The Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute's (ISI) Interdisciplinary Training Workshop program sponsors faculty-led sessions that spark transformative learning for faculty and students alike.
These hands-on workshops offer a structured, collaborative space to explore new research methodologies, tools, and experiments across disciplines, developing skills that reshape how scientific questions are approached. Through case studies, collaborative projects, and methodological exercises, participants think differently, integrate diverse perspectives, solve complex problems, and build interdisciplinary toolkits that lead to insights no single field could achieve alone.
About the Workshops
Award amount: Each faculty leader will receive up to a $4,000 stipend. Each workshop may receive up to $3,000 for materials and supplies, and $1,000 for food and drinks to support collaborative sessions.
Application deadline: January*
Decisions announced: March
Funding timeline: Funding begins in the summer. Workshops may run through the academic year or summer.
If you would like to suggest a workshop topic or recommend a faculty member to lead a workshop, please contact Institute Director Ahmet Ay.
*Picker ISI follows the Research Council’s grant submission deadline.
Proposal Guidelines
Faculty can apply or be nominated for this award:
- Who may apply: Tenured or tenure-track faculty from Colgate or external institutions who demonstrate the expertise and commitment to guide an interdisciplinary training workshop are eligible. The work must integrate at least two distinct disciplines, broadly defined. Up to two leaders per workshop.
- Who can be nominated: The Picker ISI Executive Advisory Committee may also directly invite faculty and select a topic for the workshop.
- Work that clearly supports the Picker ISI mission and goals.
- Projects should have the potential for sustained impact beyond institute funding (e.g., peer-reviewed publications, external grant funding, or an ongoing contribution to the curriculum).
- The proposal should include a training plan that will advance the participant's scholarship via new methods, data, or perspectives.
- Student involvement that enhances interdisciplinary learning and raises student awareness of the University’s interdisciplinary science programs.
- The proposed project should be one in which satisfactory progress would not be possible through other Colgate funding sources, including departmental or Research Council funds.
- The Executive Advisory Committee may prioritize projects that support the institute's mission and goals the most, and those of faculty members who have not received this funding in recent years.
How to Apply
Write for a broad interdisciplinary audience. Be clear, concise, and concrete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. To ensure fairness, the use of generative AI tools is not permitted in the preparation of this proposal.
Proposals should include:
- Cover page: Workshop title and faculty leader(s): name(s), affiliation(s), and contact information.
- Project summary. 150–200 words: Outline the workshop's goals, disciplines involved, and anticipated faculty and student outcomes.
- Project narrative, less than 500 words. Describe the workshop's central theme, interdisciplinary scope, and training goals. It should explain the structure and activities of the workshop, the expertise involved, and how the the experience will benefit participating faculty and students through interdisciplinary skill.
- Timeline, one page: Provide workshop dates, session cadence, preparatory milestones, delivery plans, assessment steps, and completion date. A typical workshop should include approximately 20 contact hours with students and faculty.
- Detailed budget: Itemize by category using actual costs; tie each line to the plan. View the Colgate grant budget guidelines, and use actual costs.
- CV of faculty leader(s), two to three pages each: SciENcv or similar format that includes personal and professional information such as education, employment, scientific appointments, honors, grants, publications, research products, and synergistic activities.
- Supporting letters or other documents, less than five pages.
- Previous Picker ISI support and other funding: List prior Picker ISI awards, including outcomes, and any current or pending internal or external funding relevant to this project.
Formatting tips: Use Times New Roman, 12-pt font with standard margins. (References are separate.) Single-spaced text is acceptable, provided it has clear headings. Combine all materials into a single PDF, if possible.
- Proposals are reviewed by the Picker ISI Executive Advisory Committee, with recommendations subject to approval by the dean of faculty/provost and the president.
- Post-award budget changes exceeding 10% of the ISI-awarded total require prior approval from the Picker ISI director.
- Submit a one- to two-page final report within four months of completion.
- Grant recipients and participants should acknowledge Picker ISI support in related presentations and publications. Sample language: “This research and related work were supported by the Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute Interdisciplinary Training Workshop program at Colgate University.”
Contact Us
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with Institute Director Ahmet Ay prior to submission to ensure alignment with program goals.
Have an idea or need more information on Interdisciplinary Training Workshops? Reach out to any member of the Executive Advisory Committee or the Picker ISI director to discuss your proposal.