Interdisciplinary Initiatives Grant Program

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The Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Information and Media Studies (FIMS), and the Don Wright Faculty of Music invite applications to the Interdisciplinary Initiative Grants Program, a joint funding program established by the Deans of the three Faculties to foster new connections across research, research-creation, teaching, and community-engaged activities. Each Faculty brings distinctive but complementary expertise and approaches to cultural, technological, artistic, informational, and societal questions. The program creates opportunities for colleagues to bring these perspectives together, build new cross-Faculty relationships, and develop interdisciplinary ideas that may not readily emerge within a single discipline, department, centre, or institute.

The Interdisciplinary Initiative Grants support both the formation of new collaborations and the development of promising ideas into more substantial projects. Projects may involve research, research-creation, curricular innovation, or community and external partnerships.

Two funding streams are available:

Collaborative Incubator Grants ($500–$1,500): Support planning meetings, workshops, and co-creation sessions to develop a shared project idea and identify next steps.
Pilot Project Seed Grants (up to $15,000): Support preliminary research, research-creation, proof-of-concept work, curricular development, partnership development, and research-integrated experiential learning.

Eligibility: Teams must include at least two research-eligible faculty members from two of the three participating faculties. Priority will be given to first-time collaborations and existing teams pursuing a substantially new interdisciplinary direction. Teams may apply directly for a Pilot Project Seed Grant without first receiving an Incubator Grant.

Applications open October 13, 2026. Incubator applications received by November 30, 2026 will be included in the initial adjudication round, followed by rolling review while funds remain available. The first Pilot competition closes November 30, 2026; a second round, subject to available funding, closes March 31, 2027.

PROGRAM GUIDELINES APPLICATION FORM

Questions: Arts and Humanities applicants may contact Jessica Schagerl at fahresearch@uwo.ca. FIMS and Music applicants may contact Chantal Lemire at clemire2@uwo.ca.