James Madison University promotes access, inclusion and diversity for faculty, researchers and programs, believing that these are foundational components of outstanding research and education. The Inclusive Research and Pedagogies Seed Fund supports Academic Affairs’ mission of enhancing access, equity and inclusive excellence in faculty teaching, research and professional development.

The seed fund also promotes research practices that will impact and respond to student research, student learning/training and institutional culture as well as regional, national and global challenges and opportunities.

Our definition of diversity aligns with JMU’s Policy 1302.

This initiative supports JMU’s Strategic Priorities outlined in Goals 2E, 4B, 4C and 8B:

• Goal 2E:  The university will value a culture of diversity in teaching, research, and service.
• Goal 4B: The university will prioritize a model of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to learning as pathways to innovation, knowledge creation, and problem-solving in our complex global environment.
• Goal 4C: The university will provide appropriate levels of sustainable support, oversight, and accountability for students, faculty, and staff engaged in research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.
• Goal 8B: The university will continue its commitment to the investment of resources to support a wide array of professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.

The Academic Affairs vision, as captured in the following strategic goal, aligns with the university goals:

• AA Goal 1: There is a broad consensus that our future as a national university hinges on the establishment of a distinctive, JMU blend of liberal arts, research, and professional education.

Therefore, the Office of Strategic Initiatives and Global Affairs (SIGA) and Research, Economic Development, and Innovation (REDI) are collaborating to provide at least five inclusive research and pedagogy seed fund awards annually for up to $4000 each.

The grants may support projects in critical DEI-responsive pedagogies and research. The grants will specifically seed projects that pilot new and innovative pedagogies and research that responds to the urgent DEI needs of our times and are expected to lead to external funding participation.

The SIGA office will support the seed funding while REDI will convene and incentivize the collaborative external funding application to follow the initial award. Funded initiatives will have great impact within and across identified relevant disciplines and help foster and sustain DEI.

Applicants can ask for funding that addresses the mission of SIGA, REDI, and/or Academic Affairs through any of the following priorities:   

1. Projects that will explore aspects of DEI within the academy or specific discipline.
2. Projects on issues relating to sustainable research and advanced pedagogical practices that foster access, retention, diversity, and inclusion and may lead to external grants. 
3. DEI research that will have great disciplinary, regional, national or global impact.
4. Research that incorporates diversity and/or inclusivity in responding to a research or pedagogy gap at JMU and/or within a discipline.      
5. Major grant writing DEI initiative.

Selection

• A faculty committee coordinated by the Provost’s Office will evaluate the nominations and select the final awardee.
• Recipients will be announced at the award luncheon.