Research News

Faculty encouraged to submit Discovery and Research Scholar grant proposals

The Office of the Provost invites faculty to submit proposals for the next round of Discovery Grants and Research Scholar Grants.

Discovery Grants

  • These grants serve as a catalyst to significant external funding sources, supporting new ideas, cutting-edge research and the development of infrastructure.
  • Faculty may apply for a Discovery Grants award beginning Dec. 11.
  • All full-time, VU-employed (provost-reporting) faculty are eligible to apply.
  • Proposals that advance research in areas related to race, diversity and inclusivity are invited.
  • Faculty must submit an application online through InfoReady Review, Vanderbilt’s official submission portal.
  • The deadline to submit a Discovery Grant application is Jan. 29, 2018.
  • For more information about the program, including eligibility standards, proposals requirements, funding guidelines and previous grantees, visit the program website.

Research Scholar Grants

  • These grants provide funding for innovative scholarship and creative expression projects.
  • Faculty may apply for a Research Scholar Grants award beginning Dec. 11.
  • All full-time, VU-employed (provost-reporting) faculty are eligible to apply.
  • Proposals that advance research in areas related to race, diversity and inclusivity are invited.
  • Faculty must submit an application online through InfoReady Review, Vanderbilt’s official submission portal.
  • The deadline to submit a Research Scholar Grant application in Feb. 12, 2018.
  • For more information about the program, including eligibility standards, proposals requirements, funding guidelines and previous grantees, visit the program website.

The Discovery Grants program has awarded more than $16.5 million to Vanderbilt researchers since its inception in 1998. Last year, 13 Discovery Grants projects were funded, including Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Robert Webster’s needle robots for lung cancer interventions; Associate Professor of Physics and Astronomy Kelly Holley-Bockelmann’s research into gravitational wave astronomy; and Professor of Psychology and Human Development Amy Needham’s research into how infants and toddlers with Down syndrome use objects in learning.

(Vanderbilt University)

More than $5 million has been awarded to Vanderbilt researchers under the Research Scholar Grants program since its launch in 2000. Last year, 19 Research Scholar Grants projects received funding, including Assistant Professor of Medicine, Health and Society Tara McKay’s research of LGBT rights and health in Mozambique (Faculty Development Grant); Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Anand Taneja’s study of the infrastructure, ecology and religious landscapes of Delhi (Research Scholar Fellowship); and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Sociology Holly McCammon’s research of U.S. women’s legal activism in the judicial arena (Summer Stipend).

(Vanderbilt University)

Learn more about what faculty are doing with their Discovery Grants and Research Scholar Grants by reading VU BreakThru, a blog site that provides faculty and students associated with these awards a platform to communicate project details, research breakthroughs and much more.

Questions about either program may be directed to Schyler Turrin (615-875-1027; occi@vanderbilt.edu).

Apply for a grant on InfoReady Review >>