Funded Opportunities for Faculty
Since the launch of the Cohen Institute for Holocaust and Genocide Studies in September 2024, the Institute team has been working to build the infrastructure for new initiatives and for a new research division. This page details funded research opportunities available to faculty across the University System of New Hampshire. Specific details regarding each affiliate’s work/event(s) will be available throughout the academic year and shared through email, along with the Cohen Institute website and newsletter.
Call for Applications (2026-2027)
We are pleased to announce a call for the following programs that will support faculty: Cohen Institute Specialists and Cohen Institute Scholars. These initiatives provide funding and support for University System of New Hampshire faculty who are interested in planning and implementing programs and/or conducting research that aligns with the Institute’s mission.
Details pertaining to each opportunity are below. In addition, faculty selected to participate in these programs will have the opportunity to become part of a network of Cohen Institute professionals working to support one another’s creative and scholarly endeavors.
1. Cohen Institute Specialists
The Cohen Institute Specialist program is a short-term (one year with possible renewal) service opportunity that will support, amplify, and complement faculty service obligations. The program offers funding for selected faculty members to design, organize, and implement community-based programming. Specialists are expected to actively contribute to the Institute’s growth by sharing their expertise and enhancing the Institute’s public-facing work.
Cohen Institute Specialists will collaborate with Institute staff members to develop, promote, and implement at least one public-facing project or event. This may entail sharing their specialized knowledge through a workshop, lecture, or other program that is geared towards the broader public in some way. Applicants should have a specific topic and event/project in mind at the time of their application. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the Institute is especially open to proposals that align with our theme for the year: “Genocide and the Environment.” This program is a great point of entry for KSC faculty members who are interested in becoming involved with the Institute’s work and/or who have a smaller-scale project or event they would like to pilot.
Additionally, Cohen Institute Specialists are asked to serve as peer reviewers for the Institute’s educational resources, helping ensure the quality, accuracy, and effectiveness of those materials. The Cohen Institute Specialist program underscores the Institute’s commitment to fostering a dynamic, engaged academic community that directly benefits both the institution and the broader community.
The Institute plans to fund up to six Specialists during the 2026-2027 academic year. All faculty (from any department across the University System of New Hampshire) – including tenured, tenure track, and adjunct faculty – are eligible to submit an application, and funding can support up to $500 per Specialist. Funding proposals should indicate how the funds would be used (supplies, travel, a stipend for the researcher, etc.) Please see additional application details below.
2. Cohen Institute Scholars
The Cohen Institute Scholar program is a short-term (one year with possible renewal) opportunity designed to support and elevate the scholarly pursuits of University System of New Hampshire faculty. This program will empower faculty to engage in creative, interdisciplinary research and scholarly endeavors that will serve to advance academic conversations about Holocaust and genocide studies. Furthermore, Scholars will be expected to translate their scholarly work into at least one substantial public-facing event or deliverable. This event or deliverable will be designed, organized, and implemented with Institute staff input and support.
The Cohen Institute Scholars will receive dedicated funding and resources to support their innovative research during their term. Additionally, though it is not required, faculty applicants are strongly encouraged to submit proposals that include undergraduate students as research partners. Separate funding is available for student researchers through the Institute’s Student Scholar program, but we encourage proposals that support faculty-student research teams. This program encourages faculty to explore bold ideas and produce innovative work that benefits academic and local communities.
The Institute plans to fund up to two Scholars during the 2026-2027 academic year. Strong proposals will indicate how the funding will sustain research over the course of the full academic year, so faculty on sabbatical for one or more semesters are not eligible to apply. Otherwise, all faculty (from any department across the University of New Hampshire System) are welcome to submit an application, and a maximum of $8,000 in funding can be requested. Funding proposals should indicate how the funds would be used (supplies, travel, a stipend for the researcher, etc.) Please see additional application details below.
Process to Apply
Applications for both programs during the 2026-2027 academic year are due no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. If you have any questions, please email coheninstitute@keene.edu.
Applicants should submit the following:
- A project proposal (three pages maximum). The proposal should outline the project idea, rationale, implications, and connection to the Cohen Institute’s mission and/or initiatives.
- Their current curriculum vitae
- A detailed budget indicating how the funds will be utilized to carry out the project.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. All applications will be reviewed by the Director of the Cohen Institute, the Institute’s Assistant Director of Research, and other members of the Institute staff as appropriate.
Decisions will be rendered and announced by the end of the spring semester.
Questions
USNH faculty who are considering applying to one or both of these programs are encouraged to reach out to the Cohen Institute team in advance of the deadline with any questions. The best point person to answer questions about these two programs is the Institute’s Assistant Director of Research, Prof. Dana Smith.
Current and Past Affiliates
| Year and Role | Faculty Member | Project |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 Cohen Institute Scholar | Prof. Jonathan Gitelson, Department of Art and Design (Keene State College) | There/Here – A public art installation and research project on themes of home, placehood, community, and refuge in partnership with Brattleboro’s refugee community and the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center |
| 2025-2026 Cohen Institute Specialist | Prof. Philip Barker, Department of Political Science (Keene State College) | Facilitator for Critical Response Events |
| 2025-2026 Cohen Institute Specialist | Prof. Lisa DiGiovanni, Department of Modern Languages and Holocaust and Genocide Studies (Keene State College) | Book launch and facilitator of virtual event with external scholar - Part of the Gender and Genocide Series |
| 2025-2026 Cohen Institute Specialist | Prof. Ashley Greene, Department of Holocaust and Genocide Studies (Keene State College) | Facilitator for Critical Response Events |
| 2025-2026 Cohen Institute Specialist | Prof. Meg Henning, Department of Health Sciences (Keene State College) | Special Class Event – “Health, Gender, Genocide: Intersections” – Part of the Gender and Genocide Series |
| 2025-2026 Cohen Institute Specialist | Prof. Dana Smith, Department of Holocaust and Genocide Studies (Keene State College) | Film Screening with Q&A and Class Project for 999: The Forgotten Women – Part of the Gender and Genocide Series |
| 2025-2026 Cohen Institute Specialist | Prof. Christina Wright-Ivanova, Department of Music (Keene State College) | Co-Planner and Performer - 2025 Kristallnacht Remembrance |
