This new Obermann Center program offers modest yet swift support for those portions of research and creative endeavors by UI scholars that are important toward advancing a project but do not have enough funding from other sources. We will grant ten awards of $500 or less per academic year. Note that funds need to be spent by June 30 of each year.

Eligibility: Open to all University of Iowa faculty and staff researchers

Graduate students: Note that the Graduate College offers Small Grants for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Application deadline: Rolling — Note that applications must be submitted during the same academic year as funding is desired. For instance, persons desiring funding (disbursed as reimbursement) during the 2025–26 academic year must apply by May 8, 2026.

Award: $500 maximum. Funds need to be spent by fiscal year end (June 30).

Funds will be disbursed as reimbursements after itemized receipts, including proof of payment, and a one-paragraph report have been submitted to the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies.

Examples of expenses funded:

• Editorial services (copyediting, indexing, translation, transcription, etc.) for article and book projects

• Honoraria for reviewers, consultants, guest researchers, community collaborators, etc.

• Materials or equipment

• Software licenses (Note: If we approve your application, you will have to initiate a Technology Review with ITS before funding will be released for this purpose.)

• Publishing costs (permissions, image rights, etc.)

• Recordings, digitization

• Hiring undergraduate student support

Please note that the researcher’s own travel expenses are excluded; however, SIP can be used to help defray the cost of collaborators’ travel to Iowa City.