Leadership Research

The Bauer Leadership Center supports leadership research and scholarly activities by providing tools and resources that allow our faculty to remain at the forefront of research excellence.

Leadership Research Grants

In the fall of 2024, the Bauer Leadership Center awarded nine grants for over $60,000 to individuals across the university to support new or existing research that provided new insights into leadership, influence, character, and/or purpose. The Center welcomed proposals from researchers across all departments, divisions, and schools of the University. They supported research using any empirical method, whether quantitative or qualitative.

This fall of 2025, we are opening another cycle for funding around leadership research. For the criteria and process for selecting recipients, and to apply, please visit our Research Grants portal. Questions about the opportunity and process for application should be directed to the Bauer Leadership Center (bauerleadership@wustl.edu).

Application Close Date: January 15, 2026

Leadership Curriculum Initiative Grants

To date, the Bauer Leadership Center (BLC) and the Bauer Leaders Academy (BLA) have partnered to support curricular innovations in fourteen undergraduate courses across the University. These courses span disciplines and content areas, illustrating how purpose-driven leadership is relevant to all WashU students, irrespective of their specific majors or areas of interest. The BLA and BLC remain committed to investing in curricular innovations across the University.

Our collaboration offers seed grants of $2500 to support innovations in coursework pertaining to the development of purpose-driven leaders of character and capability. Innovations can be within existing courses or in the form of new coursework. All full-time faculty or staff who teach courses are eligible to apply for a seed grant. Grants are available for courses across the University campuses for both undergraduate and graduate courses. For the criteria and process for selecting recipients, and to apply, please visit our Curriculum Initiative Grants portal. Questions about the opportunity and process for application should be directed to the Bauer Leaders Academy (leadersacademy@wustl.edu).

Application Close date: November 30, 2025