Big Questions Fund

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Global Scholars in Residence Program

Bringing the world to Vanderbilt, the Big Questions Fund provides financial support to faculty-organized colloquiums, summits, workshops, or summer schools to address pressing societal challenges of global interests. National and global invitees should be leaders in their respective fields. The event should be cross-disciplinary for impact and innovation, with a focus on yielding significant cross-sectional attendance and high visibility. 

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  • Eligibility and Requirements
    1. All full-time, VU-employed (Provost-reporting) faculty are eligible. 

    2. Faculty may submit up to one proposal per year as lead faculty. 

    3. Funds may not be used to support faculty salaries. 

    4. Faculty are only eligible to submit another proposal once all reporting requirements have been met. 

  • Guidelines for Review

    Proposals that include the following criteria will be viewed favorably:

    • It focuses on a pressing societal challenge of global interest (e.g. , viruses, vaccines and pandemics; climate change; Generative AI; free speech; water; the assault on democratic institutions and equity; the consequences of globalization and mediatization; art and ethics; sustainability; capitalism and well-being)
    • It includes a feasible work plan with achievable benchmarks
    • It includes a well-thought-out and justifiable budget
    • It reflects collaboration across disciplines
    • It has a developed plan to ensure event visibility and broad access
  • Additional Requirements
    • Bios and CVs of proposed invitees
    • Draft Organization of Events
    • Budget Overviews
    • Measures of Success and Evaluation
  • Proposal Process

    All proposals must be submitted online using InfoReady Review, Vanderbilt’s online submissions portal, or by clicking the "Apply Now" button on this page.

    Information to include in your proposal:

    • Proposal title
    • Applicant information
    • Summary of Proposed Topic
      • Proposal Abstract (500 words)
      • Topics covered
      • Duration of event
      • Proposed dates of the event
    • Statement on the event's cross-disciplinarity (250 words)
    • Plan for event visibility (250 words)
    • Supporting documents
      • 25-word Bios and CVs of proposed invitees
      • Draft Organization of Events
      • Budget Overview
      • Measures of Success & Evaluation
  • Funding Guidelines

    The Vice Provost’s Office of Arts, Libraries, and Global Engagement will fund annually two Big Questions events up to $40,000.

  • Application Deadlines

    Application Deadlines

    Applications for the Big Questions Fund open on April 1st, 2024. Please note the following dates: 

    • Applications for the fall 2024 “The Big Questions” are due June 7, 2024. 
    • Applications for spring 2025 “The Big Questions” are due August 30, 2024. 

Application Closed

The Big Questions Fund is closed for 2024-25 proposals. Click back in spring 2025 for future cycles.

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Have a question? 

Please reach out to the Vice Provost Office for Global Engagement at ovp-global@vanderbilt.edu with any questions