Program to Enhance Research and Scholarship

Program to Enhance Research and Scholarship (PERS) will consider proposals from regular Emory College of Arts and Sciences faculty for modest seed funding for new research, research travel, other research-related activities, and matches for equipment grants. A limited amount of funding is also available to presenters at international and national research conferences when the conference presentation will definitely seed new research and in those areas where such funding is not available through external grants.

For matching fund amounts exceeding $20,000, please contact the Senior Associate Dean for Research, Anita H. Corbett. The application process takes place twice a year for the academic cycle. The application process is launched during Fall and Spring terms, and if selected, funds will be distributed in that term. Proposals must demonstrate, where appropriate, efforts to seek other sources of funding, and will be evaluated on the basis of merit and need.  Endorsement from department chair or director will be required. 

PERS is meant to mitigate the one-off requests for small amounts of critical research support made to ORFS or directly to the Dean, and to create a fairer system by which to provide necessary support. PERS funding is not intended to support salary during leaves or sabbaticals or travel that does not directly support research.

Criteria for Awards Include:

1. Details of Your Appointment: Include your title, department, and other relevant details about your faculty position. Applicants must be full-time faculty members at Emory University. Visiting professors are not eligible for this funding.
2. Project Summary: Provide a clear, 2-3 sentence summary of your project that is understandable to a non-expert audience. Highlight the scope, impact of your scholarly work, and provide a concise plan for the proposed research, including how you intend to secure external research funding. For bridge funding requests, a detailed plan for submitting a revised or new grant application is especially critical.
3. Impact of Proposed Research: Explain the potential impact of your research on your field and beyond, and how it aligns with Emory’s research goals.
4. Availability of Other Funding: Demonstrate the lack of availability of other funding sources. Applicants with substantial research accounts will be required to spend those funds down significantly before being eligible for PERS funding.
5. External Funding Potential: Highlight the likelihood that your research will generate further externally-funded research. If external funding is available in your field, provide a history of grant applications and a plan for future grant submissions.
6. Budget Justification: Provide a transparent and justified budget for the funding requested.
7. Lecture-Track Faculty: If you are a lecture-track faculty member, explain the connection between your proposed research and your pedagogy.
8. Endorsement from Chair/Director: All applicants must include a formal endorsement from their department Chair or Director, verifying their eligibility and the importance of the proposed research.
9. Attachments: Submit any relevant attachments in PDF format, as outlined in the PERS guidelines provided to department Chairs via email.
10. Previous PERS Funding: If you have previously received PERS funding, include a brief description of the funding, the year it was awarded, and the outcomes of the project.
11. PERS Survey Requirement: Previous PERS awardees from FY 2023-2024 must have completed the PERS survey before submitting a new application.

The selection committee draws faculty from the Humanities, Natural Science and Social Science divisions of ECAS.

Successful PERS applicants should be aware that over the next two years any future PERS applications will be given a lower priority, though of course critically important funding needs will be considered. Previously successful PERS applicants should also account for the use of previous PERS funding in subsequent applications.