De Lange Major Conference — Grant Call for Proposals

This call for proposals is open.

Proposal timeline:

  • Pre-proposals due February 14, 2025
  • Decisions on pre-proposals will be made by March 18, 2025.
  • Full proposals will be due on April 1, 2025.
  • Decisions on the full proposal will be made by April 15, 2025.

Fund information:

Pre-proposals are solicited for the next De Lange Conference, to be held during the 2025-2026 academic year.. De Lange Conferences spotlight timely, significant themes of wide interest. A budget of up to $150,000 is available for a multi-disciplinary conference capable of attracting a broad audience within the university, as well as wider participation at the local, regional, and/or national levels.

  • Past conferences have dealt with the ethics and safety of the newly emerging field of genetic engineering (Brave New Worlds), fast-changing technologies and their impact on major social institutions (Emerging Libraries), challenges to cities and urban infrastructure (Transforming the Metropolis), Teaching in the University of Tomorrow, The Future of Work and Bioelectronics, among others (a list of all De Lange conferences is available at delange.rice.edu).
  • Funds may be used to support travel, lodging, meals and honoraria for conference speakers, as well as equipment rental, live webcasting, etc. They may not be used to pay stipends or summer salary to Rice faculty or staff.
  • Administrative oversight and organizational support for the conference is provided by Scientia.

Eligibility:

Faculty, Administrative and Research staff with background relevant to the conference theme.

How to Apply:

By February 14, 2025, submit a two-page pre-proposal that includes the following information:

  • Theme of the proposed conference
  • The issues to be addressed and a brief elaboration on their significance and timeliness
  • Names of those who will serve on the planning committee (a majority must be Rice tenure-track faculty)
  • The anticipated audience (national, regional, local)
  • A preliminary list of potential internal and external participants, with a brief sentence indicating their fit to the topic. A link to an appropriate homepage can be included.

Email your pre-proposal by 5 p.m., February 14, 2025, to Adrianna Small (delange@rice.edu), Program and Events Coordinator, Scientia/De Lange Institute.

If the Conference Committee agrees that the proposed conference meets the criteria for the De Lange, you will be invited to submit a full proposal (up to 10 pages) that provides expanded details on the conference theme, possible session topics and participants, and an estimated budget.

Full proposals will be due on April 1, 2025.

For more information, questions or concerns, please contact Anthony Brandt, Director, Scientia/De Lange Institute.