Faculty-Driven Initiatives (FDI)
FDIs are programs that build community and scholarship on a defined topic of relevance to the humanities, arts, or social sciences.
FDIs should bring together faculty or teaching staff from multiple units across SHASS or the Institute, collaborating on a common area of study or issue.
At least one faculty lead must have their primary appointment in SHASS. The faculty leads cannot all be from the same unit, and units outside of SHASS are welcome to be involved. Larger groups of faculty (5+) actively involved in the FDI are preferred. Teaching staff and research staff are eligible to be part of an FDI. Senior Lecturers and Professors of the Practice can serve as a faculty lead.
FDIs are not curricular; they do not offer majors and minors. MITHIC is seeking proposals from existing or new FDIs to the FDI Seed Fund. The Fund will award up to $500,000 to one FDI.
Applications for the next FDI will open in spring 2026.
