This qualitative case study explored the origins, evolutions, and challenges of 12 cross-disciplinary intellectual initiatives at 1 research university. Researchers conducted open-ended interviews with leaders of the 12 initiatives and used program literature to support the data gathered from the interviews. The study found that key factors such as the passionate commitments of scholarly leaders, access to timely and multiple resources, and the presence of collegial networks help these programs successfully navigate across traditional academic boundaries. Tensions such as the conflict between traditional department structures and collegial styles of decision-making lead to some challenges related to coordination and communication, time, resources, reward structures, and leadership transition. Despite these tensions, these programs find ways to flourish, bringing in resources, and creating spaces for a critical mass of intellectual exchange. An appendix describes the programs studied. (Contains 22 references.) (Author/SLD)