The University of Arizona Libraries are excited to announce a call for proposals for grant awards that focus on the U.S.-Mexico borderlands, data storytelling, open access through digital publishing, and library services. Proposals must be related to humanities and humanistic social sciences-based research.

The competitive awards for these projects are funded by a $750,000, three-year grant the library received from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The application deadline is March 5, 2021, for the first round of proposals. The project plans to solicit proposals for a second round of funding in November, 2021.

Recognizing that the University of Arizona is a national leader in U.S.-Mexico borderlands research and scholarship, the library invites proposals that support this distinctive work across the campus. By integrating the University Libraries’ services, collections, and expertise, the project provides opportunities for the library to explore where researchers are regarding data storytelling and digital scholarship and investigate changes that will meet their needs. 

“We’re interested in collaborating with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines to learn what they can do with their research now, as well in the future,” said Shan Sutton, dean of University Libraries. “Together, we can contribute even more to the university’s commitment to borderlands research and amplify the voices of underrepresented and marginalized communities.” 

A total of four grants—up to $60,000 for each University of Arizona research team selected—will be awarded. The principal investigator must be a full-time University of Arizona employee with an appointment that extends past the period of the grant.

The principal investigator and co-investigators for this project are Shan Sutton, dean of University Libraries (PI); Verónica Reyes-Escudero, head of Special Collections (co-PI); and Megan Senseney, head of the Office of Digital Innovation and Stewardship (co-PI).

Visit the Digital Borderlands Project for more details.