Call for proposals for OHIO–Chubu University Faculty Research Collaboration Grants

Ohio University’s Office of Global Affairs is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for OHIO–Chubu University Faculty Research Collaboration Grants.

This program advances internationally engaged research by supporting new and expanding collaborations between OHIO faculty and colleagues at Chubu University in Japan.

These grants have no fixed funding amount; however, proposals in the range of $8,000–$30,000 per year are anticipated for projects lasting one to three years.

• Deadline to apply: Jan. 16, 2026
• Submission: Via Qualtrics at this link

Strengthening a 51-year global partnership

For more than five decades, Ohio University and Chubu University have maintained a deep and wide-ranging partnership grounded in academic exchange, research collaboration and institutional friendship. The Faculty Research Collaboration Grants are a key component of this longstanding relationship, designed to invest directly in faculty research excellence across both universities.

“Our partnership with Chubu University has long been a model for how global engagement enriches academic excellence at OHIO,” said Haley Duschinski, Provost’s Faculty Fellow for International Partnerships and Programs. “By investing in new joint faculty initiatives, we are strengthening our international networks and expanding the impact, visibility, and reach of Ohio University’s scholarly and creative work.”

Purpose and expectations

The Faculty Research Collaboration Grants are designed to strengthen and expand research partnerships between Ohio University and Chubu University by supporting collaborative scholarly, scientific and creative activity across all fields. The program advances OHIO’s commitment to internationally engaged research, encourages faculty to explore new directions for joint inquiry, and helps build durable scholarly relationships between the two institutions.

Faculty applicants may come from any academic discipline, and proposals from individual faculty members or faculty teams are welcome. Projects should demonstrate clear potential for meaningful collaboration with Chubu University faculty and articulate how the partnership will enhance the excellence, visibility or impact of the research or creative work pursued.

Faculty consultations available during Chubu University visit

Faculty members are encouraged to discuss project ideas, proposal design, and collaboration strategies during the campus visit of Dr. Yutaka Hirata, Chubu University’s 2025 recipient of the Tanaka–OHIO Award for Excellence in Global Engagement. Hirata will be at Ohio University from Dec. 7–10, 2025, meeting with faculty across campus to support project development.

Proposal requirements

Faculty proposals (8-10 pages, in addition to the budget and budget justification) should outline a clear and compelling plan for collaborative research or creative activity with Chubu University partners. Each proposal must include:

• Project overview: A description of the project’s central research questions, objectives, methods and planned activities; an explanation of its significance to the discipline(s); and a discussion of how the collaboration will advance scholarly engagement between OHIO and Chubu University.
• Nature of the collaboration: A detailed account of how OHIO and Chubu faculty will work together, including plans for joint research, data collection, student engagement, co-authored publications or presentations, and/or any anticipated long-term partnership development.
• Timeline: A proposed timeline (one to three years) that identifies specific milestones and deliverables for each year of the project, including any plans for external grant submissions or continuation beyond seed funding.
• Budget and budget justification: A detailed budget outlining anticipated costs for the full project period (1–3 years), including travel, research expenses, materials, student support and other project-related expenditures. The budget justification should clearly explain how each cost supports the proposed activities and contributes to the goals of the OHIO–Chubu collaboration.

Annual benchmarks for multi-year projects

Funding for multi-year projects will be renewed annually based on demonstrated progress. Examples of satisfactory progress include, but are not limited to:

• Year 1: A formal collaboration plan, evidence of active engagement (such as virtual meetings, fieldwork initiation or data sharing) and a brief progress report.
• Year 2: A tangible scholarly output (e.g., co-authored publication, conference presentation or grant submission), evidence of undergraduate or graduate student involvement and an updated progress report.
• Year 3: A final project report and participation in a joint symposium or workshop hosted at OHIO or Chubu University.

Evaluation criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on the clarity and feasibility of their research plans; the significance and potential impact of the collaboration; the strength of partnership with Chubu University; the realism of the timeline and deliverables; and the potential for sustained collaboration or external funding.

These details ensure that funded projects demonstrate strong collaborative potential and contribute meaningfully to the long-term OHIO–Chubu partnership.

How to apply

• Submit your proposal via Qualtrics at this link

Complete program details—including proposal guidelines, deliverables for multi-year projects and evaluation criteria—are available on the program webpage.

Faculty who would like to discuss a potential project or ask questions about the program may contact Duschinski at duschins@ohio.edu.