We are pleased to invite proposals for the Inclusive History Project’s (IHP) Fund for Research and Engagement. Through this funding program, we invite people across the University of Michigan's (U-M) three campuses to join our efforts to develop deeper knowledge of U-M’s history through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens and to engage partners and audiences both on and off our campuses.
The IHP operates as a hub for a range of activities and partnerships related to its mission to produce and share an inclusive and wide-ranging history of the University of Michigan. The IHP therefore seeks to fund compelling research and engagement projects that originate outside of the IHP and advance the creation and dissemination of knowledge about the university’s past with regard to DEI. Such projects may inform future reparative actions recommended by the IHP. For more on the IHP’s mission and activities related to research, engagement, and reparative action, please see A Design for the Inclusive History Project.
We welcome proposals for a wide range of research projects, creative endeavors, and engagement activities. These may include both new ideas and existing projects that need support to complete or expand their work. In addition, successful projects that are supported by the IHP Fund may be eligible for additional funding in the future, through scaling up as affiliate project sites that operate in direct partnership with the IHP.
Faculty, staff, students, and units are invited to apply, and may apply as individuals or collaborative teams. While project leads must be currently affiliated with U-M, community partners or organizations are welcome to participate in project teams. The IHP is especially interested in projects that involve multigenerational teams, promote collaboration across units and campuses, and facilitate engagement with diverse audiences.
Two types of grants are available: mini-grants up to $3K and large grants up to $25K. For details about each grant, including eligibility and how to apply, please see below.
The proposal deadline for both types of grants is Friday, April 5, 2024, with letters of endorsement due by Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
Mini-grants are intended for undergraduate and graduate students as well as smaller-scale activities. Projects funded through mini-grants should focus on research, engagement, and/or creative practice. Examples may include (but are not limited to) histories of particular student organizations, walking tours, collections of materials, exhibitions, presentations, mini-conferences, and publications, including zines.
Who can apply
Funding guidelines
Additional guidelines
Questions?
IHP team members are available for consultations in advance of the application deadline to provide guidance and answer questions. Please email [email protected].
How to apply
To apply, please submit the following:
Large grants are designed to fund the design and implementation of new research and engagement projects related to the IHP, to support the expansion and completion of existing projects, and to catalyze projects designed to engage our campuses and local communities in learning about the university’s history of inclusion and exclusion. The IHP is interested in proposals for a wide range of projects that include research on the university’s history and engagement in some form, which may include more traditional research projects, exhibits, walking tours, performances, workshops, etc.
Who can apply
Funding guidelines
Additional guidelines
Questions?
IHP team members are available for consultations in advance of the application deadline to provide guidance and answer questions. Please email [email protected] with consultation requests and questions.
How to apply
To apply, please submit the following:
What is the difference between mini-grants and large grants?
Both seek to advance the study of U-M’s history through a DEI lens through a variety of research and engagement activities. The different funds exist to support projects of different sizes and durations, and to involve different members of our university community. Each grant has different specifications in terms of who can apply and the level of funding–check out the detailed information on each grant for that information. Briefly:
Who is eligible to apply for an IHP mini-grant?
Mini-grants are intended for undergraduate and graduate students in particular, and students can apply as individuals, teams, or registered student organizations. Staff members, tenure-track faculty, clinical faculty, librarians, archivists, and curators who are seeking funding for smaller-scale activities are also welcome to apply. We ask lecturers to apply for large grants only.
What types of projects do mini-grants fund?
IHP mini-grants can fund a wide range of projects related to learning about and communicating U-M’s inclusive history, including those involving research, activities designed to engage people in learning about the university’s past, and creative practice related to the IHP. Examples of projects could be histories of particular student organizations, walking tours, collections of materials, exhibitions, presentations, mini-conferences, and publications, including zines–but there are many others as well. If you have a question about whether the project you have in mind would be eligible for a mini-grant, we’re happy to help: reach out to [email protected].
What are eligible and ineligible expenses for mini-grant funding?
Mini-grants can cover a wide range of expenses related to projects, including costs for supplies and equipment, costs related to hosting events or conducting research, and more. Mini-grants also provide up to $1000 total for stipends that can be shared among project leaders. There’s a detailed list of eligible expenses and a budget template to use with your proposal on the “How to Apply” section above. There are some ineligible expenses, including hourly pay for student researchers on student-led projects and food and drink outside of hosting events. If you have questions about eligible expenses, email [email protected].
What are the requirements of faculty mentors and sponsors of undergraduate and graduate student applicants for mini-grants?
The first requirement is that the faculty member must write and submit a letter of support by April 9, 2024, that indicates that they are willing to work with and mentor the student or student team and that their unit agrees to be the recipient and administrator of funds on behalf of the student(s). During the project, the faculty member will help to guide the work itself, serving as a mentor, sounding board, etc., for the students involved. What this mentoring and support looks like will vary from project to project.
How do I apply for a Research & Engagement grant?
The mini-grants and large grants have slightly different applications, but we use a system called InfoReady to collect applications for both. See the “How to Apply” sections above for detailed information on the application components for each grant, and click the “Apply by April 5” button at the end of those sections to be taken to the correct InfoReady application. Note that you’ll need to log in with your U-M credentials.
I am part of a collaborative team applying for a grant. How do we submit an application?
The team should select someone to submit the application and to serve as the main point of contact for the project. You’ll have the opportunity to provide brief bios for each team member and describe each person’s role as part of the application.
How much funding can be requested?
Each grant has a maximum funding amount–$3,000 for mini-grants and $25,000 for large grants– and funds can be requested up to that amount. However, your project may not require the maximum amount, and you are more than welcome to request a smaller amount.
Does the IHP select proposals for partial funding, so at a lower amount than requested?
Yes, this is possible, especially for large grants and in funding cycles when we receive a high number of quality proposals. If this happens, your award letter will indicate the partial funding amount.
When do funded projects need to be completed?
For mini-grants, projects are expected to be completed within the 12-month grant period. For the large grants, the grant period is 12 or 18 months.
When is the application due? Is the deadline flexible?
The application deadline for both mini-grants and large grants is Friday, April 5, 2024, with letters of support or authorization due by Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The application deadline is not flexible, as our evaluation of applications begins very soon after the deadline. If you miss the deadline, be on the lookout for the next round of applications.
How will proposals be evaluated?
Proposals are evaluated by the IHP team with the following criteria in mind:
When and how will I know if my application has been awarded funding?
All applicants will be notified whether their proposal has been funded by email by April 30, 2024.
If my proposal is funded, do I need to complete a grant report?
Yes. Applicants who receive funding must submit a two-page final report at the end of the funding period (a template will be provided). We are also eager for project leads and teams to share their findings and their experiences with each other and with the IHP team. Funded leads and teams are therefore required to participate in a collaborative workshop with other funded projects near the conclusion of the funding period. As part of the workshop, everyone will make a short presentation on their project and submit presentation materials to the IHP.
What happens if I do not use all of the grant funds?
Any grant funds that are unused by the end of the grant period must be returned to the IHP.
How does the IHP issue grant funding?
The IHP will send award letters via email to those receiving grant funding, and in most cases that letter will include a funds transfer form that you will fill out and return to us. On the Dearborn campus, IHP Dearborn project staff are available to provide central support for grant administration. We plan to send funds to the recipient’s department or program in May 2024.