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Obermann Center Working Groups provide space, structure, and discretionary funding ($500 per year for 3 years) for groups led by faculty that may include advanced graduate students, staff members, and community members with a shared intellectual interest. Groups have used this opportunity to explore new work and to share their own research, to organize a symposium, and to develop grant proposals. This program allows participants from across the campus and beyond to explore complex issues at a moment when cross-disciplinary collaboration is crucial to address shifting domains of knowledge and a rapidly changing world.

Eligibility

• At least one director must be a UI faculty member (on any track) or a P&S staff member whose position focuses on research. Working Group (co-)directors may (co-)direct only one Obermann Working Group per year.
• Upper-level graduate students may serve as co-directors and participants.
• Obermann Working Groups have included graduate students, staff members, community members, and even, in some cases, long distance members who join via the internet. We welcome directors of the Working Groups to use this program to create space for inter-sectoral as well as interdisciplinary conversations.

For 2025–26, we will award 3 years of funding ($500 per year) to twelve Working Groups, who will be invited during their third year to apply for an additional two years of funding ($1,000 per year).

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on April 9, 2025. Learn more about the application process at https://obermann.uiowa.edu/working-groups-application-information.