable contracts who hold a contract for full time teaching during the year of the grant may participate on proposal teams: i.e., AY 2023-24. However, the lead member of the team must be assigned full-time teaching in the semester of the presentation to the College (Fall 2024).

    Every team who has their proposal funded will present a written report to the Dean’s office by August 15, 2024.

    Every team who has their proposal funded will give a presentation to the College during Fall 2024.

    Use of Funds

    Possible uses include (but are not limited to) expenses related to: attendance at curricular and/or pedagogical workshops; planning and collaborative activities (including meals/writing and research retreats); support of proposed research goals (materials and travel). Funds may not be used for individual stipends.

    Required Application Materials

    (1) Names of faculty and their home departments. Please indicate the lead faculty member. (2) A Narrative that includes the following five (5) sections. Please use headings for clarity. No more than three (3) pages:

    Description of proposed work: is it pedagogical, curricular, or research driven? Describe your project and its significance to developing, integrating, and/or sustaining DEIA grounded work in the College and at LMU.

    Research, curricular, or pedagogical questions driving the proposal. Describe the central interdisciplinary questions you address and/or seek to answer through your proposal. 

    Work to be completed during grant period. Please describe in concrete terms how this work will be completed, and what your anticipated outcomes will be.

    Budget: Please describe anticipated expenses and amounts (a simple table would suffice).

    Significance. Describe the anticipated contribution of the proposal’s approaches to: DEIA in BCLA; to the participant’s home departments and/or interdisciplinary programs; and/or to the scholarship in your research areas, if this is a research proposal.

    Evaluation Criteria

    The Dean’s office will evaluate and assess proposals according to the following criteria:

    (1) Clarity and thoroughness of the proposal. (2) Anticipated contributions to: a) Scholarly field(s) and existing scholarship, or b) to curricular development across the College, especially as it supports the Core, or c) to pedagogical development with plans to disseminate findings either in publication in the scholarship of teaching and learning, collaboration with the CTE, and/or programming in BCLA. (3) Anticipated contributions to building communities of practice in support of faculty retention, success, impact, and improving BCLA’s culture of inclusive excellence. (4) Demonstration of well-developed and clear goals, assessable and concrete action items that map to those goals, and plan for sharing outcomes. (5) Feasibility of work plan/timeline and anticipated outcomes  

    Deadline: The final deadline is Friday, November 8, 2024. Awardees notified in November. Work in proposal to begin December 2024, to be completed by Spring/Summer 2025. Final presentation to BCLA due Fall 2025.Please note that applications that are late, incomplete, or do not adhere to the stated guidelines will not be considered. 

    Please send questions to Associate Dean Eliza Rodriguez (erodri37@lmu.edu)

    Apply here

Additional BCLA Research Opportunities

As opportunities for additional funding and professional development, the Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts partners with LMU's Global Policy Institute (GPI) and the Thomas & Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles (StudyLA) to offer two grants that support summer research and work. Please read the instruction for eligibility and application instructions.

  • Deadline: March 10, 2025.

    The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts and the Global Policy Institute (GPI) at Loyola Marymount University announce Faculty Research Fellowships for summer 2025. 

    Faculty conducting research addressing emerging concerns of international policy or pressing global issues are invited to apply for research fellowships for summer 2024. This fellowship is intended for projects that go beyond analytical research to promote thinking about effective policy solutions.  Deadline for proposals is Monday, March 10, 2025. Award notifications will be communicated approximately two weeks after the deadline.

    GPI Summer Research Felowships Announcement

    GPI Application Form

  • Date Available: March 2025

    Deadline: April 2025

    The Bellarmine College of Liberal Arts and the Thomas & Dorothy Leavey Center for the Study of Los Angeles (StudyLA) announce Faculty Research Fellowships for summer 2025.

    Faculty conducting research on Los Angeles and who will incorporate data from StudyLA’s numerous surveys on quality of life, race relations, civic engagement, institutions, politics, economics, and various other subject areas or themes are invited to apply for research fellowships for summer 2025. Award notifications will be communicated no later than 14 days after the deadline.

    StudyLA Summer Research Fellowship Announcement

    StudyLA Research Fellowship Coversheet

LMU University Wide Awards

Learn more about our University Awards