Publication & Performance Subvention Fund

The College of Arts and Sciences (ArtSci) encourages faculty to disseminate their research products and creative outcomes via peer-reviewed books (monographs) or the production of original recordings, artwork, or performances. 

A subvention is an extraordinary circumstance in which additional funding is necessary to complete a project that will bring considerable benefit to a faculty’s reputation. At times, a publisher may request a “publication subvention” (sometimes called a “book subvention”) from the author to help offset publication costs. A subvention is often applied towards the publication costs such as rights for images, color printing, copyediting, open access, indexing, and marketing initiatives. For recordings, artwork, and/or performances, subvention funds may also be necessary due to the high cost of materials, recording time, performance costs, and other realities.

As part of its support for faculty excellence, ArtSci awards subvention funding on a limited, competitive basis through application. ArtSci subvention funding is up to $2000. A contribution from another source (department, external grants, USU Libraries, etc.) is highly encouraged. ArtSci subventions will not exceed 1/3 of the total cost to publish, record, transport, or purchase materials.

Eligibility to Apply

  • Faculty must be housed in ArtSci and be tenure-track or tenured.*
  • The publication/performance should support the faculty member’s area of excellence according to their role statement (i.e., if research is the faculty member’s area of excellence, the publication should be in support of their research agenda). 
  • Publications must be under contract and accepted for publication at the time of application.
  • Recordings, performances, and exhibits must include an agreement from the host venue.
  • Publication/performance should occur no later than 18 months following the subvention fund.
  • Faculty may receive ArtSci subvention funding once every three fiscal years (note: fiscal years start July 1 of each year).
  • Faculty with USU Office of Research Start-Up Funding must expend start-up funds prior to receiving a ArtSci subvention (can be applied towards the publication).

*Other faculty ranks will be considered as appropriate.

Eligible Publications & Costs

  • Monographs (books) that are peer reviewed at well-respected academically oriented venues.
  • Other publications as fitting with the faculty member’s expertise (could include journal articles)
  • Works of art that will position the faculty member for an exhibition, public art installation, or gallery show in a well-respected academic or professional venue.
  • Video or audio recordings with a well-respected label or distributor (rights fees, studio time, sheet music, recording costs)
  • Travel for artistic performances, especially costs for oversized items especially musical instruments and artistic pieces
  • Works in major trade presses and self-published works are not eligible.

Other costs may be deemed eligible since ArtSci faculty are engaged in a number of different activities. 

Application Process

  1.  Investigate and apply for external funding & USU Library Funding: Whenever possible ArtSci faculty should fund publication costs via external grants, contracts, and other opportunities. For certain fields, this may not always be available, suitable, or sufficient.
  2. Departmental Contribution: Department Heads will determine an appropriate departmental contribution, if any. A departmental contribution is strongly advised when budgets allow.
  3. ArtSci faculty applies to ArtSci Publication Subvention Fund. You will need to provide the following documentation in the portal (which you can receive from AD Gossard):
    1. Letter from the press or other venue on official letterhead requesting a precise dollar (USD) amount and justification for the subvention, indicating what it may be spent on. They must also include the total cost of publication or production. If not applicable, an overview of costs and process should be provided.
    2. A copy of the publication contract.
    3. A 500-word (or less) statement from the faculty member about how this publication or performance/creative work helps advance their reputation and/or trajectory in their area of excellence (typically research/creative activity). Be specific.
    4. Department Head Letter of Support that indicates what amount the department will contribute towards the subvention. Even if a department is not contributing, a letter explaining why is still needed.
    5. 2-page C.V., focused on publications
    6. If requesting open access fees for an article, faculty should submit evidence of discussing their project with USU Libraries. (This could be a short email).

Application Due Dates

Faculty should apply as soon as they receive a subvention request and their publication is under contract.

  • by December 1: for awards to be paid out during the current fiscal year (before June 30)
  • by May 1: for awards to be paid out in the following fiscal year (July 1 and after)

Applications will be considered outside of these due dates on a rolling basis, but faculty should try to meet these deadlines to assist with budgetary considerations.

Award Conditions & Deliverables

  • If accepted, the subvention fund will be paid directly to the publishing venue (press) and/or other venue. Only in rare circumstances will this be paid directly to a faculty member or reimbursed. Faculty should work with their business manager to process the publisher’s invoice and ensure payment.
  • If accepted, the publication must acknowledge on the publication page (or as appropriate) the USU College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office Publication Subvention Fund.
  • If accepted for a published work, the press and/or faculty member will provide the ArtSci Dean’s Office with 1 printed copy of the work. For digital-only works, the faculty should send the link to the Dean and the Associate Dean for Faculty Success.
  • Failure to provide acknowledgement of the subvention and/or a copy of the work (as applicable) to ArtSci may result in ArtSci recovering funds from the faculty’s department.
  • If publication/performance does not occur within 18 months after the subvention fund has been awarded, the press/venue/faculty will need to provide a letter to ArtSci that indicates the publication status.
  • If the press/venue chooses to terminate a contract and/or not publish the book after the subvention fund has been awarded, ArtSci will recover funding from the faculty’s department.

Review Criteria

Applications are first reviewed by our internal review committee who makes recommendations for funding suitability to the Dean and the Associate Dean for Faculty Success. In consultation with the Financial Officer regarding available budgets, the Dean makes final decisions on acceptance and award amounts.

The following criteria will be considered during the review:

  • Intellectual merit
  • The prestige of the publishing/performance venue with respect to the applicant’s field
  • Departmental support for the project
  • Potential for external funding
  • Benefits to the researcher as well as ArtSci and USU
  • Prior ArtSci and USU Office of Research funding
  • Prior publication/performance record and reputation

Additional Notes

Faculty may need editorial assistance prior to having their work accepted for publication at an academic venue. They should apply for a C.A.R.E. Grant in those cases.