IRIS Graduate Student Summer Fieldwork Award

In collaboration with the Black Languages, Arts, and Culture Foundation (BLAC Foundation), IRIS is pleased to offer a $1,000 supplemental grant to students pursuing international field research in the global south on topics related to art, language, or culture. After reading the BLAC Foundation’s mission statement on its website – www.blacfoundation.org – those interested should indicate that they wish to be considered for this additional funding. Note that awardees will be required to submit a 3-page paper detailing their activities and accomplishments abroad no later than 30 days after their return to the US for posting on the BLAC Foundation website. Applicants for research on musical traditions in Equatorial Guinea will receive priority consideration.

Application Deadline:

The application period for the 2025 awards has closed. The deadline to submit an application was 11:59 pm on Friday, February 14, 2025.

Application Procedure:

Complete the online application form and upload an application packet as a single pdf. Your application packet should include the following:

1. a project statement (1,000-word maximum): statements should clearly address the specific work applicants intend to undertake during their time abroad as well as how the proposed fieldwork fits an applicant’s overall research plan and prior experience in the country/region;
2. brief curriculum vitae (2 pages maximum)
3. a copy of your UW-Madison student record/transcript and, if appropriate, graduate transcript/s for courses taken at other institutions. Unofficial transcripts are fine.
4. proposed budget: please format the budget like the example below. If total costs exceed $3,000, please describe other funding or your plan to secure funding. Students with existing funding are eligible to apply and will be given full consideration. Briefly explain why additional funding is needed.

Students should seek input from their advisors prior to submission. The advisor must submit an approval form* before the deadline.

*About the Advisor Approval Form
This form replaces the need for a formal letter of recommendation and is designed to:

1. Encourage students to discuss their proposals with their advisors prior to submission;
2. Ensure that student proposals are evaluated on their merit instead of on the merits of the accompanying recommendation letters; and
3. Reduce administrative burdens

UW-Madison Travel Policy precludes university-affiliated student travel to locations that are under a current U.S. Department of State (DoS) Level 3 or Level 4 advisory designation, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Warning Level 3 notice, and locations specifically designated as a “Travel Warning” location by the Provost. To read this policy and potentially request a waiver, see information on UW-Madison International Safety and Security website. Students hoping to travel to a location currently under a travel advisory are allowed to apply for a IRIS Fieldwork Award but it is the responsibility of awardees to secure any necessary waivers via the UW-Madison’s international travel policy. Notice that the above information applies to your planned travel if any part of your itinerary takes you through an area that is under a travel advisory. Also, please note that health insurance is required per UW policy and proof of coverage will be required of awardees. Questions regarding the UW-Madison travel policy should be directed to Ron Machoian, the UW-Madison ISSD, who can be contacted at ronald.machoian@wisc.edu, or at 608.890.2446.