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Proposal Submission

The Michigan Institute for Research in Astrophysics (MIRA) is committed to building astrophysics research excellence and scientific leadership by supporting important collaborations, meetings, and research at U-M.

Below are the categories of activities that MIRA currently invites funding proposals for and instructions for applying. This information may also be viewed as a PDF.

 

 

Visiting Internal Scientists

We encourage scientists and research groups from MIRA departments to spend periods from weeks to months in other MIRA departments. Funding can be requested to defray the costs of such visits, for lunches to promote communication, and more.

Workshops & Conferences
Funding is available to host international scientific meetings at U-M. Funding requests should demonstrate how a meeting will increase the international profile of astrophysical research at UM. Requests are capped at 30K USD.

DEI Initiatives
Funding is available, with priority given to support outreach activities aimed at high schools in Michigan with URM populations, with the goal of encouraging applications and improving diversity in MIRA majors. Applicants should partner with DEI committees and U-M.

Visiting External Scientists
Funding is available to bring scientists, and/or entire research groups from other institutions to Michigan for one to several weeks. Invitations to National Academy members, excellent young scientists, and everyone in between are welcome.

International Meetings
Funding is available to sponsor meetings and workshops held abroad. A key review criterion for requests is that the participation of MIRA scientists, and sponsorship from U-M and MIRA, should increase our international profile. Requests are capped at 30K USD.

Injections
Small awards are available to jumpstart projects that can lead to a successful larger endeavor, including future analysis efforts, time at a specific laboratory or facility, or hardware. Funding requests should be for pilot studies, not full projects. Requests are capped at 30K USD.

Typical Review Criteria
(1) How does the request advance the mission of MIRA (promoting current and future excellence in astrophysics and space research at Michigan, and projecting our strengths to the domestic and international community)?
(2) How large and how long-lasting will these impacts be?
(3) How many scientists on Central and North campus (including graduate students and undergraduates whenever possible), are benefited by the request?

Note: Funding requests do not need to be co-sponsored by multiple MIRA departments, but positive impacts should include multiple departments.

To Apply:
(1) Develop a detailed spreadsheet of costs, and send it to: mira-admin[at]umich.edu.
(2) Submit your MIRA Proposal Request by completing the Google Form
(3) If you have questions, contact: mira-admin[at]umich.edu.