APARRI Research Grants

Overview

The Asia Pacific American Religions Research Initiative (APARRI) Research Grant supports scholarship that advances the scholarly and public knowledge of Asian Pacific American religions. We invite applications from scholars pursuing research on Asian Pacific American religions across all disciplines; this includes social sciences, humanities, theology, and interdisciplinary work. For the 2024-25 grant cycle, we are especially interested in supporting projects that offer a comparative or inter-religious/racial/ethnic lens, focus on underrepresented groups in the field (e.g. Pacific Islanders, South Asian Americans, Sikhs, Hindus, etc.), or proposals from junior scholars.

The ultimate goal of the project should be a scholarly work by the applicant, which can take the form of a monograph, article, dissertation, digital research project, critical edition, or other scholarly resources. The grant supports projects at any stage of development. This grant does not fund works of fiction (e.g., novels or films), textbooks, translation, or pedagogical projects.

Funds can be used to complete an entire project, to provide seed money to start a larger project, or to accomplish smaller tasks of a larger project. (See FAQs for list of activities and items eligible for funding)

Faculty may request funds for a sabbatical or replacement costs for one course release, contingent on approval of the department chair and/or dean at the faculty’s institution. (See below for more details)

The maximum amount of each award:

  • $25,000: Full-time Faculty and Lecturers
  • $10,000: Graduate students | Independent Scholars | Postdoctoral Scholars | Part-time Faculty and Lecturers


Due to the competitive selection process, the final amount awarded may vary and not be based on the proposed budget. Most grants will be between $5,000 to $15,000. All grant funds must be spent by May 15, 2026. The final report will be due May 15, 2026.

APARRI strives to create a robust intellectual community; therefore, all grant awardees are required to fully participate in at least one APARRI conference. We encourage awardees to present their work. Awardees will receive financial assistance to attend the APARRI conference so long as they apply for a conference scholarship.

See previously awarded Research Grants

APARRI Research Grants

Eligibility

  1. Those with doctorates or who are doctoral students.
  2. Those who propose projects with an Asian Pacific American religions focus.
  3. Scholars who have not received an APARRI Research Grant in the past.

Application Guidelines

Applications must be submitted online and must include:
  • Completed application form
  • Proposal (no more than 10 pages, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 11-point font, inclusive of any footnotes or endnotes). Please use the following subheadings:
    • Title
    • Abstract (max of 350 words)
    • Goals
    • Significance of project
    • Description of project
    • Methodology
    • Product/Deliverable
    • Timeline
    • Bibliography (without annotation, no more than two pages)
    • Budget, including other potential sources of funding (if relevant), with budget justification (2 page limit)
  • CV (5 page limit)
  • A polished academic writing sample (no more than 25 pages total). This sample may be from previously published work.
  • For faculty requesting research leave or course release, letter of support from chair or dean

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by the following criteria:

  1. The potential of the project to advance and make an original contribution to the scholarly and public knowledge of Asian Pacific American religions, especially of groups that are underrepresented in the field.
  2. The quality of the proposal with regard to its methodology, scope, theoretical framework, and grounding in the relevant scholarly literature.
  3. The feasibility of the project and the likelihood that the applicant will execute the work within the proposed time frame and budget.
  4. A budget that reflects responsible and reasonable usage of funds.
  5. The scholarly record and career trajectory of the applicant.

FAQs

  • Travel, meals, lodging for research trips
  • Research leaves
  • Course release (no more than one course release)
  • Research assistance
  • Transcription and translation services
  • Research-related expenses such as indexing, editorial assistance, manuscript workshops, or books
  • Research assistance
  • Equipment directly related to research (excluding computer equipment, tablets, and office furniture)
  • Childcare and elder care. These costs may be up to 10% of the total project budget.
  • Food delivered to homes or food to be consumed while meeting online
  • Stipends for writing the grant proposal
  • Fees for WiFi or other home utilities
  • Travel, meals, lodging expenses for family and friends
  • Computer equipment, tablets, and office furniture
  • Summer salary
  • Living expenses
  • Tuition and school fees
  • Attending APARRI Conference

For faculty applying for sabbatical pay, the total amount of support the grantee receives from their home institution and other sources, including the APARRI grant, may not exceed the candidate’s 2024 academic year salary.

APARRI research awards under $10,000 will be disbursed to the grantee in the form of a single check. APARRI research awards over $10,000, including course replacement funds, will be processed as a subaward to the awardee’s institution. Institutions are not permitted to take overhead costs. APARRI awards are subject to taxability. Grantees are responsible for all tax reporting on their rewards.

There is no citizenship requirement for the APARRI Research Grant. However, the primary focus of research must be on Asian Pacific Americans and their religions.

Yes. An APARRI grant may be used concurrently with other fellowships, grants and sabbatical pay.

Funds will be disbursed based on timely completion of financial information. Awards that are less than $10,000 will be disbursed soon after we receive your financial information. Awards that are more than $10,000 will be processed as subawards to the grantee’s institution. Subawards take 6-8 weeks to process after the completion of the financial paperwork. Please note that completing the paperwork for subawards is time-consuming and will require the involvement of grant administrators from the awardee’s institution. Grant activities and use of funds must be completed no later than May 15, 2026.. Extensions will not be permitted.

APARRI will begin accepting applications October 15, 2024. Completed applications must be submitted through the APARRI online grant administration system no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time, November 15, 2024.

No. Alterations are not permitted once the application has been submitted.

Notifications will be sent via email by February 1, 2025.

Grant Snapshot

Apply

The APARRI Research Grant supports scholarship that advances the scholarly and public knowledge of Asian Pacific American religions. We invite applications from scholars pursuing research on Asian Pacific American religions across all disciplines. We welcome proposals from anyone with a doctorate or who is pursuing a doctorate.

Maximum Award Amount:

  • $25,000: Full-time Faculty and Lecturers
  • $10,000: Graduate students | Independent Scholars | Postdoctoral Scholars | Part-time Faculty and Lecturers

Deadline: November 15, 2024, 11:59 PST

Contact: infoaparri@gmail.com

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