The Brookings Institution and Washington University’s Academic Venture Capital Fund (AVCF) is seeking proposals from fellows, faculty, staff, centers, institutes and programs at both institutions.
The purpose of the AVCF is to support collaboration between the people and programs at both Washington University and the Brookings Institution, particularly long-term projects that impact research, education and policy.
Grants are available in amounts from $20,000-$50,000. Proposals submitted by Jan. 1, 2010, will be reviewed for approval in January. Proposals submitted by June 1, 2010, will be reviewed in July.
The AVCF also offers smaller grants for events or travel by Brookings and University personnel. These proposals can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. A committee from Brookings and the University will review the proposals.
Examples of projects that have received or are eligible for AVCF funding include:
• Hosting a Brookings fellow or University faculty member as a scholar-in-residence at a school, center or program at the other institution
• Hosting an undergraduate or graduate student from any school at the University at a Brookings center or program
• Joint research by Brookings and University personnel
• Jointly sponsored conferences, symposia, workshops or projects.
The AVCF program is under the direction of School of Law Dean Kent D. Syverud, J.D., the Ethan A.H. Shepley University Professor and associate vice chancellor for Washington, D.C., programs.
The academic partnership between the University and Brookings began earlier this year. The institutions now offer joint programs, including internships, lectures and other educational activities.
The Olin Business School also leads management of the Brookings Center for Executive Education.
This semester, Melissa Waters, J.D., professor of law, is serving as a visiting Brookings fellow.
To date, more than five students from around the University have interned at Brookings, working on various public policy projects.
For more information about the AVCF grants, call Tomea Mersmann at 935-6486 or e-mail her at mersmann@wustl.edu.