Frequently Asked Questions
Does an institution need to be invited to apply?
An invitation is not required to apply through our online portal; however, institutions should review the eligibility criteria and program documents before applying. Institutions must be invited to submit full proposals for the second phase of the competition.
We had a previous Clare Boothe Luce award. Are we eligible to apply?
Current CBL grantees may only submit a new application after the current grant has been officially closed. Institutions with a prior CBL award may only apply for a new grant three years after the award of their most recent grant (i.e., institutions that received CBL awards in 2021 or later are not eligible to apply for the 2024 competition).
Does the Clare Boothe Luce Program make awards directly to individuals (i.e., students and faculty)?
No, the Clare Boothe Luce Program makes grants only to U.S.-based, four-year degree-granting institutions, not directly to individuals. If you are a student, please check with your college or university to see if it has a Clare Boothe Luce grant.
Does the Clare Boothe Luce Program make awards to community colleges?
No, the Clare Boothe Luce Program only gives grants to 4-year degree-granting institutions.
Does an institution have to be top-ranked or an R-1 to apply for a CBL Program grant?
No, the Clare Boothe Luce Program awards grants to a range of 4-year institutions that have demonstrated a solid commitment to the support of women in STEM.
Why are Catholic Institutions encouraged to apply?
According to Ambassador Luce’s bequest, at least 50% of the Program’s awards will go to Roman Catholic colleges or universities, including awards to the Designated Institutions.
What fields are supported by the Clare Boothe Luce Program?
Women are supported in the physical sciences, such as chemistry and physics, and in computer science, biology, mathematics, and engineering. Medical, social, and behavioral sciences are excluded.
Does the CBL program fund postdoctoral fellowships?
Actually, although the Clare Boothe Luce program pilot tested postdoctoral fellowships several years ago, the Program has yet to make plans to support them. If that should change in the future, the CBL program webpage will be updated to reflect this.
Is there a limit to the number of Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Professors that can be supported?
No, institutions can propose supporting as many students and faculty with CBL funds as possible.
May Clare Boothe Luce grant funds be used for international travel or study abroad?
Clare Boothe Luce funds may only be used for domestic study and travel. Clare Boothe Luce’s will expressly prohibits this.
Can freed-up funding support capital or building projects?
The Foundation does not support capital or building projects, and thus freed-up funding cannot be used in this capacity.