Colgate University
AC-10: Support for Research

Both the Upstate Institute and the Undergraduate Summer Research Program encourage student research in a variety of fields, including sustainability. The Upstate Institute Summer Field School provides stipends for students to work with community organizations on research projects in a variety of sectors. Through the Upstate Institute Field School, the students work full-time on projects that provide data and build capacity throughout the region. The results of their research projects are shared with the community organization, and through an annual research symposium on the Upstate New York area. Many of the projects deal with sustainable themes in local agriculture, the environment, and local economies. The Undergraduate Summer Research Program also provides stipends for students to work with Colgate faculty to conduct in-depth research projects throughout the summer in a variety of disciplines. Many of the projects address issues of sustainability. The results of this research are publishes each year at http://www.colgate.edu/docs/d_campus-life_career-services-for-students_internships_summer-undergraduate-research/summer-undergraduate-research-directory-2012-11-13-12.pdf?sfvrsn=2

The Lampert Institute invites applications from faculty seeking financial support for research advancing the broad mission of the Lampert Institute, which is to promote greater understanding of important issues relating to civic affairs and public policy. The institute supports faculty research and development in areas related either to the institute’s annual theme or broader work involving civic engagement and public policy. The forms of support are various, and include funding reading groups and sponsoring conferences. More information on the Lampert Institute can be found online: http://www.colgate.edu/centers-and-institutes/lampert-institute/lampert-institute-support-for-faculty/faculty-scholars. Additionally, Colgate faculty may submit proposals for research to the Upstate Institute on topics related to the broad region of upstate New York. Faculty members or groups of faculty may also propose to organize a scholarly symposium, conference, or workshop that addresses issues concerning or related to the upstate New York region. A faculty member receiving an award for research is expected to share either the final or preliminary results of the study in a future Upstate Institute event and through inclusion in the Upstate Institute collection in Digital Commons. The Upstate Institute is normally able to fund projects with budgets up to $5,000. The Institute also supports faculty research in the form of $500 discretionary grants, and via support for publication costs. Website: http://www.colgate.edu/centers-and-institutes/upstate-institute/regional-research/faculty-research.

Interdisciplinary research is valued at Colgate University and is given equal weight to single discipline research during the tenure process. In some cases, interdisciplinary research is prioritized depending on the department and area of focus. For example, Colgate's Picker Institute for Interdisciplinary Study in the Sciences and Mathematics, which funds up to $250,000 per year in faculty projects, are explicitly interdisciplinary. The Picker website is http://pickerisi.colgate.edu/.

Our library systems has a dedicated faculty liaison to support research in environmental studies and sustainability. The liaison compiles resources and works with students and faculty to aid them in their development and research.