In support of the provost’s anti-racism initiative, and in partnership with the Rackham Graduate School and the Center for Racial Justice (CRJ) at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, the National Center for Institutional Diversity’s Anti-Racism Collaborative (ARC) offers research grants that aim to support engagement in research projects focused on racism, racial equity, and racial justice while advancing graduate and professional student progress toward degree. Grants may provide support for a student’s own project extending from their faculty advisor’s research, or for a student’s independent scholarship supervised by a faculty mentor. A faculty support letter will be required as part of the funding application.

Projects should focus on topics and processes related to racism at structural, systemic, institutional, interpersonal and/or intrapersonal levels, which could cover a variety of domains, including, but not limited to:

  • Health, well-being, and social determinants of health
  • Education in formal and/or informal settings
  • Socioeconomic and occupational stratification and mobility
  • Environmental racism and social justice
  • Community development and infrastructure
  • Social movements and activism
  • Immigration experiences and policy
  • Social attitudes and responses to diversity
  • Criminal justice, policing, and the legal system
  • Racial justice in science, technology, engineering mathematics (STEM) and medicine
  • Race and racism in the fine arts

Eligibility

Currently enrolled graduate and professional students (doctoral and masters) in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Students must be enrolled in a University of Michigan (U-M) graduate or professional program during the time of the grant period. Prior grantees can re-apply for funds to support the same research project or for a different project; however, priority will be given to first time grantees.

Funding

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded during the 2022 summer term for the 1-year grant period.

Application Process

Candidates must submit the online application form and include the following documents by Sunday, April 17, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET:

  • 100-word (or less) abstract of the project 
  • Project narrative (no more than 5 pages), including:
    • The nature of the research project and how the project is important to the applicants’ research goals
    • The objectives and scope of the proposed project
      • How does the project illuminate and address issues of racism, racial inequality, and racial justice?
      • How might the research likely inform practice, public engagement, and action to advance anti-racist principles and organizing?
  • CV
  • U-M faculty advisor letter of support that includes information on how the project may forward the students’ progress toward degree
  • Proposed budget, including other sources of funding

Selection Criteria

Projects awarded will include a clear description of how the research will: 

  • Address issues of racism, racial inequality, and racial justice in novel ways (e.g., theoretically and/or methodologically)
  • Advance the mission and priorities of the NCID’s Anti-Racism Collaborative
  • Inform practice, public engagement, policy, and/or action to advance anti-racist principles and organizing

Funding Decisions and Period

Funding decisions will be made in May 2022 with funds disbursed in June 2022. Funds must be used within one year of receipt. Any funds that are unused by the end of the grant period must be returned to the NCID.

Administration of Funds

The recipient is responsible for coordinating with NCID staff and their home department to arrange for good stewardship of the funds. Funds will be transferred to a specified project grant within the students’ home department. Note: recipients must adhere to any applicable policy and procedures established by their departments. All activities must be done in accordance with any COVID-related spending restrictions at the time of the project.

Budget Guidelines

Budget proposals may include:

  • Stipend for living expenses
  • Travel to research or action sites, supplies, and other expenses related to the research needs (no more than 50% of the budget should go towards travel)

Budget proposals should NOT include:

  • Travel expenses not directly related to research or scholarly activity
  • Hosting expenses not directly related to research or scholarly activity

Reporting Guidelines

Applicants who receive funding must agree to submit a two-page final report within 60 days of the end of the funding period (report template will be provided). Grant recipients will be expected to participate in Rackham/CRJ/NCID organized activities focused on disseminating information on their funded research project (e.g., give a talk based on a project at an Rackham/CRJ/NCID event, participate on a panel, lead informal coffee discussion, contribute to an NCID publication, etc.). Any changes in budget items or project period must first be approved by the NCID.

Inquiries

For additional information, please see the FAQs below or direct questions to ncidgrants@umich.edu.