Although internal funds are limited, there are several sources of support to which MBC faculty have special access that may be useful in developing research, scholarly, and creative projects.
The MBC Research Initiative Fund provides support for pilot projects that are intended to develop substantial, long-term programs of faculty-student research, scholarship, or creative activity. For 2009-11, the Research Initiative Fund is being supported through a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Funds through academic year 2010-11 have been expended.
The MBC Faculty Development Fund provides support to attend meetings (MSWord) or conduct projects (MSWord) All full-time faculty are eligible; continuing part-time faculty are considered eligible in principle but in practice full-time faculty take priority and limits on funds seldom allow support to be awarded to part-time faculty requests. Requests are reviewed on an on-going basis by the School Coordinators. Maximum amounts are set by Division Coordinators at the beginning of each year based on the amount of faculty development funds available.
The VFIC Mednick Fund annually supports a $2,000 summer research fellowship for a faculty member from each of the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC) member institutions. Projects in all disciplines are eligible for support, and funds may be spent for travel, supplies, or many other research-related expenses. Funds may not be spent on stipends or wages, capital equipment, or registration fees. Because only one application per institution may be submitted, MBC conducts an internal review of applications. The internal submission date is usually in mid-February. For further information, contact Lydia Petersson, Terri Walker, or a previous Mednick recipient.
Faculty from Mary Baldwin College have special access to two programs at the National Humanities Center in Research Triangle, North Carolina . In odd years (2009, 2011, etc.) the duPont Summer Seminars Program provides the opportunity for two Mary Baldwin faculty to join colleagues from other liberal arts colleges for three-week seminars on a variety of topics. Faculty in all areas of the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences are eligible. The application deadline is generally in mid-February, and information on the year's topics is distributed through the Vice President/Dean of the College's office. The duPont Fellowships Program allows faculty the chance to apply for a year-long residential fellowship program at the Center; one of 40 fellowships each year is reserved for a member of a duPont-eligible institution. MBC faculty are eligible to apply for this program every year. The annual deadline is October 15.
