Special Call for Proposals for Study in Cuba (check back for 2018 deadlines)

UAA Honors College (Office of Undergraduate & Scholarship) in collaboration with Ludwig Foundation of Cuba and Anchorage Museum

Resilient Communities in Transition: Imaginative Territory

The University Honors College (Office of Undergraduate Research & Scholarship) at the University of Alaska Anchorage in collaboration with the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba (located in Havana) and the Anchorage Museum is announcing a special call for proposals by undergraduate students for travel to Havana, Cuba. Students need to have the ability to envision and plan their own short-term independent research project exploring the theme of Resilient Communities in Transition: Imaginative Territory.

Deadline is January 27, 2017

Located approximately 4087 miles apart from each other, Cuba and Alaska are two communities undergoing rapid change. Alaska is facing climate and economic change. Cuba is facing social and economic change due to restored diplomatic relations with the United States. Alaska has a long history of adaptation to demanding climate and environmental conditions and economic periods of boom and bust. In our current state of change, what resilient systems may appear in the face of transition? While Cuba has long been required to adapt to shortages due to the embargo and become inventive in the face of social and political realities, what will the future look like for Cubans now? How will they face and respond to such rapid change? What similarities do both places share? Consider that both are, yet are not, locations on “peripheral edges.” What imaginative territories, spaces, places and methods of research dissemination are possible to explore?

While this project is for travel to and research in Cuba, students are encouraged to consider imaginative ideas for connections between Cuba and Alaska with the option of continuing study back here at home in collaboration with the Anchorage Museum. Proposals from all disciplines will be considered, but preference will be given to those involving artistic expression. Such proposals may be situated squarely in the fine and performing arts or may be interdisciplinary proposals such as a humanities, natural, or social sciences students exploring the role of artistic expression in dealing with cultural transitions and resiliency. Students need to have the initiative for self-study although staff with the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba will offer assistance and suggestions. Additionally UAA students will have the opportunity to interact with photography students from New York University Tisch School of the Arts on location in Havana in residence at the Ludwig Foundation. UAA faculty will also be on hand in Cuba. Fluency in Spanish is not required although it is helpful.

Proposed project dates should fall between May 15 and June 15. The project should be at least 2 weeks in length.

We are seeking proposals that address topics such as:

* Differing conceptions of resilience

* Practices developed by necessity of available resources vs. national policy decisions to manage resources

* Aspects/characteristics of strong or resilient communities and individuals

* Strength or resilience in networks, such as food, energy, communications, and the arts

* Exploration of the kinds of research that contribute to creating more resilient communities and individuals

* Artistic forms of resilience and strength

* Ways of writing, photography, expressive movement, theatre, performance, and art that help people respond to change or create solutions to problems

Dr. Jill Flanders Crosby in the Department of Theatre and Dance is available to help students develop proposal ideas for proposals and answer your questions about Cuba including how to prepare your budget. She has been traveling to Cuba since 1997 and is familiar with the Ludwig Foundation. She can be reached at jaflanderscrosby@alaska.edu

The Ludwig Foundation in Cuba will facilitate housing in double or single capacity room (according to possibilities). Proposals should include an average cost of $45 (approximately $38 per day for single, $45 for single) per day for room and board breakfast, dinner and laundry) and should be explicitly listed in the budget. Airfare through Alaska Airlines is a viable option to explore. The Ludwig Foundation will assist successful applicants with their Cuban visas. UAA faculty will assist with travel permission into Cuba.

Ludwig Foundation

The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba (LFC) is a nongovernmental, autonomous cultural institution founded in 1995 by German art collectors Peter and Irene Ludwig. Aiming to support the work of emerging artists, the LFC is positioned within the intellectual community as a leading center for creative thinking and dialogue.  Its academic, research and artistic programs approach complex social issues that can be tracked from the perspective of arts and culture.

Eligibility

Students must be accepted in an associate or baccalaureate degree program at the University of Alaska Anchorage (any campus) and must be enrolled in at least six credits each semester for the duration of the research (with the exception of the summer semester).

Funding Available

Funding for airfare will be provided along with a $1,000 stipend for expenses and up to $1500 for materials needed for research, scholarship, or creative activity.

Proposal Guidelines

Research Proposal: The project should reflect an original idea or creative endeavor that will extend knowledge in your area of interest. Your proposal should consist of the nine (9) items listed below. Please include page numbers.

1. OURS Cover sheet* – Include the project title, student’s name, and student’s signature. The faculty advisor’s name and signature should be included, certifying that they have reviewed the proposal for content and that the student is capable of performing the research or creative endeavor, and that the faculty member agrees to mentor the student for the project. The cover sheet includes a Research Integrity and Compliance checklist, which must also be completed prior to submission.  For more information on Research Integrity and Compliance at UAA, please visit www.uaa.alaska.edu/research/ric.

*Projects with more than one student investigator must complete the Application Cover Sheet for Group Projects. Projects with more than one student investigator should identify one student as the principal investigator who will take primary responsibility for overseeing the project.

2. Abstract and Specific Aims(approx 1 page) – A one paragraph summary of the project proposal, and a one paragraph summary of the project goals.
3. Introduction(1-2 pages) – A review of the literature that supports the need for your research or creative endeavor.
4. Experimental/Project Design* (1-2 pages)

• Each proposal should include a detailed description of the final form of the scholarly or creative work, and how the project will be completed including resources and methodology.

5. Anticipated Results (1 page) – Provide the reviewers with a list of the results expected.

• Proposals should include an analysis of the expected impact of the scholarly or creative work on the audience. Also discuss any problems that could hinder your creative endeavor.

6. Project Budget – We can assist with this part (allow one page for the budget and one page for budget justification) – Include the cost of personnel, supplies, equipment and travel, and a brief justification for each item. Please note the following:

• The student stipend should not be included in the project budget.
• Expenses that will not be allowed include:

                Compensation for the student’s time

                Tuition to get credit for the project

    Amounts for supplies or equipment that exceed reasonable and customary expenses Per Diem

• Equipment purchased with the grant will belong to UAA after the research is concluded.
• Proposed expenses must be in accordance with UA Policy and Regulation, and funds must be expended as specified in the proposal.
• For this reason, please be as accurate as possible in estimating your expenses. Do not over-inflate your budget; conversely, do not underestimate what your actual costs will be.
• If the project has funding from an external source outside of OURS include an appendix with information about the funding (e.g. grant proposal, contract, etc.), a short narrative that explains how the proposed project meshes with the external source, and a budget that shows what will be funded by the OURS grant and the external source.

7. Project References (1-2 pages) – Use the standard convention of discipline including the author, title of article, journal title, volume, pages, and date.

8. Project Timeline – Outline the anticipated dates of completion of various stages of project between May 15 and June 15.

April 2018 – Presentation at the Undergraduate Research and Discovery Symposium

December 15, 2017 – Expenditure deadline

December 18, 2017– Final project or report deadline

9. Appendix (up to 2 pages) – student’s résumé. (If the project has more than one student investigator, please include a résumé for each applicant.)