Call for Proposals 2025 Urban Research Grants | Due Date: August 29, 2025
FUNDING FOR URBAN RESEARCH GRANTS AVAILABLE | DUE DATE: AUGUST 29, 2025
The Harvard Mellon Urban Initiative (HMUI) invites applications for grants to support research
projects with an urban focus, ideally with an interdisciplinary approach. We seek proposals in
three broad areas:
1. Research in archives and online data sets that will lead to publication.
2. Funding towards producing materials that seek to disseminate knowledge more broadly (e.g.: data
visualization, maps, multimedia history, etc.).
3. Development of course-related materials, or course-enhancing programming. This might include
funding for Research Assistants, site visits, events, or honoraria for guest speakers during the
2025-2026 academic year.
All Harvard affiliates are welcome to apply.
• Currently enrolled students, both undergraduate and graduate, may apply to undertake their own
independent or collaborative projects. Students should indicate a faculty sponsor or advisor.
• Faculty can only apply to categories 2 and 3. Given current budgetary constraints, we will do
our best to support course-related proposals, including programming.
The Urban Initiative is particularly interested in linking humanistic approaches to cities with
spatial investigations of built environments. We aim to expand understanding of urban life, social
and political structures, design, and history across diverse sites and scales. We encourage
projects with an interdisciplinary dimension and/or a pedagogical component that generates
materials for teaching, exhibitions, publications, and/or digital platforms. Collaborative projects
that bring together faculty and students from across the university to develop new cross-
disciplinary approaches to the study of urban environments, societies, and cultures are most
welcome.
Projects can be conducted in Fall of 2025 and into Spring 2026. Project deliverables are due by
April 30, 2026. Funding is limited to $3,000 per project. Budgets can include hourly compensation
to students. All successful applicants will be expected to share some version of their project on
the HMUI website.
To apply please submit a one-page proposal, CV, and budget to hmui@harvard.edu. We encourage
applicants to submit proposals ahead of the deadline, as they will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
This includes grants for programming scheduled for the regular Academic Year.