Interdisciplinary Studies of Writing (ISW)
Research Grants
Based on the University of Minnesota model, the UNH Interdisciplinary Studies of Writing (ISW) is the research component of the UNH Writing Program. ISW supports research into the ways that writing can foster learning in and across the disciplines. Besides funding research that spans theory and practice, ISW hopes to create connections throughout the University community by promoting discussion on the study and teaching of writing. ISW also encourages publication in scholarly venues and sponsored research opportunities.
Research grants to support inquiry into writing in and across the disciplines. We encourage proposals that merge theory and practice, involve interdisciplinary connections, and have multidisciplinary implications. We also welcome proposals for inquiry into effective ways of teaching with writing in specific disciplines or with specific populations of students. The strongest proposals will have implications that will benefit students and faculty at UNH.
General research topics include the following: characteristics of writing across the University’s curriculum; status reports on students’ writing ability and the University; the connection between writing and learning in all fields; the characteristics of writing beyond the academy; the effects of ethnicity, race, class, and gender on writing; and curricular reform through writing-intensive instruction.
Please visit this page for application details. If you still have questions, please contact the Director of the University Writing Programs.
Important dates
Letter of intent due: February 1
Full application (if invited): March 29
Notification: TBD
Grant details
- Eligibility: Principal Investigator must be a UNH faculty or staff member.
- Amount: Variable, depending on merit of proposal and availability of funds, but typically from $1000 to $5000 (max). For projects that are seeds or pilots for external sponsorships, matching funds from the UNH Vice Provost for Research could be made available, doubling amounts.
- Expenses – permitted: Funding of undergraduate or graduate research assistant(s) salary and fringe, equipment and supplies, travel, and publication/documentation costs.
- Expenses – not permitted: The Writing Program does not fund faculty release time or the work of teaching assistants.
Criteria for selection
- Clarity of research question/problem
- Project’s implications for improving student writing and/or writing pedagogy
- Quality of research methodology
- Plans for disseminating results (strongest consideration for external, peer reviewed journals)
- Feasibility of accomplishing goals given the proposed time and budget
- Meaningful participation by undergraduate or graduate research assistant(s) (if applicable)
- Implications of research for colleagues, departments, and the University as a whole
- Potential for linkage to externally sponsored research
Note: Preference will be given to proposals from applicants who have not received ISW grants in the past.
Some examples of research done at the University of Minnesota
"Writing to Learn in Anatomy and Physiology of the Speech and Hearing Mechanisms"
Julie M. Liss and Stephanie D. Hanson, 2003
"The Challenge of Cooking for Chefs: Writing in the English Major"
Archibald Leyasmeyer, Beverly Atkinson, Christine Mack Gordon, Sally Nereson, 2001
"An Assessment of the Writing of Undergraduate Computer Science Students"
Tom Nurkkala and Maria Gini, 2002
"Writing Across the Curriculum: Where Does Horticultural Science Fit In?"
Karina Zambreno, Emily Hoover, Neil Anderson, Jeffrey H. Gillman, 2002
"Informal Writing in Comprehensive History Survey Courses"
John M. Currin and James D. Tracy, 2003