About J.J.
J.J. Neiman-Brown was a sweet, kind, and inquisitive child who loved gymnastics, dancing, animals, and music by Prince (whom J.J. lovingly called “my friend”). On Feb. 2, 2020, J.J. went to bed a healthy almost-three-year-old but suddenly and unexpectedly died in his sleep that night.
J.J. sparkled through his brief life. He was a happy child, brightening the day of everyone he met with his smiles, questions, and curls. Since his loss, J.J.’s parents, Maurine and Bennett, have focused on making meaning out of tragedy, working to ensure J.J.’s name lives on as a source of joy and positive change.
Maurine and Bennett know firsthand the challenges of balancing the demands of family and caretaking with an academic career. The limited caretaking infrastructure in the United States amplifies these challenges for caregiving academics. Many talented and dedicated academic caregivers have had to put their careers on hold or even had to leave higher education. The barriers to academic progression caused by caregiving are significant obstacles to providing broader access and opportunity to those most impacted.
About the Fund
The J.J. Neiman-Brown Memorial Fund supports child or other caretaking costs for University of Iowa tenured, tenure-track, and non-tenure-track faculty and postdoctoral researchers. It aims to help these caretakers stay academically and/or professionally engaged. This award is not restricted to any sex or gender.
Awards provide caregiving support for faculty/postdocs as they engage in academic or professional opportunities.
accordian - about the fund
- Attendance at a conference or other professional event
- Event where research is presented or shared
- Travel to work with collaborators, or to access field sites/resources
- University of Iowa faculty member (tenured, tenure track, instructional track, clinical track, research track) or postdoctoral scholar
- Have caregiving responsibilities for a child or loved one
- Has received less than $1000 from the Academic Caretaking Fund during the current Academic Year
Application Process
Applications can be submitted at any time for amounts up to $500, and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Applications must be received before the deadlines below to be considered for the current award cycle.
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Quarter 1: October 31
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Quarter 2: January 30
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Quarter 3: April 30
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Quarter 4: July 31
Apply for a J.J. Neiman-Brown Academic Caretaking Fund Award by completing a short form in the University's Workflow System.
Common Questions about the Fund
Examples of caretaking services include, but are not limited to:
- Childcare/adult care (daycare, babysitting)
- Home nursing costs
- Travel costs for caregiving partners (other parent, relative, babysitter, etc.)
- Products/services to facilitate separation between a caregiver and recipient (e.g., breast pump, breast milk shipping services, etc.)
Awards of up to $500 can be requested. Applicants can receive up to $1000 in funds per academic year.
The award selection committee consists of representatives from Faculty Senate, Office of the Provost, and the Council on the Status of Women.
The award selection committee reviews applications, matching eligibility criteria with need and funds available.
Applications will be responded to within two weeks of the application deadline (see “Application Process” above). Once approved, payments will be received within 1-3 weeks.
A check will be mailed to your home address. If direct deposit is preferred, applicant can contact uss-uhr@uiowa.edu to set-up.
There is no limit to how many times someone can apply, however priority will be given to new applicants. Applicants can receive up to $1000 in funds per academic year.
No, awarded funds do not need to be repaid.
Yes, awarded funds are considered taxable income.
Additional questions can be emailed to familyservices@uiowa.edu or call Family Services at 319-335-3558.
Donations can be made to the J.J. Neiman-Brown Academic Caretaking Fund here.