FSI Guidelines

The Office of Research is pleased to announce the Faculty Scholarship Initiative (FSI) Program. The goal of the FSI Program is to invest in a diversified portfolio of graduate faculty scholarship, creative activity, and research in fields that are disadvantaged in terms of external funding.

Program Expectation

The Faculty Scholarship Initiative (FSI) is intended to advance significant scholarly or creative work in disciplines or areas where external funding opportunities are limited. The program supports projects that make a meaningful contribution to the applicant’s field, to Cleveland State University, and/or to the broader community.

Awards are expected to result in a tangible scholarly or creative product—such as a journal article, book or book chapter, artistic performance, exhibition, composition, or other form of public dissemination—that enhances the faculty member’s professional development and the visibility or impact of their work.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Scholarly or Creative Merit (50 points)
   Quality, originality, and significance of the proposed scholarly or creative work. Reviewers will consider the strength of the project’s conceptual foundation, the clarity of its goals, and its potential to contribute meaningfully to the applicant’s field or area of creative expression. Proposals should also articulate why the work represents an important contribution in a discipline or domain where external funding opportunities are limited.
      
2. Investigator and Team Capacity (25 points)
   Qualifications, expertise, and record of scholarly or creative achievement of the principal investigator (and team, if applicable). Reviewers will consider evidence of the applicant’s ability to carry out the proposed work successfully within the timeframe and available resources.
      
3. Dissemination and Impact (25 points)
   Quality and appropriateness of the plan for disseminating the results of the work, including anticipated venues, audiences, and outputs. Reviewers will consider the project’s potential to enhance the applicant’s professional development and generate meaningful impact within or beyond the university.

Eligibility

See general eligibility guidelines

Award Terms and Conditions

The award period is 12 months and begins on May 15 following award notification. All unexpended grant funds at the end of the award period will revert to the Office of Research. No extension will be granted beyond the end of the 12 month award period. See the general award terms and conditions for additional requirements.

Reporting Requirements

See general reporting requirements

Allowable Expenditures

See general guidelines for allowable expenditures

Application Guidelines

Proposals should be written in language that can be understood by non-specialists. Proposals should be written with 12-point font on letter-sized paper with one-inch margins, should consist of a single PDF, and should include the following sections.

Cover Page

Use the provided cover page template available here.

Abstract

A maximum 200-word summary of the proposed research.

Project Description (5 pages)

Provide a maximum five-page narrative describing the proposed scholarly or creative work. The narrative should be written for a general academic audience and must address the following elements: 

• Project goals and overview. Clearly state the objectives of the proposed work. Describe the scholarly or creative questions, problems, or themes being addressed and the outcomes or products that will result from the project (e.g., article, book, performance, exhibition, digital media, community partnership outcome, etc.).
     
• Significance and originality of the work. Explain the importance of the proposed work within your field or area of creative practice. Discuss how it advances knowledge, practice, or expression and what makes it distinctive or innovative. If your discipline or subfield offers limited external funding opportunities, briefly explain this context and why internal support is particularly critical for advancing this kind of work.
     
• Project plan. Provide a detailed description of what will be done, when, and how. Outline your approach, creative or research methods, key milestones, and anticipated timeline for completion. Identify collaborators, participants, or community partners (if applicable), and clarify their roles in achieving the project’s objectives. Timeline table.  
     
• Use of FSI funds and budget justification. Explain clearly how FSI funds will be used to carry out the project. Provide an itemized and justified budget that links expenditures (e.g., travel, materials, equipment, student assistance, performance costs) to specific activities or deliverables. Make clear why these costs are necessary for successful completion of the project and could not reasonably be covered through other means.

Funding Limit

FSI grants are limited to a maximum of $7,500.

Dissemination and Impact (One page)

Describe your strategy for sharing and publicizing the outcomes of your project. The plan should demonstrate that dissemination is intentional, appropriate to your discipline, and aligned with your professional goals. Address the following elements:

• Venues and formats. Identify the planned venues for dissemination—such as journals, book publishers, conferences, performances, exhibitions, community partnerships, or digital platforms—and explain why they are appropriate for the proposed work and intended audiences.
     
• Timeline and approach. Provide details on when and how dissemination will occur. Indicate expected milestones (e.g., submission dates, exhibition openings, performance schedules) and any key steps required to prepare the work for public presentation or publication.
      
• Impact and reach. Discuss the anticipated impact(s) of the project. Specifically, describe how dissemination of the work will contribute to one or more of the following: enhancement of your own professional growth and career progression; elevation of CSU’s visibility; advancement of your discipline or enrichment of the academic or creative community; engagement public or professional audiences.

References (One page)

Include a one-page list of bibliographic references. The does not count toward the five-page maximum for the narrative. 

Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)

Provide an abbreviated CV for each project participant. Each CV should include publications and scholarly or creative activities most relevant to the current proposal.

Evidence of qualifications and resources (or access to resources) necessary to complete the proposed project (One page)

Provide description of the qualification and resources for the project highlighted by CV.

Support Letters

Include appropriate letters of support, if applicable. For example, if course release time is requested, include a letter from the Department Chair, co-signed by the Academic Dean, that describes the teaching load policy in the academic unit.

• Explains how that policy affects the applicant.
• Outlines replacement costs associated with the release time request.

Submit Application

When you are all finished preparing your FSI proposal, use this online form to submit your application. You will receive an email confirmation after you successfully submit the form.

Timeline

See general guidelines for timeline