Small Grants

Global Studies is pleased to announce our fourth cycle of Small Grants as part of the Global Futures Initiative. The application cycle will open in October. Our goal is to support undergraduate students in Global Studies to conduct global projects that do not fit within traditional disciplines. Complex problems, including forced migration and human trafficking, climate change, or the rise of neo-populism, to only mention a few, require cross-disciplinary approaches and transnational perspectives.

Eligibility

The Global Studies program is pleased to announce our 2026-2027 Global Futures Small Grants. Global Studies will offer a limited number of Small Grants of $1000 each or up to $2,000. Global Studies majors are eligible and encouraged to apply. Our goal is to support students to carry out global research projects that transcend traditional disciplines. Complex problems, including forced migration and human trafficking, climate change, and the rise of neo-populism, to mention only a few examples, require cross-disciplinary approaches and transnational perspectives. The Global Futures Small Grants support projects that cross traditional disciplines and have an international focus in the form of research assistance, travel for research or conferences, editing costs, book subventions, or meetings with collaborators.

Review and Selection

The Global Futures Small Grants Committee will select the winning proposals. Notifications will be given by December 7, 2026.

Award Period

Project funds must be used by September 1, 2027.

Please note:

  • All Small Grant proposals that are approved for funding and involve the use of human subjects (e.g., payment or stipends to research participants) must obtain appropriate human subjects approval through the University’s Institutional Review Board.

Application Requirements

Applications Due November 10, 2026

Instructions for Global Studies majors

Please submit a complete proposal with the following sections to the Chair of the Global Futures Small Grants Committee, Dr. Stephanie Shady (shadys@wustl.edu). She will also field questions.

  • Title, description of the task for which the grant will be used and expected outcome (including the research question, methodology, and methods), and a short statement on the relevance of the project for Global Studies with a review of relevant research across the disciplines that grounds the project. Maximum of two double-spaced pages (approx. 1,000 words)
  • A detailed budget with a breakdown of how the funds will be spent. Maximum one page.
  • An updated CV
  • Please include the above items as a single PDF.

  • Applications should include an endorsement by a WashU faculty member. Faculty endorsements are due with the application and should be submitted to Dr. Stephanie Shady (shadys@wustl.edu). The endorsement should address:

    • The applicant’s research and how the grant will contribute to their future scholarship.
    • The candidate’s potential and their scholarly contributions that resonate with the Global Studies vision and mission (see https://globalstudies.washu.edu/).

    Please note:  All grant proposals that are approved for funding and involve the use of human subjects (e.g., payment or stipends to research participants) must obtain appropriate human subjects approval through the University’s Institutional Review Board.