CREATE Program

The Championing Resources for Excellence in Arts/Humanities Transformational Efforts Program provides up to $15,000 to support initial or seed funding for research programs, scholarly initiatives, or creative scholarship for projects involving American studies, art, communication, dance, education, English, modern languages and classics, history, international studies, journalism, law, music, philosophy, political science, public relations, religious studies, telecommunications/film, and theatre.

For more information, please contact assist@ua.edu.

Timeline and Key Dates

• Due Date: Before 5:00 pm Central on October 15, 2025.  (Accommodations for late and/or incomplete proposals are not available.)
• Proposal Review Period: October 16 to November 30, 2025
• Decisions Announced: December 2025
• Period of Performance: January 1 to December 31, 2026

Eligibility

Regular, full-time UA employees authorized to serve as a Principal Investigator (PI), and who did not receive Research internal funding in the previous year, are eligible. 

Opportunity

Research anticipates awarding three CREATE projects per year, subject to the availability of funds. 

Requirements

Format: 8.5” x 11”; single spaced; size 11 Times New Roman font; one-inch margins on all sides

Involvement: Single PI (i.e., no co-PIs or collaborators)

Abstract: In no more than half a page, describe the projects broad significance, proposed activities, and intended outcomes.  Priority given to abstracts directed to a sophisticated lay audience and suitable for communication with the public.

Narrative: :  In no more than two pages, provide a descriptive narrative enabling cognizant reviewers to judge the merits of the project using the following criteria:

• Significance of Project (25%)
• Impact on the academic discipline and pathway to prominence (20%)
• Uniqueness relative to the state-of-the-art in the discipline (20%)
• Impact on graduate education and training (15%)
• How funding will lead to tangible product generation (15%)
• Previous PI performance with internal funds (if no history exists, please include a statement to this effect.)  (5%)ase include a statement to this effect.) (5%)

Budget: In no more than half a page, provide a simple description regarding the utilization of funds (e.g., personnel, supplies, travel).

Deliverables: In no more than half a page, describe how the project will produce at least one of the following outcomes: 

• Proposal submission to an external agency or foundation
• Peer-reviewed Publication
• Exhibition
• Performance
• Conference Presentation

Additionally, PIs will present posters and a two-minute “Flash Talk” at Faculty Research Day in the year following completion of funding. 

Regulations:  Projects requiring IRB or IACUC review must receive approval before fund distribution, but not prior to proposal submission.) 

Budget Notes 

Within regulatory requirements, Research intends to limit the restrictions placed on funding expenditures; however, the following are unallowable expenses:

• Salary for an external collaborator
• Subcontracts
• Items covered under indirect costs

Requests for summer salary must comply with university policies and procedures.

Hourly student workers, both undergraduate and graduate, are allowable expenses.  Only currently enrolled UA students are eligible.

Materials and supplies include expendable items with a useful life of less than one year or a unit cost under $10,000.  (Subject to change per federal regulations.)

PIs must expend funds during the award year; carry-forward into the following year is not available (i.e., no-cost extensions are not available.)

Proposal Notes

• PIs may include research methodology; however, remain mindful of the two-page limit.
• Though not required, PIs may include references; however, remain mindful of the two-page limit.
• Proposals not chosen for funding will receive feedback.

Prior Recipients