CRITICAL FUTURES, 2026–2028

The HRC's two-year-long theme to think with, through, and beyond Critical Futures—imagining together how critical humanistic and artistic inquiry can illuminate and build what lies ahead, and reframe the urgencies of the present.

Critical Futures Grant Program (2026–2028 HRC Theme)

Deadline: Monday, October 27, 2025, 11:59 PM

The Humanities Research Center invites proposals for interdisciplinary events, workshops, artist projects, exhibitions, reading groups, research labs, collaboratories, and other innovative projects that engage with the 2026-2028 HRC theme of Critical Futures. Among the questions the theme seeks to address are the following:

What does it mean to think critically about the future? Not simply to imagine a horizon of possibility but to interrogate how futures are constructed, for whom, and at what cost?  How, today, can we imagine possible tomorrows when the future itself appears under assault, even critically endangered, in the present? And how might the tools of critique and creativity, and the critical study of diverse future imaginaries, work together to resist foreclosed horizons

Potential Project Types
The HRC welcomes proposals for diverse project formats that engage with the theme, including but not limited to:

  • Innovative workshops and symposia that bring together multiple perspectives
  • Reading groups open to participation across disciplines
  • Multi-format conferences that combine panels, workshops, and public engagement
  • Artist projects and exhibitions that explore creative practice
  • Cross-disciplinary labs that foster experimental approaches and collaboration in research
  • Creative collaborations, including limited-run joint publications, podcasts, or artistic initiatives
  • Public-facing events that engage broader audiences
  • Visiting lectures that bring distinguished scholars and artists to campus

We encourage applicants to consider innovative formats that stimulate interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration.

GUIDELINES

Please read the following guidelines clearly, as they spell out considerations that will impact selection.

Eligibility
Faculty, postdoctoral associates, post-MFA fellows, and PhD students in the School of Humanities are eligible to apply. Collaborations across departments within the School of Humanities are strongly encouraged.

Applications with at least one applicant within the School of Humanities will be prioritized. Faculty outside the School of Humanities may apply, but the proposal must either have a School of Humanities co-PI or address how the project will involve Humanities faculty, postdoctoral associates, and/or graduate students.

Preference will be given to:

  • Interdisciplinary projects that bridge multiple fields or approaches
  • Cross-unit applications with co-PIs from different departments or schools
  • Projects that involve both faculty and graduate student participation
  • Public-facing initiatives that engage broader audiences
  • Innovative project formats that move beyond traditional academic presentations
  • Projects that demonstrate creative engagement with the theme
  • Applications that demonstrate buy-in/cost-sharing from several units

Multi-disciplinary applications across schools are encouraged; in such cases, a Humanities faculty member, postdoctoral associate, or PhD student must serve as the lead applicant. Applications across schools should pursue cost-sharing with the partner school.

Parameters for Reading Groups
For reading group proposals, be realistic with expectations about how often people will meet. Given the various demands that faculty, postdoc/post-MFA fellows, and graduate students face, weekly meetings are rarely feasible, for example. Please ensure you include a tentative list of participants (confirmed and/or potential) and their affiliations in your project description, and be realistic about cost estimates.

Proposal Guidelines
All applications must include:

  1. Names of all PIs
  2. Project title
  3. Project type (event, workshop, artist project, reading group, research lab, exhibition, or other project type)
  4. Project description and budget as a single PDF (no more than 3 pages or 10MB)

Project Description (no more than 750 words)
Include the following information:

  • Project overview with clear explanation of format and goals
  • Engagement with the theme
  • Interdisciplinary and/or collaborative elements
  • Envisioned audience for the project (faculty, grads, undergrads, the wider public, etc.) and plans for engagement
  • Whether you are planning for an in-person or remote event
  • Projected event date(s)
  • Names and departments/affiliations of confirmed and/or potential participants/collaborators

Budget Requirements
Your budget must indicate:

  • Anticipated use of the requested funds with a detailed breakdown
  • All funds sought or secured from other sources
  • Requested amount from the HRC

IMPORTANT: Budget Compliance Required
All budgets must adhere to HRC budget guidelines. Please consult the HRC budget guidelines document at https://rice.box.com/s/yz00vaak56nkfbuq93c5qf5tbrxla7sb (Rice login required).

Proposals that do not follow budget guidelines may not be considered for funding. Exceptions to guidelines require prior discussion with the HRC Director and/or Associate Director and explicit justification in your proposal.

The HRC will not provide funding for budget items that do not adhere to these guidelines. Non-compliant proposals may receive reduced funding or require budget revision before award.

Please see the Rice Global Paris Center budget template for a spreadsheet to help you develop your budget: https://rice.app.box.com/s/q4dm45kgyv470ibmf6p3x860081qv0gp.

Funding Information
The HRC generally makes awards of up to $5,000. Under exceptional circumstances, the HRC will consider higher award amounts up to a maximum of $10,000.

Budgets should consider that HRC funds support numerous projects and events each academic year and are in high demand. Award amounts will depend on:

  • The scope, size, reach, and/or impact of the proposed project or event
  • The strength and innovation of the proposal
  • Engagement with the theme
  • The application pool and availability of funds
  • Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration and/or public engagement

Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek funding from units across campus in addition to any requests made to the HRC. Faculty applicants for larger projects should consider funding from Creative Ventures. The HRC also maintains a spreadsheet listing other Rice funding opportunities for faculty and graduate students in the School of Humanities: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14nlGuihcY4T4Pq6GDE4QXKIPfxOiGg07OZ-uAkl9xFI (Rice login required).

Graduate Student Requirement: Faculty Endorsement
If submitted by a graduate student, the application should also include a faculty endorsement.

Endorsement from a faculty member describing the value of the proposed project for the scholarly and professional advancement of the graduate student(s), and indicating their willingness to advise the project (brief statement).

It is the responsibility of graduate student applicants to ensure that their sponsoring or endorsing faculty member submits the endorsement to the Box folder by the application deadline.

The faculty member endorsing this proposal should upload their endorsement letter to the following Box folder by the application deadline: https://rice.app.box.com/f/4f2b64aadc58413ebaaa174e65405534.

Administrative Requirements and Staff Support
For Faculty and Postdoctoral Associates
The HRC does not administer grants, and we currently cannot offer staff support for faculty and postdoc applications. Applicants must submit a staffing plan outlining which staff member(s) will provide administrative support for the grant and the event (via the proposal submission form). You must also secure approval from the head of the staff member's unit (e.g., department chair) to use the staff member's time toward the proposed project. Awarded projects will have an internal project set up, and funds will be disbursed upon the awardee's report submission within 30 days of project completion.

For Graduate Students
The HRC offers limited staff support for graduate student projects. You have two options for administrative support:

  • Option 1: Request HRC Staff Support
    If you would like to request limited staff support from the HRC, please specify in your staffing plan what type of assistance you need (e.g., payment processing, vendor coordination, event logistics support). HRC staff support is limited and will be allocated based on project needs and availability.
  • Option 2: Secure Departmental Staff Support
    If you prefer to work with departmental staff, you must submit a staffing plan outlining which staff member(s) will provide administrative support for the grant and the event. You must also secure approval from the head of the staff member's unit (e.g., department chair) to use the staff member's time toward the proposed project, and provide written confirmation of this approval.

Application Deadline
Monday, October 27, 2025, 11:59 PM

APPLICATION FORM


https://forms.gle/8HhkZuyKUmG7QgvJ7

Questions? Contact Dr. Gabriela Garcia at gabriela.garcia@rice.edu.