The International Programs (IP) grants office assists faculty and staff in the development of grant proposals for external funding in support of their research, teaching, and service goals—especially those related to the mission of International Programs. In recent years, UI faculty received funding for a range of international programming and research activities. Such funding has been awarded from various sponsors, including the Japan Foundation, the Korea Foundation, the Knight Foundation, the Max Kade Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF).
Grant-writing assistance is offered by Ann Knudson, grants administrator, who also serves the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Office of the Vice President for Research, and the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. Her work involves assisting faculty with external grant and fellowship applications, including funding searches, reviewing guidelines, developing budgets, and ensuring compliance with both sponsor requirements and university policies. The position offers Knudson an opportunity to work with faculty from across campus who are pursuing a broad range of activities that support key missions of the university—teaching, research, and outreach. “Being a grants administrator at the University of Iowa is truly an honor,” commented Knudson. “I get to see first-hand the creativity, innovation, and commitment of our faculty to our students, our institution, our state, and the broader world. Developing and submitting grant applications takes significant time and effort, and I appreciate all of our faculty members who, out of a commitment to education, service, and the pursuit of knowledge, are willing and able to pursue grant funding.”
The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t dampened demand for her services. In fact, Knudson reports seeing an increased number of applications since the pandemic started, and this is particularly true with projects that have an international impact. “This is not only my own experience—I work closely with grant support units across campus and they are also seeing a similar trend since the start of the pandemic,” said Knudson. “While some of this might be attributed to increased COVID-related grant funding opportunities from governmental agencies and private foundations, it can also be attributed to faculty and staff members who are just stepping up in these socially and financially challenging times. I feel very lucky to be in a position where I can see the amazing work our faculty are doing every day.”
Reflecting on the impact of Knudson’s work, Associate Provost and Dean of International Programs Russ Ganim said, “Iowa faculty and staff benefit considerably from Ann’s experience with federal funding agencies. Ann assists faculty not only with budgeting, but with project goals and timelines. Ann’s extensive knowledge of faculty expertise lends an interdisciplinary and often intercollegiate perspective to the grant application process. International Programs is deeply indebted to Ann’s significant contributions in bringing extramural support to the UI, especially in the realm of the arts and humanities.”
Knudson recently supported successful grant applications for funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), including:
- A $60,000 fellowship awarded to Michaela Hoenicke Moore, associate professor in the UI Department of History
- A $150,000 Humanities Initiatives grant awarded to Matthew Brown, director of the UI Center for the Book and associate professor in the UI Department of English, and Elizabeth Yale, lecturer in the UI Department of History and an adjunct assistant professor in the UI Center for the Book
- A $149,999 Humanities Initiatives grant awarded to Kristine Muñoz, professor in the UI Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and her colleague Daena Goldsmith of Lewis & Clark College
Learn more about the International Programs grants office and grant-writing assistance.