Individual Research

Overview

The goal of Individual Research Activity funding is to encourage and facilitate cultural research experiences and professional development for Associates of the Center for Cross Cultural Research. Activities are expected to reflect explorations of culture that depart from Associates’ individual programs of research and professional development.

Eligibility

Proposals must be from an active CCCR Associate
Associates must have joined the CCCR at least one quarter prior to submitting a funding application
Associates must be in good standing regarding prior project funding
Applicants should review the CCCR bylaws for an overview of the Individual Research Activity application process, presentation expectations, proposal evaluation, and post-funding expectations.

Timeline

Applications should be submitted to the Director via email by the deadline
Applications will be screened by Director for eligibility and completeness
Review will take place in the 2-3 weeks post submission
Funding decisions will be announced within 4-6 weeks
Funds are available for use in accordance with the approved project start date and timeline. Projects should begin within 6 months of funding approval.
- Investigators should allow for up to 4 weeks to hire and pay student researchers and consultant
- Investigators should allow for up to two weeks for all other purchases
Funds are available for up to one year from the project start date.
End of activity reports are due no later than one year after research activities begin; due dates will be communicated to investigators with the notice of funds.

Research Projects

Include a project description that addresses the following evaluation criteria:

Theoretical foundation
- Clear description of relevant cultural and psychological variables and processes
- Theoretical contribution of the proposed project
Methods
- Research questions that are clearly tied to study design
- Methodology suitable to address the question(s) posed
- A clear and appropriate explanation of sample size
- A clear and appropriate analysis plan
Expected timeline of research activity (including a specified start and end date; typically no more than a one year project duration). If awarded, all research activities are expected to be completed within one year of their start date.
Clear responsibilities for Project Personnel
- Description of proposed responsibilities and roles for Principal Investigator, other Center Associates, Student Affiliates, community members, and/or other research personnel involved in the project
Best Practices in Open Science
- Applicants must confirm that the study is/will be pre-registered (e.g., on OSF).
- Applicants must confirm that the data from the project will be made publicly available unless there is a clear obstacle that cannot be overcome.
- Applicants must confirm that the analytic methods and code for analyses will be made publicly available.
- Applicants must confirm that the research materials for the project will be made publicly available unless there is a clear obstacle that cannot be overcome.
- Applicants must submit their OSF page to the Director for publication on the website.
- See the primer on Open Science practices.
Applicants must confirm that an ethics application has been submitted, or will be submitted before funds are used (if applicable).
- If already submitted, please provide the protocol number for reference.
References for work cited (not included in page count)

Professional Development Activities

Applications related to professional development should include a detailed description of activities:

Details about the experience (dates, location, explanation of activity, etc.)
An explanation of how the experience will advance and/or enhance one’s research on culture and psychology
Detailed timeline of the professional development activities
References for work cited (not included in page count)

All Projects

In addition to the specific requirements listed above, all applications should include the following information within the 5-page limit.

Include a brief description of the applicant's eligibility, including:
- Date they joined the CCCR
- Current activity within the CCCR – detail how often you attend bi-weekly meetings and speaker events (including any barriers to attendance), and briefly describe other ways you have engaged in the CCCR community
Include an expected budget that includes description and justification for each expenditure. Must include a description of how the proposed budget corresponds to the specified responsibilities and roles of project personnel (e.g., who will oversee which research activities). Funding requests for individual research activities may include:
- Research-related materials (e.g., supplies, printing costs)
- Research participant payment
- Student researcher, collaborator, or consultant payments. Estimates of these payments should include fringe benefits and other associated costs.
- Travel for professional development related to cultural research (e.g., conference travel to present on cultural research or learn new cultural research methods, funding for workshops or other trainings on cultural research tools). Applications that include travel funds must indicate that they have already/will use Department funds first.
- Funds are not typically provided for:
  - Living expenses while conducting research
  - Stipends for principal investigators (e.g., summer salary)
- Funds are contingent on IRB approval, if relevant
Discuss the impact of proposed research. Briefly address each of the following:
- CCCR values. Discuss how the research activities serve and enhance the values of the CCCR and its research on culture and diversity. This might include:
  - Research activities or trainings that center voices and experiences of underrepresented cultures, groups, or identities
  - Research activities or trainings that support underrepresented students or collaborators who do not typically receive compensation for research work
- Innovation and potential impact.
  - Discuss how the current project expands one's existing program of research or how the experience will expand the investigator’s ability to conduct research that will result in social action or systems change or improved quality of life for vulnerable or marginalized populations.
- Tangible outcomes. Discuss how the research activities serve and enhance the standing of the partners involved (e.g., potential publications or presentations, supporting student development, establishing or enhancing community partnerships).

Relevant CCCR Bylaws

Overview: The goal of Individual Research Activities funding is to encourage and facilitate cultural research experiences and professional development for Associates of the Center for Cross Cultural Research. Activities are expected to reflect explorations of culture that depart from Associates’ individual programs of research and professional development.
Eligibility:
- Proposals must be from an active CCCR Associate, defined as regularly contributing to the CCCR learning community (e.g., through bi-weekly meetings, speaker events, collaborating with and supporting other Associates and Student Affiliates). It is unlikely that someone would be considered an active member with no involvement in CCCR activities in the past year.
- Associates must have joined the CCCR at least one quarter prior to submitting a funding application.
- Associates must be in good standing regarding prior project funding (including completing end of project reports).
Application Process:
- The CCCR Director will announce funding application deadlines and funding limits. Maximum funding per project will be specified annually according to current CCCR limits and shared with the CCCR community.
- Applicants should submit a written proposal application that addresses the activity’s purpose, goals, and methods (if the proposal is related to conducting research).
- Proposals should also address the link between the project and the CCCR’s mission.
- Proposals must include a start and end date to activities. Activities will typically span no more than a one-year period unless approved by the CCCR Director and Advisory Board.
- A detailed budget should be included, with all estimated project costs. Funding requests for individual research activities may include:
  - Research-related materials (e.g., supplies, printing costs)
  - Research participant payment
  - Student researcher, collaborator, or consultant payments. Estimates of these payments should include fringe benefits and other associated costs.
  - Travel for professional development related to cultural research (e.g., conference travel to present on cultural research or learn new cultural research methods, funding for workshops or other trainings on cultural research tools). Applications that include travel funds must indicate that they have already/will use Department funds first.
  - Funds are not typically provided for:
    - Living expenses while conducting research
    - Stipends for principal investigators (e.g., summer salary)
- Funds are contingent on IRB approval, if relevant
Presentation Expectations: Associates are expected to present aspects of their individual research activity at least once with members of the CCCR. Associates should be prepared to actively engage with the CCCR learning community by a works-in-progress presentation (pre-funding, mid-funding, and/or end of funding period). Such presentations can take the form of, but not be limited to, conference style talks, data blitz, roundtable discussion, or research activity demonstration. Ultimately, engaging with the CCCR learning community should serve one or more of the following goals:
- Bringing initial ideas to the group to receive substantive feedback
- Bringing a key challenge to the group (e.g., an obstacle to executing the research activity) to engage in community problem-solving
- Bringing the community into a discussion about successes and lessons learned
- The status of funded and completed projects are subject of regular discussion and programming for CCCR research meetings.
Proposal Evaluation:
- Eligible proposals will be evaluated by the Director and at least two members of the Advisory Board
  - When applicant is also an Advisory Board member, a replacement reviewer will be recruited by the Director from Associate members to assist with evaluation.
- Proposals will be evaluated on:
  - Culture and diversity focus (e.g., centering voices and experiences of underrepresented cultures, groups, or identities)
  - Innovation and potential impact (e.g., resulting in social action or systems change, improved quality of life for vulnerable or marginalized populations)
  - Clear justification of budget and demonstrated financial need for the research activity
- The number of awards per year is based on available funding. Available funds will be divided among outstanding proposals, awardees may receive only partial funding for their projects, and funding is not guaranteed for all proposed projects.
- Funding priority will be given to:
  - investigators without other active CCCR awards or pending applications
  - projects that support underrepresented students or collaborators who do not typically receive compensation for research work (e.g., community members)
  - cultural research opportunities that would not be likely to receive support from traditional sources
Post-Funding:
- Approval does not result in immediate funding for all expenses but carries the understanding that the Investigator will conduct the activities within the parameters and budget outlined in the application.
- Any changes in how funds are allocated across budget categories should be submitted to the Director in writing, with justification.
- Activities are expected to be completed within one year of their start date. If unforeseen circumstances arise and funds will not be used within one year, a request for extension must be submitted to the Director, reviewed by the Advisory Board, and approved prior to the end of the one year funding period. Without an approved extension, unused funds will be unavailable after one year from the start of the project.
- Investigators will submit a post-activity report to the Director on project and budget activities.

2026 Application Cycle