The American Institute of Indian Studies is pleased to announce the launch of its Digital India Learning (DIL) initiative and invites proposals that demonstrate a sustained use of digital methodology and resources in the exploration of a research topic focused on India. AIIS welcomes projects at all stages of development, including pilots at a preliminary stage of conception, that foster the digital production and dissemination of knowledge about India; that promote the creation and use of digital resources and media for the study of India; and that promote digital collaboration across disciplines including, and especially, between the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields. Award funds can be used to supplement current projects supported by other grants, but the budget should clearly explain what portion of the project will be supported by the AIIS award. Award funds may not be used exclusively for hosting a conference or workshop, but convenings that are necessary to help advance a project are allowed if the purpose is explained in the narrative. Anticipated outcomes may include but are not limited to digital material and publications, reports, teaching resources, online exhibits, digital infrastructure, and software.
AIIS is offering two grants, each for $12,500. A proposal for a project can be submitted by one principal investigator applicant or a team of two or more principal investigators in collaboration. Projects do not need to involve travel to India. Eligible applicants include faculty, as well as non-faculty professionals at institutions of higher education in the United States. Applicants from community colleges, Minority Serving Institutions, and institutions which do not have established South Asian studies programs are especially encouraged to apply.
Applicants should submit their application in the form of a single pdf, by email to aiis@uchicago.edu The application deadline is September 15, 2020.
The application should include:
a) a proposal, up to three pages double-spaced, explaining the project’s scope and aims in clear prose. The proposal should specifically describe the project’s anticipated output/deliverables and how the applicant intends to disseminate the results of their project. PIs should describe accessibility, sustainability, and an outline of data management for the project. If there is more than one principal investigator, the different roles of each collaborator should be specified in the proposal. If the applicant(s) intend(s) to hire any student assistants, they should specify their anticipated duties and the compensation they would receive;
b) a budget detailing expenditure for $12,500. Funds cannot be used for university (home institution) overhead;
c) a coversheet with the name, institutional affiliation, mailing address, email and phone number of the applicant(s);
d) a two-page CV for each principal investigator.
Evaluation of the proposal will be based on potential impact on specific fields of research, on technical innovation and feasibility, on sustainability and data management plans, and plans for open access of deliverables in the spirit of digital/public scholarship.
Decisions will be made by November 1, 2020. Those selected will be able to carry out their projects on a schedule of their choosing from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
