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 Curriculum Initiative Grants

To support leadership across WashU, not just Olin, the BLC launched a program in 2023-2024, in partnership with the Bauer Leadership Academy, called the "Education and Research Incubator Grants" program. In this initial round, faculty from any department at WashU were invited to submit proposals to infuse purpose, values, and/or leadership into their course offerings for first-year undergraduate students.

Last year, we awarded 13 grants of $2,500 each to professors within these schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, and Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Incorporating discussions about leadership within the academic community encourages students to recognize their ability to lead, where leading is about the positive impact. 

Sample topics with a focus on self-discovery and insights:

• Purpose and its implications for one’s life and career
• Understanding and developing one’s strengths and character to grow as a leader
• Exploring leaders and the meaning for oneself
• Exploring values and how to use them to have a positive impact
• Developing ethical thinking and the capacity to use it

Leadership Research Grants

WashU Olin’s Bauer Leadership Center offered grants up to $10,000 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.

Funding applications have closed. Look for new opportunities in Fall 2025. For information for the next cycle, 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).