By Whitney Hale

(Feb. 16, 2016) — The University of Kentucky Confucius Institute (UKCI) is currently taking applications for faculty grants that help fund China-focused academic endeavors. Applications for 2016 spring and summer grant proposals are due Monday, Feb. 22.

"This is UK Confucius Institute's effort to support faculty in their China-related research and travel. We are offering a wide range of grants for travel and course development. I hope faculty will take advantage of these funds to advance their research and course development on China-related topics," said Huajing Maske, director of UKCI and executive director of the Office of China Initiatives.

Funded through the institute, the UKCI faculty grant provides UK faculty members with financial support toward international and domestic travel for China-related conferences, research, course field trips or curriculum development. The type, number and amount of grants to be awarded are as follows:

· International Travel Grant - Six $2,500 grants supporting UK faculty travel internationally for China-related conferences (must be speakers) and research.

· Domestic Travel Grant - 10 $1,500 grants supporting UK faculty travel within the continental U.S. for China-related conferences (must be speakers), to conduct China-related research or field trips with students (ex. museum visit, etc.).

· Curriculum Development Grant - 10 $1,000 grants to integrate perspectives from China into courses and programs that do not already include this aspect.

Faculty can only be awarded one category of these faculty grants each academic year. Funds must be used in accordance with standard UK funding policies. To be eligible to apply for a UKCI faculty grant, applicants must be full-time faculty who teach at least one course at UK.

Faculty wishing to apply for a UKCI grant should complete the application form here. Applicants must include the following:

· curriculum vitae;

· proposal narrative;

· information on improvement or knowledge to be gained from grant;

· official conference/program invitation (if applicable);

· an administrative recommendation;

· all additional information relevant to the proposed research/conference/field-trip/curricular development; and

· a proposed budget.

The UKCI Steering Committee’s grant subcommittee will evaluate all proposals and make the final decisions regarding the awards. Awards will be announced March 15.

A gateway for Chinese language, culture and art to the people of Kentucky, the UK Confucius Institute provides leadership, support and coordination for Chinese language and programs in K-12 schools as well as on UK's campus; assists and facilitates establishing and maintaining faculty and student exchanges between UK colleges and Chinese universities; conducts Chinese language and cultural exchange; and promotes education about China on campus, across the Bluegrass region, and throughout the Commonwealth.

For more information on the UK Confucius Institute's faculty grants, contact Huajing Maske, director of UKCI and executive director of the Office of China Initiatives, at huajing.maske@uky.edu.