• A narrative of explaining the proposed project’s focus, contributions to the applicant's field, methods and sources.
• An itemize budget, explanation of costs.
• Reasonably expected outcomes, including publications, fellowships, performances, and/ or grant sought.
• Abbreviated (two-page) curriculum vitae. 
• Where applicable, the proposal should also include an account of the current Taft Departmental Allocation Research Support balance and commitments, from either the applicant or the department head.

• Full disclosure of non-Taft funds received for the proposed project, including those from within the university. A Taft grant may not duplicate other funds granted for the same purpose, except when project costs exceed outside awards.
• Where deviations from the approved application occur, the grantee must notify the Taft Faculty Chair in writing and receive written approval for the changes. Failure to comply with this rule will nullify the grant and require return of the award.
• Publications and creative work generated with the help of Taft grants should acknowledge the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center.
• A travel authorization request must be submitted via Concur and approved prior to travel.

Applications must include the following:

• Seminar name, proposed date, brief description of the proposed seminar, justification of the seminar as an important intellectual exercise of discovery set in the context of disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary trends, including a statement on the relevance of the seminar to advancement of departmental and/or interdisciplinary goals (e.g., programs, research focus, grant-writing); and
• A list of the committed UC participants and an explanation of the relevance of the seminar for specific seminar participant’s research agendas; and
• An organizational plan of meetings; how the seminar will be conducted; and, how the release money will be apportioned based on college adjunct rates; and
• Anticipated outcomes of the seminar; and
• Syllabus for the seminar; and
• The name, title, and a brief description of each invited facilitator, and a letter of commitment; and
• Abbreviated (two-page) curriculum vitae of each invited facilitator; and
• A letter of support from the applicant’s department head, assessing the merits of the proposal project and the department’s commitment; and
• A budget indicating how the grant is to be used, including honoraria, accommodations, food, and other possible hosting costs.

Seminars should afford significant, sustained interactions between the visiting scholar(s) and UC faculty and students. Proposals may include a single sustained engagement for a visiting scholar or several shorter engagements, with multiple scholars; and may also include (though not exclusively) remote participation. Seminars must not be a mere series of lectures. Seminar proposals will be evaluated according to the following:

• Seminar design, length of stay, likely outcomes; and
• The contribution of the proposed seminar to participating faculty and student research and professional development, and the field; and
• The conceptualization and organization or the proposed seminar; and
• The scope of the seminar in terms of participants, impact on disciplinary or interdisciplinary activities in the Taft departments, and interdisciplinary appeal of the visiting scholar; and
• The proposed visiting faculty and their likely contribution to the seminar, UC, and the Cincinnati community.

• Each award category for Research Support has distinct funding caps. Cumulatively, no faculty member may receive more than $100,000 in Research Support awards during a five-year period. If several faculty members submit a joint request, they may apportion the cost of the award among themselves in any manner they choose. If they do not indicate an apportionment, it will be assumed that the cost is to be apportioned equally among all faculty listed on the proposal.
• Faculty organizers are responsible for securing any needed accommodations for the visiting scholar, including food and temporary insurance, for the duration of their stay in Cincinnati.
• Taft Research Seminars are not to be used as a means of creating an adjunct position for the department.
• All grant funds must be expended exclusively in furtherance of the grant and all expenditures of grant funds must comply with university policies relating to financial transactions, including the Code of Conduct and, as discussed in the Code of Conduct, the ethics laws of the state of Ohio which prohibit certain private financial interests in university matters. University Rule 3361:10-17-03 (D).
• The designated convener will be responsible for organizing and running the seminar on a regularly scheduled basis.
• The convener is the principal liaison with the facilitator and is responsible all aspects of the facilitator’s stay in Cincinnati.
• Publications and creative works generated by faculty organizers, as a result of the funded event(s), should acknowledge the Charles Phelps Taft Research Center.
• Should the visiting guest stay with a family member or a UC faculty member, the guest is eligible to receive up to $25 per day, reimbursed to the visitor, provided that a note of explanation is submitted at the time of the initial payment.

Applications must account for the current Taft Departmental Allocation Research Support balance and commitments. For purchases above $2,000 or where the Taft Departmental Allocation Research Support fund has been exhausted, faculty may apply to the Collections Purchase competitive program without additional departmental commitment. A department which has not yet otherwise committed its current Taft Departmental Allocation Research Support is expected to contribute to the purchase.

Applications must include the following:

• A narrative of no more than 1000 words, which explains the potential uses of the materials for research purposes in the applicant's discipline and related Taft disciplines. Details should be given concerning:
  • The likely use of the material for research by faculty members or students. When appropriate, list other faculty who would benefit specifically and explain the connection between the material and their research, (additionally the proposal may address secondary use for course work by graduate or undergraduate students);
  • How the material would complement existing holdings at UC libraries or in the department;
  • The location of the nearest library containing the requested materials, if applicable;
  • Indicate where the materials will be located and the rationale for that location.
• All applicants requesting material purchases (books, data sets, etc.) must address the current availability of that material. Due diligence in determining whether or not the material is currently available is expected and should be reported. Applicants requesting library purchases should provide documentation that the library does not currently own the material in any format, including Ohio-link or other access; or document that the proposed format will greatly enhance their ability to use the materials; and
• Budget with justification for the cost of the purchase, the cost advantage of ownership, and also specify non-Taft resources that have been committed, if any. Library-held purchases should be supplemented with Library funds. Alternative funding levels or payment plans may also be suggested; and
• The Taft Departmental Allocation Research Support balance and commitments for each sponsoring department must be provided; and
• Applicants must include a letter from a library bibliographer, which speaks to the anticipated use of these materials in research (and teaching) and the value of the material to the collection at the University of Cincinnati; and
• An abbreviated (two-page) curriculum vitae for each faculty researcher supporting the application; and
• Copies of any relevant supporting materials, e.g. descriptive information from a book publisher or a software vendor.