2025-2026 AWARD CYCLE

GRADUATE RESEARCH CLUSTER GRANT 

FRI: Feminist Research Institute Graduate Research Cluster Grants are intended to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration and inquiry among graduate students through cross-departmental reading, screening, and/or discussion working groups, public humanities programming, and other activities. Research clusters may organize activities that draw on local intellectual and cultural resources, including faculty and community leaders, and may invite speakers from beyond our campus and immediate geographical area to give talks remotely via Zoom. Research clusters may use a portion of their funds to organize a specific activity in coordination with the Feminist Research Institute (FRI) or other campus programming, such as a significant faculty-led conference at the University of New Mexico. Still, clusters are not intended to support visiting speakers on FRI resources alone. The FRI will provide a web presence for each research cluster, an archive for significant activities and documents generated by the group, publicity for events, and scheduling/logistical support. Research clusters must have at least four graduate students; applications with participants representing multiple departments are highly encouraged.

DEADLINE: MARCH 1, 2025

 APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

 1. CLUSTER ABSTRACT:

• 250-word summary accessible to a general reader. If awarded, we will use this description on our website and on social media.

2. PROJECT NARRATIVE

•  In no more than two (2) pages, please include the following:
  • GOALS & OBJECTIVES: What does the research cluster hope to achieve? How does it contribute to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in feminist research? 
  • ACTIVITIES: Include proposed activities and an estimated timeline.  
  • PROGRAM MEMBERSHIP/ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Include a list of graduate students who have agreed to be part of the research cluster and the potential for sufficient attendance at proposed events/activities.  
  • FUTURE RESEARCH PLANS: Explain how this funding would contribute to future research agendas or strengthen UNM’s collective knowledge/capacity in a particular area. 

3.  BUDGET JUSTIFICATION:

• In no more than two (2) pages, describe your project’s budget  
  • Outline budget expenses, including their justification.
  • Please list any other funding sources (and amounts) you are receiving or applying for this project.  

4. CURRICULUM VITAE :

• A maximum 2-page CV for each cluster member is required.  

SELECTION CRITERIA

Reviewers will score the applications based on EACH of these five criteria: 

1. QUALITY and significance of the scholarly or creative activity proposed. 
2. CENTRALITY of research on women, gender, and/or sexuality. 
3. VALUE of the project to the career development of students (in terms of scholarly, training, or obtaining further external funding) and faculty. 
4. INCLUSION of an intersectional approach (including appropriate attention to race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, culture, social class, nationality, religion, disability, or other social differences). 
5. IMPACT of the project to further knowledge about historical and contemporary issues, topics, or phenomena within New Mexico and the greater Southwest region.  

Answering the following questions will strengthen your proposal and reflect the fact that our evaluation criteria may differ from those of other funders: 

1. Why should FRI fund this project? How does your project fit FRI's goal of funding intersectional feminist research? 
2. Why is your project necessary for the field of feminist, gender, queer, or transgender studies? What impact will it have?  
3. How will your work contribute to the study of women, gender, or sexuality at UNM?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• The FRI Board and previous FRI awardees will complete reviews. The review panel will provide feedback to all applicants. 
• Human Subjects Review: Compliance with all appropriate regulations governing the conduct of research will be required. Research proposals involving human subjects will be subject to project review and approval by the relevant IRB. It is the applicant's responsibility to obtain IRB approval promptly so that research is not delayed.  For the application's purposes, you do not need IRB approval before submitting it for consideration. 

POST-AWARD EXPECTATIONS

• Acknowledge FRI support in presentations and publications resulting from the funded project. 
• Inform FRI of resulting funding, presentations, and publications for publicity purposes. 
• Provide the FRI Director with a written progress report one year from the award date and a final grant report at the project's end.  
• Funds must be spent by June 30, 2025.  

QUESTIONS? 

For more information, please contact:

Director, Dr. Francisco J. Galarte at galarte@unm.edu or femresin@unm.edu. 

⇒APPLY ONLINE⇐