The United States Studies Centre’s (USSC) is pleased to launch the inaugural Sydney American Studies Initiative (SASI). SASI aims to support local scholars conducting research or projects focused on various aspects of American Studies.

SASI is designed to foster academic inquiry, promote interdisciplinary approaches, and contribute to the advancement of knowledge by awarding small grants to support research and publication in the field of American Studies and/or on the Americas. Through SASI, the USSC seeks to provide financial assistance to local scholars, researchers, and educators who are dedicated to exploring the rich complexities of American history, culture, society, politics, media, and literature.

SASI funding will generally be in the range of $2000–$2500. These monies can be used, for example, to help defray the costs of archival research or to offset costs associated with publishing (images, indexing).

Terms and conditions

1. Eligibility criteria:

  • Applicants must be engaged in scholarly activities related to American Studies.
  • Projects or research proposals must demonstrate relevance and contribute significantly to the field of American studies.

2. Grant amount:

  • The grant amount will vary depending on the nature and scope of the proposed project. $2000–$2500 should be used as a guide.
  • Grants may cover research expenses, travel costs, publication fees, or other project-related expenditures.

3. Application process:

  • The application must include a CV and one- to two-page project proposal outlining objectives, timeline, and budget.

4. Selection criteria:

  • Grant recipients will be selected based on the quality, originality, and feasibility of their proposed projects.
  • Priority may be given to projects that demonstrate innovative approaches, interdisciplinary perspectives, or potential for collaboration with USSC faculty.

5. Grant disbursement:

  • Grant funds will be disbursed in accordance with the approved budget and timeline outlined in the project proposal as reimbursements against monies spent.

6. Acknowledgment and reporting:

  • Grant recipients are expected to acknowledge the support of the grant program and USSC in any publications, presentations, or other outputs resulting from the funded project.
  • Recipients will be asked to present a paper — a roundtable, or a brown bag talk, for example — at USSC about the research that SASI funding supported.
  • Recipients may be requested to provide a final report summarising the outcomes, findings, and impact of their project upon completion, and/or a short piece of writing that USSC will publish through its website.

7. Ethical considerations:

  • Applicants must adhere to ethical standards and guidelines relevant to their research, including obtaining necessary permissions or approvals for human subjects research or archival work.
  • Plagiarism and academic misconduct will not be tolerated and may result in disqualification or revocation of the grant.

8. Deadline and notification:

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, in the order that they are received, until the funding is exhausted.

9. Rights and ownership:

  • Grant recipients retain intellectual property rights to their work produced under the grant.
  • However, recipients may be asked to grant the grant program non-exclusive rights to use, reproduce, or distribute project outcomes for promotional or informational purposes.

10. Compliance:

  • Applicants and grant recipients must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies governing research conduct and funding use.

Disclaimer: This document serves as a general guide to the terms and conditions of the Sydney American Studies Initiative. Specific details, guidelines, and requirements may vary. Applicants are encouraged to review all instructions and requirements carefully before applying.

Proposals and enquiries should be directed to Dr Rodney Taveira, USSC Academic Director: rodney.taveira@sydney.edu.au