The Gaines Center for the Humanities is excited to introduce “Gaines Humanities Cooperatives”—an initiative that fosters new and emerging working groups on Humanities-focused research, pedagogy, advocacy, and public scholarship. Envisioned as a generator of community across departments and colleges, Gaines Cooperatives assist in the formation of these university networks by providing funding, space, and other institutional support for coalescing around common interests and goals. Our pilot group this year is the Health Humanities Group, which brings together members from nine units at UK. Each cooperative is intended to promote interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary inquiry and lay the groundwork for innovative projects to advance the Humanities across campus and in the wider community. The Gaines Center will offer grants of up to $1500, to be awarded on a competitive basis.
Funds may be used at members’ discretion, subject to approval by Gaines Center administration. Examples include, but are not limited to, ordering books; providing honoraria for visiting speakers or consultants; funding travel related to the group’s focus; participating in seminars or attending conferences; organizing writing retreats; and more. The grant cannot be used for salary.
Applications for 25-26 are now closed. AY 25-26 applications will open in January 2026.
Eligibility requirements: UK faculty, staff, and graduate students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Working groups must involve a minimum of three participants from two or more departments, units, or programs at UK. The minimum number of participants must be included at the time of application, though members may be added afterward. Groups should have a strong Humanities component and demonstrate a commitment to sustained participation throughout the academic year.
Requirements at a Glance for Academic Year 25-26:
- Include a minimum of three participants from two or more departments, units, or programs at UK. Group composition can change before the fall start date.
- Designate a lead or two co-leads for the group.
- Attend an orientation in the fall.
- Meet a minimum of two times per semester.
- Limit participation to one working group per year.
- Submit an official funding request to Catherine Brereton (Catherine.Brereton@uky.edu) for approval. Please CC your department budget officer.
- No more than $200 of this budget can be allocated to food/refreshments
- Coordinate your request for funds through your department budget officer.
- Deadlines for using funds is May 1st, 2026.
- Participate in Lafayette Symposium, 4/16, 3:00-5:00 pm
- Provide a one-page report on activities at the end of the academic year—by May 18th 2026.
