Scholarship and Creative Activity (SCA) Grants  

Program Announcement

Application Window: February 1 through March 1

Introduction and Program Goals

The Office of the Vice president for Research announces a new intramural funding program: Scholarship and Creative Activity (SCA) Grants.  The purpose of this program is to make targeted  investments in faculty scholars and artists in order to help raise NAU’s profile in these disciplines nationally and internationally.

Program Objectives

SCA grants are intended to support the work of faculty in areas in which extramural grant funding is generally unavailable (e.g., humanities, arts, business, education).  These grants will provide summer salary or funding for activities occurring during the academic year (e.g., travel, gathering of archive resources, interviewing, creative production activity). 

Eligibility

Tenured and tenure-track faculty may apply for SCA grants.   

Award Info

Faculty can request up to $6,000 under the SCA program.  Awards may not be used for equipment purchases such as a computer, tablet, or other general purpose electronic devices.  Awards may not be used for faculty buyout of teaching.  If the SCA award is used as summer salary, no other work may be carried out during the time of the buyout (at least one month’s time).

A second year of SCA funding may be awarded if the original award generates one of the following three outcomes:

  1. A grant proposal for external funding for at least $30,000 direct costs
  2. A signed book contract with a well-respected publisher  
  3. Documentation of an out-of-state exhibit or creative activity of strong merit.

Application Process

SCA proposals will be accepted between February 5 and March 1. Please create a single PDF document with all of the application materials (see below). Title it “Your last name SCA.pdf” and send it to ovp-research@nau.edu with “Your last name SCA” in the subject line.

The SCA application will include: 

  • A cover page stating your name and title, the title of the proposal, your department and college, your contact information, the total amount of your request, and whether or not you will need IRB approval
  • Abstract (summarizing the elements of the Narrative listed below)
  • Narrative (3 page limit)
  • Budget and Budget Justification
  • Bibliography (using a format that is standard for publishing in the respective field)
  • CV

SCA Application Narrative.  In no more than 3 pages describe: 

  • Contribution:  Provide background on the significance and value of the project to the specific area of scholarship or artistic expression.  What is the value of the project within your scholarly/artistic area and how will bring new ideas into your field?
  • Methods and Work plan: How will you carry out your scholarly/creative endeavor; how will the project be organized?  What is your work plan outlining the time course of the project?  Please describe any technologies that will be used in making the project successful.  Please describe where the work will be conducted, any materials used, and explain how you will obtain access to relevant materials. 
  • Competencies, Skills and Access: Describe how your skills can be applied to the project and explain how this project will broaden your scholarly or creative reputation at NAU. 
  • Final Product and Dissemination: What is your intended result and who is your audience?  Please explain how these results will be disseminated to this audience and beyond (if relevant). 

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the SCA program, please contact Catherine Propper at the Office of the Vice President for Research at ext. 3-1374 or Catherine.Propper@nau.edu.