Deadline: Community Renewal Fund

In light of the many disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to our ability to gather as a community, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) will establish a one-time community renewal fund in spring 2022 to provide financial support for activities that re-build our sense of community as we advance our academic mission.

Funding will be provided for activities that intentionally seek to build community, such as retreats, lecture series, team-building events, celebrations, and other gatherings. Proposals are encouraged to consider ways to engage local community broadly, inclusive of faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, and other community partners. Please note that only one-time expenses are eligible and all awards must be spent within 18 months. Hiring and equipment purchases are ineligible.

All activities must follow current FAS and University public health policies and guidance, as well as current FAS, divisional, and departmental administrative guidelines and policies. While alcohol is not prohibited from inclusion in the proposal, it must be limited to beer and wine. Event hosts should familiarize themselves with liability considerations and other aspects of the University’s alcohol policy. Non-alcoholic alternatives should always be provided.

The Community Renewal Fund will welcome applications at two deadlines: February 1 and March 1. All applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the deadline. All FAS administrative and academic units are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Applicants are asked to submit the following information to secfas@fas.harvard.edu.

1. Contact information for the person making the submission, as well as for a contact who will administer the funds should they be awarded.
    
2. A proposal, limited to one page. This proposal should identify the unit(s) that will be participating, a description of the proposed activities, and a budget with enough information to convey the alignment of costs with the requested amount.
    
3. If the proposal is not being submitted by the department chair or other like unit head, support for the proposal from the unit head must also be submitted via email to secfas@harvard.edu.

Review Process

Proposals from academic units will be read and awarded by the Faculty Council, on behalf of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Proposals from administrative units will be read and awarded by the Dean for Administration and Finance’s Council.