Supplemental Faculty Support

Deadline: No specific deadline.

Award Amount: $2,500 annually.

Directions: Submit online application.

Funds are available to provide supplemental research grants for tenured, tenure-track, and full-time research faculty and lecturers in WiSE-eligible departments. Each grant will be a maximum $2,500 annual award on a fiscal year basis. The faculty member must describe the purpose of the request and how receipt of supplemental funds will serve to increase the representation of women in science and engineering.

During the 2013-2014 academic year, WiSE created a program in which tenured/tenure-track faculty with children ages 5 years or younger may apply for an additional $1,000 to subsidize the costs of traveling (to conferences, research meetings, etc) with a child. Travel is a significant and demanding part of most scholars’ career advancement. Since the costs of additional travel expenses (due to childcare) can be significant, WiSE funds are intended to assist faculty with younger children in continuing their professional development, sustaining research visibility, and taking advantage of networking opportunities during a time in which parental obligations might otherwise limit travel. In 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, WiSE added the following alternative- the additional $1,000 can instead be requested to hire professional support for the development of grant proposals and scientific papers. Given the uncertainties associated with our return to in-person work, an additional $1,000 may also be requested for unexpected expenses. These funds are offered in addition to the $2,500 provided through the current Supplemental Faculty Support program. Faculty who intend to use these funds should include corresponding items in the budget of their application. For questions regarding allowable expenses, please contact WiSE Program Manager, Mallory Redel, at redel@usc.edu.

Application Guidelines

Goal: To provide current USC faculty with additional funds to cover any justifiable research related expense not already covered by other sources that will advance the WiSE Program goals of increasing the representation of women in science and engineering.

Eligibility: Tenured or tenure-track faculty, full-time research faculty, and lecturers in WiSE-eligible departments may apply directly for research grants anytime during the academic year. Applications should be made at least 30 days before funding is desired.

Application and Selection Process: An application should be submitted using the online system that includes:

  • A brief description of how the funds will be used
  • How this use advances the WiSE Program goals of increasing the representation of women in science and engineering.
  • A short, itemized budget must accompany the request

Awards will be made for any justifiable research related expense not already covered by other sources, within availability of WiSE funds in this category. Please note that WiSE funds through this program cannot be applied to faculty summer salary. Funds will be disbursed to applicant through normal faculty accounts.