Travel Grants

The Center for Industry Studies provides small grants for travel to support research projects that include factory and site visits as a significant component of empirical research. Funds from this program may be used in proposal development or as cost sharing for research financed from other sources. Requests for support under this program may be brief (1-2 pages), but they should explain the nature of the scholarly contribution and describe the role of field research in context of the methodologies employed.

Support by the Center for Industry Studies is multi-disciplinary and spans a broad range of scholarship that is focused on manufacturing industries, service industries, and activities in non-profit sectors. Research in industry studies is characterized by the work of scholars who make a substantial time investment to learn about the particular institutional and technical details of an industry through direct observation and interaction with people in the industry. The analysis is informed by visits to plants, firms, or worksites, regardless of whether the empirical basis for analysis may be primary or secondary data. In some cases field work may be necessary in order to conduct interviews or collect primary data. In others, the purpose will be to gather and assess qualitative information so as to better appreciate the context for understanding secondary data. In all cases, the goal is to deepen understanding of related institutions and markets.

Eligibility: This grant program is open to regular full-time faculty members at the University of Pittsburgh in the tenure stream, regardless of rank.

Response and inquiries: Direct all correspondence to Frank Giarratani, Director. Center for Industry Studies, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA 15260. Tel.: 412-648-1741.