Office of the Provost
Office of the Provost
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Call for Proposals: DC-Doha Collaborative Research Grant Program

The Office of the Provost and the Dean of Georgetown University in Qatar are pleased to announce the launch of a new, innovative program that seeks to support joint research by Main Campus faculty in Washington, D.C., and in Doha, Qatar. This program is meant to deepen intellectual ties across the community and to foster new scholarly and pedagogical initiatives that draw on the distinct strengths, perspectives, and contexts of faculty in both DC and Doha. Specifically, it aims to:

  • Generate sustained research collaboration between DC- and Doha-based faculty.
  • Promote interdisciplinary and intercultural scholarship.
  • Support projects with clear potential for future external funding.
  • Encourage projects that positively impact students, including through curricular innovation and student research engagement.
  • Contribute to Georgetown’s global visibility.

The DC-Doha Collaborative Research Grant Program is a competitive internal funding opportunity that is supported by Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q). Interim Provost Soyica Colbert and GU-Q Dean Safwan Masri invite applications to be jointly submitted by faculty from both DC and Doha. 

Eligibility

Proposals must be submitted by joint faculty teams that include:

Additional eligibility guidelines:

  • Full-time faculty at all ranks are encouraged to apply.
  • Individual faculty may participate in no more than one proposal per cycle.

Funding Categories

The DC-Doha Collaborative Research Grant Program supports the following categories of funding. 

Proposals should clearly identify one category and tailor the project scope, budget, and outcomes accordingly. While applicants may request funding up to the stated limits, the review committee may adjust final award amounts, where appropriate, to better align with project scope, allowability, and available resources.

1. Research Project Support (up to $35,000 for a one-year project, or $50,000 for a two-year project)

Supports well-defined research or scholarly projects undertaken jointly by Washington, D.C., and GU-Q faculty. Project duration can be up to two years, with up to $35,000 in funding for a one-year project, or a total of $50,000 for a two-year project.

Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • Data collection, fieldwork, or archival research.
  • Creative or practice-based research.
  • Research assistance or student involvement directly tied to the project.

Projects in this category should articulate clear research questions or objectives, a feasible work plan, and expected scholarly outcomes (e.g., publications, performances, exhibitions, or external grant submissions).

2. Academic Conference Support (up to $35,000)

Supports conferences, workshops, symposia, or other scholarly convenings organized jointly by faculty in DC and Doha.

Eligible activities may include:

  • In-person scholarly events.
  • Speaker travel and honoraria. 
  • Logistical and organizational costs.

Proposals should demonstrate how the event advances scholarly exchange, enhances Georgetown’s intellectual profile, and meaningfully integrates participation across campuses. Preference will be given to events that generate durable outcomes, such as publications, edited volumes, ongoing research collaborations, or follow-on funding applications.

3. Planning Grants (up to $15,000)

Supports early-stage collaboration and project development for faculty from DC and Doha.

Eligible uses include:

  • Preliminary research or exploratory work.
  • Pilot studies or proof-of-concept research.
  • Planning meetings or workshops.
  • Development of competitive external grant proposals.
  • Establishing new cross-campus research partnerships.

Planning Grants are intended to catalyze future work and should clearly identify the next stage of development (e.g., submission of an external grant proposal, expansion into a larger research project, planning for proposal submission in future grant cycles, etc.).

4. Curriculum Development (up to $15,000)

Supports collaborative curricular initiatives that integrate research and teaching across locations.

Eligible activities may include:

  • Development of new courses or course modules.
  • Experiential or research-based learning opportunities.
  • Research and/or teaching assistance.
  • Travel support.
  • Purchase of course-related material.

Proposals should describe how the curricular project enhances student learning, fosters cross-campus engagement, and has the potential for sustained impact beyond the grant period.

General Notes

  • Budgets should be proportional to scope and clearly justified.
  • Projects should be designed to be completed within the stated project period.
  • Applicants are encouraged to articulate how the proposed work positions the team for future external funding or longer-term collaboration.

Allowable Use of Funds

In alignment with university policy, funds may be used for:

  • Research travel and fieldwork.
  • Data collection, transcription, or archival access.
  • Research assistants or student support. 
  • Supplies or materials directly related to the project.
  • Conference or workshop expenses directly tied to program goals.

Review Criteria

Proposals meeting eligibility requirements will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

1. Quality

Applicants should describe, in broadly accessible language, the intellectual or creative contribution of the project and its significance to the relevant field(s). Proposals should clearly articulate how the collaboration strengthens the work and positions the team for future scholarly output or external funding.

2. Feasibility

Applicants should present a clear and realistic plan for executing the project, including methodology, timeline, and use of funds. Proposals that rely on additional resources should identify relevant funding sources, whether secured or pending.

3. Credentials

Applicants should explain how their prior work—or, in the case of junior faculty, demonstrated promise—supports the likelihood of successful completion of the proposed project.

Application Materials

Submissions will be evaluated by a committee of full-time DC and Doha faculty members. The committee will make its recommendations to the Provost and the GU-Q Dean, who, in turn, will make final funding decisions.

Please upload your submission in a single PDF format using this form. Ensure that your proposal addresses each of the components below and conforms to the budget guidelines. Submissions are due no later than March 31, 2026.

For questions about the program and application procedures, please contact Valbona Zenku, Associate Director of Research Compliance at GU-Q, or Lauren D’Amico, Administrative Project Coordinator, Office of the Provost. Applications must include the following materials:

1. Project Narrative (maximum: 1,000 words)

The narrative should address the review criteria above and include:

  • The nature and significance of the proposed research or scholarly activity.
  • Central research questions or hypotheses.
  • Sites, methodology, data sources, collaborations, and other key inputs.
  • Project timeline.
  • Expected outcomes (e.g., publications, performances, grant submissions, curricular materials, seminars).

2. Project Budget

See here for guidelines for preparing the detailed budget request. All expenses must be in accordance with Georgetown University and Qatar Foundation requirements. For questions about budget preparation, consult Valbona Zenku, Associate Director for Research Compliance at GU-Q. 

3. Curriculum Vitae

A current CV for each participating faculty member (3-page maximum per person).

Timeline and Reporting

  • Application deadline:  March 31, 2026 
  • Award notification:  April 30, 2026
  • Project period: Approved funding becomes available on June 1, 2026. Project start and end dates may vary depending on scope, goals, and timeline. The anticipated project end date and dates of expected outcomes should be clearly specified in the project narrative.

Award recipients will be required to submit a brief final report outlining outcomes, expenditures, and future plans, including any external funding pursued as a result of the project. Faculty members who do not submit a final report as required will be ineligible for future internal GU grants. Furthermore, faculty who have received other internal GU grants without having submitted required deliverables will be ineligible for the DC-Doha collaborative grants. Successful applicants may also be called upon to make presentations to potential future applicants and to other university constituents. Published outcomes and publicity for funded activities must acknowledge the support of the DC-Doha Collaborative Research Grant Program and Qatar Foundation.