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Extended Reality Creative Research Grant – Application Extended to 01/10/2025!

Frank-Ratchye STUDIO for Creative Inquiry, Askwith Kenner Global Languages and Cultures Room, CMU XRTC

Click here to Apply

 

The XRTC Creative Research Grant is a collaboration between the STUDIO, the Askwith Kenner Global Languages and Cultures Room, and Extended Reality Technology Center (XRTC).

 

Schedule:

DEADLINE EXTENDED! NEW DATE: JANUARY 10th!
Call for Projects: November 1st – January 10th
Awardees notified: By January 20th
Expected distribution of awards: By the End of February 2025

In response to all the end of year deadlines, we have pushed back the deadline to be a bit more humane. Enjoy your break and please apply!

 

 

Process:
Via this form submit all information requested below. The jury will meet in early December 2024 and select 3-4 projects with awards in the $1,000.00 – $6,000.00 range; as needed to meet the budget of each project.

 

What makes my project competitive?
This award is meant to support creative research not otherwise supported at CMU in the XR research field. Projects that bend expectations of practical applications are well suited for this award. In addition projects that have applied uses via unexpected processes would do well in this juried competition. The STUDIO supports the “atypical” and thus the often overlooked or unexpected or non-normative. Consider if your project pushes expectations, norms or is otherwise bending the rules of “common sense” and then it is likely “creative”!

 

What is the XRTC?
CMU has established a research center around the topic of Extended Reality
(XR) Technology, called the Extended Reality Technology Center (XRTC). The XRTC is housed in the School of Computer Science with dozens of faculty members working on core topics in XR. The center brings together researchers and students from all over campus through research projects, courses, capstone projects,
scholarship programs and residencies.

What is the The Askwith Kenner Global Languages and Cultures Room?
The Askwith Kenner Global Languages and Cultures Room provides an immersive space for members of the campus community and visitors to interact with each other locally and with people and places around the world. Featuring cutting edge technology, including multiple virtual reality stations and an interactive screen, visitors can explore innovative, student-led projects that showcase the importance of language learning, cultural awareness, and the global presence of Carnegie Mellon University. Multimedia creations will allow individuals to chat with merchants in other countries, visit global landmarks, and engage with traditions and historical events.
The Kenner Room hosts the Sona Immersive Storytelling Festival in which final works may be presented (if logistically possible): https://www.sonafestival.com/

What is considered XR for this process?

All topics related to creative research on XR will be considered for funding. Generally understood XR includes: Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, and other immersive forms that blend virtual and real experiences. Please feel free to expand the possibilities of XR in Arts in your application below.

Why this grant?

This grant is meant to both support and make visible creative research in the XR field.

As a new and in development site for research and collaboration the XRTC team and Kenner Room leadership reached out to the STUDIO to collaborate on an investment in Creative Research in the XR field. This is a first step in a collaboration between the Arts, Languages and Sciences within the XRTC.

Selected projects will be supported by the STUDIO and a grant advisory committee to spend down their funds, professionally document their work and publish documentation on XRTC and STUDIO platforms. In addition, supported researchers will have the opportunity to connect with the XRTC cohort thus creating transdisciplinary possibilities at the outset of this new center.

Who is eligible? 
Any CMU student, staff or faculty member currently working on a creative project in the Extended Reality field. Projects well suited for this award will be either already in process or of a size and scope that the assistance of this grant will help the project reach a state in which the work can become public. Group projects are welcome with at least one member currently enrolled or employed at CMU (outside collaborators are welcome).
Questions? Please email Director Nica Ross nross@andrew.cmu.edu