Child Care Assistance (Temporary)

Deadline: October 29, 2021, for the 2021-2022 academic year only

Award Amount: Up to $1,000/month for up to 9 months

Description: The challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic have been particularly straining on parents. With little to no help at home, maintaining productivity is extremely difficult. While some parents are still unable to send their children back to daycare or school, it is still vital to have access to quality child care in order to make progress. Therefore, WiSE will continue to offer a temporary increase in its Child Care Subsidies Program for faculty in the 2021-2022 academic year to offset the costs of hiring additional child care due to inability to send children to school or daycare. Tenure-track faculty (with children at home) with primary appointments in WiSE-eligible departments may apply for up to $1,000 per month for up to 9 months. Priority will be given to junior faculty. Awards will be paid monthly and are subject to taxation. The recipient is responsible for notifying the WiSE Program if/when there are any changes in the need for the award.

Please submit the following required documents:

· A statement requesting support that explains (1) the need for financial support, (2) why childcare outside the home is not a viable option, (3) the requested duration of support, and (when applicable) an explanation for a need for care for children older than the typical cutoff (of 5 years), (4) explanation of why a one year delay on the tenure clock is not sufficient, and why further assistance is needed.

· A plan for how the funding will be used.

· WiSE Justification – statement explaining how receipt of financial support will further the goals of the WiSE Program to increase the representation of women in science and engineering.

Note: if childcare outside the home is being used but special circumstances still require assistance, please contact us at wiseprog@usc.edu.