Request for Proposals: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Human-Environment Interaction
09/04/2025
Overview
The relationship between humans and the environment is complex and multifaceted. Just as humans materially and communicatively impact the environment in a variety of ways, so too does the environment condition human life. For the two-year period from August 2025 through June 2027, the CSSI will support research projects exploring dimensions of human-environment interaction that are related to one or more of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences’ Strategic Research Priorities. Examples include, but are not limited to: practical, ethical, and social issues in the management of invasive species; environmental and social costs/benefits of human migration; the role of native, non-native, invasive, and managed species in the design and management of resilient ecosystems; vaccine-preventable diseases in rural communities; and air quality and ecological health.
Although projects supported by the CSSI may be directed by researchers from any field of study, research teams must be interdisciplinary. Preference will be given to teams comprised of researchers from across the life sciences, social sciences, and/or humanities, as well as to projects that address the nexus of communication, science, and society.
Funding and Expectations
Up to $13,000 to be used for (a) pilot studies, (b) meetings with applied partners or external consultants, (c) meetings with internal (to PSU) researchers for the purpose of proposal development. The funds are not intended to support student travel or student projects unless they are directly in the service of one of the above uses. In addition to workshops and meetings that support their work, awardees will take part in an on-campus symposium in Fall of 2026 in which they will present their project or work in progress. Projects will be supported with the expectation that they lead to proposals submitted to the Huck seed grant program (due in July 2026 or July 2027) or the SSRI Level 2 funding program (due December 2026).
Content, Submission, and Processing of Proposals
Proposals of up to three pages in length may be submitted at any time to the CSSI Director (ipd16@psu.edu) as a single document that describes the team’s purpose, members, rationale for the request, and budget. Proposals will then be reviewed by the CSSI Executive Committee in consultation with representatives of the Huck Institutes as is relevant to the substance of the proposal.
Potential applicants are encouraged to consult with James Dillard, Director of the CSSI (ipd16@psu.edu) for pre-submission discussion of ideas for proposals and potential collaborators. Proposals will be accepted beginning October 1, 2025 and considered on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.