Small groups of faculty or of faculty and students that bring together people from various departments with shared scholarly interests can apply to the Center for awards of up to five hundred ($500) dollars per year to support focused discussion, presentations, and research in the humanities. The funds may be used for purchase and duplication (as well as translation or transcription) of materials, costs connected with meetings, electronic search fees, etc. Other budget categories may be proposed according to the specific nature of a project, and additional funds may be requested for special projects (such as visiting speakers, film costs, etc.).

Working group awards may be used either to assist a group already established or to start a new group. Proposals will be evaluated according to this distinction. An established group should provide a brief description of its history and membership, and identify how the award would improve its activities. A new group should provide a brief description of its reason for convening, the obstacles and opportunities facing it, and its plans for development of the group and the research project. Generally, the Board will be more interested in funding new groups, but more willing to make larger awards to established groups.

All proposals for funding should consist of: a description of the project (including the items suggested above), the interests of the organizers, and the activities planned; an account of the categories and amount of funding sought; the Center's standard application form. A brief report, including an accounting of all expenses, is to be submitted to the director by June of the following year.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss drafts of their proposals with the director prior to submission to the Board.