Advancing Social Science Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The Center for Social Science Innovation (CSSI) is the University of Iowa’s only Iowa Board of Regents approved premier interdisciplinary social science research center.

CSSI provides faculty, staff, students, and community members across the state of Iowa and beyond the resources and support they need to investigate the most important issues facing our society.

6 +

research incubation programs hosted annually
Researchers sit around a table

$26.9 M

In funds awarded in the
past five years
Old capitol building with flowers

80 +

Research projects supported in the past five years
2024 Summer Program cohort.

We're here to help

CSSI provides research and grant development support for University of Iowa faculty, staff, and graduate students, as well as external partners within the community. 

From survey creation and distribution, data access and management, to helping you craft a competitive grant proposal, our team is ready and capable to assist you with all of your project needs.

Explore current and past projects 

 

Brian Ekdale and Mainul Islam consultation

Research Services

Browse our research services to learn how we may be able to help support your project. 

Kris Ackerson and Bingbing Zhang talk

Grant Development

Identify suitable funding opportunities, craft a competitive proposal, and more with the help of our grant development support staff.  

Events and Workshops

How to Get Your Research Published in The Conversation with Dr. Kristy Nabhan-Warren promotional image

How to Get Your Research Published in The Conversation with Dr. Kristy Nabhan-Warren

Wednesday, December 2, 2026 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Social Sciences Research Building
This workshop focuses on how to pitch your research to The Conversation US (TCUS), the "world's leading publisher of research-based news and analysis." The goals for this workshop are three-fold: 1) To demonstrate why writing for The Conversation is an excellent way to raise awareness of your research; 2) To have you work on your TCUS author profile; and 3) To work on crafting your article pitch. Participants are asked to bring their laptops and to be ready to work! Refreshments will be provided.