Funding Opportunities

Call for Seed Grant Proposals

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 Seed Grants Program. Applications will be due on Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.

The Asian American Research Center at Stanford (AARCS) is an interdisciplinary hub for generating and sharing knowledge about Asian American/diaspora issues. We support and make accessible innovative research into all dimensions of Asian American life.

The Asian American Research Center at Stanford (AARCS) seeks to advance Stanford as a leading center of scholarship on Asian American/diaspora issues. Our primary areas of focus include research; education; community & public engagement. We recognize the diverse geographic formations, experiences, and identities that comprise Asian American/diaspora communities.

We recognize and welcome applications from the diverse communities often grouped under or with the term, "Asian," including Central Asian, East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, West Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Applications due Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST.

Submission Guidelines

The proposal (2-3 pages, excluding bibliography) should include the following:

  • Project Summary
    • Core research topic
    • Relationship of project to current Asian American/diasporic communities and/or scholarly conversations
    • Projected timeline of project
  • Individual or Team involved (faculty, postdocs, staff, and/or students as appropriate)
  • Requested funding amount and detailed budget
  • For students: Provide the name and contact information of your Stanford advisor (faculty or staff), and a summary of your project discussions with them
  • Bibliography (no max or min limits, at the end of the PDF file)

Proposals are due on Sunday, March 22, 2026 and will undergo review by Center Leadership. Award recipients will be notified in April 2026 and the number of awards will be limited for this round. Please submit applications to (stanfordaarcs [at] stanford.edu (stanfordaarcs[at]stanford[dot]edu)) with the subject line: “AARCS Seed Grant Proposal - Last Name, First Name.”

Selection Criteria

  • Likelihood to advance knowledge about Asian American issues
  • Whether the proposed team has the proper credentials to complete the project
  • Intellectual merit of the proposal, balanced with quality and creativity
  • Potential to address societal issue(s) facing Asian Americans

Eligibility

We welcome proposals from undergraduate students, graduate students, postdocs, academic staff, and Stanford faculty. Proposals coming from undergraduate and graduate students must include a Stanford faculty or staff member as an advisor.

*For undergraduate students, projects should be proposed for the summer quarter only. AARCS will not be able to fund research projects during the academic year.

Funding Awards (maximum)

  • $1,000 for Undergraduate Students
  • $5,000 for Graduate Students
  • $10,000 for Faculty, Postdocs, Academic Staff

Funding Uses

Possible uses of AARCS funds include

  • Hiring student research assistants
  • Travel directly associated with research activity
  • Publication expenses
  • Collaborative projects with external or community partners
  • Technological support: website development, archival collections, etc.
  • Workshops, lectures, or programs that directly advance research
  • Minor equipment expenses
  • Operating supplies 

Awardee Requirements

  • Attend and present the funded research project at future AARCS events.
  • Serve as a reviewer for future AARCS Seed Grant cycles.
  • Acknowledge AARCS funding in all written and oral presentations associated with the research project.
  • Submit a brief mid-year update on the use of funds and a final written report at the end of the award term.
  • If needed, request a one-year extension of funds no later than one year after the award is granted.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What types of projects are supported through AARCS Seed Grants?

We welcome a wide range of projects, including but not limited to: humanities and social science research, creative and artistic research, community-based or participatory research, archival, oral history, or digital humanities projects. We invite you to review our past Seed Grant projects for the types of projects we have previously funded.

How are proposals evaluated?

In addition to the selection criteria above, proposals are typically evaluated based on alignment with AARCS’s mission, scholarly, creative, and community impact, feasibility and clarity of the project plan, and thoughtful and appropriate use of funds.

Can Seed Grant funds be used to pay myself?

Seed Grant funds should not be used as salary or stipend for the applicant or the applying team members. However, funds may be used to support student research assistants or other allowable research-related expenses.

Can I apply if I am on leave or graduating soon?

Applicants who anticipate being on leave or graduating during the funding period should clearly explain their timeline and plan for fund management in the application. Please describe how you will use the funds within the award year/ your remaining time, and how the funds will be managed if you are on leave for a short period of time.

Questions?

Please send any questions about the Seed Grant or application to Chali Lee (stanfordaarcs [at] stanford.edu (stanfordaarcs[at]stanford[dot]edu)).

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