Applications are now being accepted for the Office of the Chancellor’s Pitt Seed special cycle for projects related to the prevention of sexual misconduct.

Applicants can request up to $50,000 for a project; up to $250,000 is allocated for five projects for the first cycle to ensure that selected projects are funded in January 2020.

This funding stream was announced alongside other community-driven efforts in Chancellor Patrick Gallagher’s Oct. 15 community message. The increased focus on sexual misconduct on campus comes after the release in October of the AAU campus climate survey of 33 schools on sexual assault and misconduct, which showed very little improvement on these issues at Pitt.

Proposed Pitt Seed special cycle projects can include a range of activities such as prevention education, improvement to relevant processes and communications, community partnership development, and increasing awareness of sexual misconduct issues within the University campus community.

The deadline to submit applications online is noon, Nov. 27. Full details and eligibility criteria are available on the Pitt Seed Special Cycle Competition Space. Information sessions will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 6 (121 Alumni Hall) and Nov. 14 (817 Cathedral of Learning).  RSVP online.

This rapid-fire funding cycle is open to faculty and staff. Grants administered by student government boards and earmarked for student groups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

In conjunction with the special cycle of funding, up to $100,000 will be added to the interdisciplinary Momentum Fund grants program for research associated with the prevention of sexual misconduct. Applications for Momentum Fund grants are open through the end of day Nov. 25.

Learn more about upcoming events, trainings and ways to join the conversation.