IHP Research & Engagement Fund Mini Grants

Proposals accepted on a rolling basis

We are pleased to invite mini grant proposals for the Inclusive History Project’s Research & Engagement Fund. Through this funding program, we invite people across the University of Michigan’s three campuses to join our efforts to develop deeper knowledge of U-M’s history through an inclusive lens and to engage partners and audiences both on and off our campuses.

Mini grants are intended for undergraduate and graduate students as well as smaller-scale activities undertaken by faculty, staff, and units. Both individuals and collaborative teams are invited to apply. As a tri-campus project, the IHP especially encourages collaboration across campuses.

Mini grants provide funding up to $3,000 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. Projects funded through mini grants may include histories of particular student organizations, walking tours, collections of materials, exhibitions, presentations, mini-conferences, publications, and more.

Please note that, for larger-scale projects that require more funding, the IHP offers large grants through the Research & Engagement Fund on an annual funding cycle.

2025-26 Theme: Campus Voices and Democratic Participation

For the 2025-26 funding competitions, the IHP especially invites proposals for projects that consider how members of the University of Michigan’s campus communities–students, staff, faculty, alums, and more–have historically used their voices for democratic participation and thereby sought to shape the university, the nation, and even the world. Together, courses and projects funded through this call will enable a broader view on the long and complex history of democratic participation at the university, while calling attention to the at-times competing visions of the university and of broader society that have been pursued by U-M students, staff, and faculty over time.

The IHP is interested in proposals for a wide range of research and engagement projects on this theme, which may include new and redesigned courses, more traditional research projects, exhibits, walking tours, performances, workshops, digital media, etc.

Campus Voices and Democratic Participation is meant to encompass a broad range of topics, periods, and historical actors drawn from the university’s past, and we are interested in projects that span a range of political sensibilities. In designing proposals for research and engagement projects in particular, applicants should consider how they will engage the university community as well as communities beyond the university to share their projects and the knowledge they help to produce, and may propose a range of outputs such as reports, events, multimedia displays, and more.

Under this broad theme, the IHP encourages proposals on bounded topics that center on particular examples, periods, communities, case studies, etc., from any period in U-M’s history. Proposals are encouraged to consider the following themes/issues:

U-M student organizations and their histories and activities
Particular movements and causes (university, local, national, global) that have been the subject of debate and various forms of advocacy on our campuses
Specific methods and tactics that campus actors have used to exercise their voices (e.g., organizing, campaigning, student governance, journalism, teach-ins, etc.)
Outcomes, broadly conceived, resulting from these efforts, including responses by the university, effects on students, resistance encountered, successes and failures, etc.
The formation of coalitions across U-M campuses

Examples of particular movements and causes that might be considered include but are not limited to: environmental justice, labor organizing and the formation of unions at the university, anti-apartheid activism, the range of divestment movements over time, LGBTQ+ activism, pacifist movements, well-known U-M examples like the Black Action Movement (BAM) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), and more.

Project leaders and team members will have the opportunity to participate in a community of practice with other teams funded through the Campus Voices and Democratic Participation granting program, with opportunities for connection facilitated by the IHP. For example, participants may wish to engage with an upcoming exhibition at the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA), American Sampler: Activating the Archive, which draws on materials from the Labadie Collection at the Special Collections Research Center and opens at UMMA in January 2026. Undergraduate students at the Ann Arbor campus may choose to enroll in Professor Sara Awartani’s American Culture 204 course, “In Study and Struggle: Student Movement Histories,” offered in Winter 2026 and supported by the IHP Teaching Fund. Finally, there will be the opportunity to share work resulting from funded projects in IHP public programs, such as the annual IHP Summit and other special events.

The deadline for IHP Teaching Fund and IHP Research & Engagement Fund competitions has passed, but Research & Engagement Fund mini grant proposals will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis.

Please note that the IHP also welcomes mini grant proposals on topics on the university’s inclusive history that are not related to this year’s theme.

IHP Mini Grant Program Details & How to Apply

Who Can Apply

Proposals are accepted from undergraduate and graduate students, faculty members (including tenure track faculty, lecturers, librarians, archivists, curators, and clinical faculty), and staff members on the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, and Flint campuses. While at least one project lead must have an active appointment at U-M, community partners or organizations are welcome to co-lead and participate in project teams.
Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for mini grants as individuals, teams, or registered student organizations. Please note that student applicants must have a faculty mentor and sponsor, and the faculty member’s unit must agree to be the recipient and administrator of funds on behalf of the student(s).
Multigenerational teams composed of faculty, staff, graduate students, and/or undergraduate students are especially encouraged to apply, as are teams that promote collaboration across departments, units, and campuses.

Funding Guidelines

Funding period: 12 months
Budget items may include, but are not limited to:
- Personnel costs, including:
  - Stipends totaling up to $1,000 for project leaders, who may include staff, faculty, and students. For student grants, these costs may include up to $500 for the faculty mentor and up to $500 total for student leaders.
  - For faculty- or staff-led projects, personnel costs may also include hourly pay for graduate and undergraduate students as research associates or project interns.
- Research expenses (travel to research sites, materials, supplies, etc.)
- Equipment (please note that, according to university policy, equipment is the property of the university)
- Costs related to hosting events and external speakers that are directly related to project activities
- Fees or honoraria for community partners, external speakers, and other contract personnel
- Costs related to sharing project findings and creating public-facing outputs
  - Please note that the IHP limits funding for conference travel, and encourages students to apply to other funding sources for those expenses.
Funds administration
- In most cases, funds will be transferred to the faculty mentor’s or project leader’s department or unit. IHP project staff at the Dearborn campus are available to provide central support for grant administration if needed. All funds must be expended in accordance with policies and procedures in the applicable department/unit, school/college, and the university more broadly.

Additional Guidelines

Applicants who receive funding must submit a final report at the end of the funding period (a template will be provided). Any grant funds that are unused by the end of the grant period must be returned to the IHP.
Participation in some form of IHP programming to share the project’s work near the end of the grant period is required. Examples of IHP programming include the annual IHP Summit, collaborative workshops with other grantees, and other opportunities.
All IHP Research & Engagement Fund mini grant applications undergo a review process carried out by the IHP team. Proposals will be evaluated through the following criteria:
- A clear and significant focus on some aspect of the University of Michigan’s 200+ year history.
  - For projects focused on the 2025-26 Campus Voices and Democratic Participation theme, a clear and substantial connection to that theme
- The centering of questions of inclusion
- The feasibility of the project, as evidenced by detailed and concrete plans for how project activities will be executed
- The potential to engage multiple audiences, especially through the production of public-facing deliverables
- The potential for the project to advance the IHP’s mission in the areas of research, engagement, and repair
Please allow up to 4 weeks after your proposal is submitted and letter(s) of support are received for a funding decision. For proposals on the Campus Voices and Democratic Participation theme submitted by the priority deadline of October 30, awards will be announced in January 2026.

Questions?

The IHP project team is also available to provide individual consultations and answer questions. Email [email protected] to get in touch.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following through the application portal linked below:

Project abstract (100 words maximum)
- A brief overview or summary of your proposed project. This may be made public through IHP communications if your proposal is funded.
Project description (2-3 pages)
- A description of the proposed project that articulates the central question or problem the project is seeking to address; provides relevant background and context; explains the approach or methods the project will use; and lists anticipated outputs (publications, websites, exhibits, walking tours, events, conferences, etc.)
  - If an existing project, please address progress to date and what activities and additional work this funding will support.
- A project rationale that addresses the proposed project’s alignment with the research, engagement, and reparative goals of the IHP and, if applicable, how it aligns with the 2025-26 Campus Voices and Democratic Participation theme;
- Plans for campus and/or community engagement, including primary or intended audiences, plans for sharing findings, and more
- A timeline for the project
Project leadership and project team (1 page)
- A statement that provides brief bios of the project leader(s) and addresses how past work prepares the project leader(s) for the proposed project
- (If applicable) Brief bios of the project team that include a short description of each member’s role
Project budget that includes:
- A list of budget items. For each item, please list:
  - The expense category (i.e., stipend for project lead, student research assistants, supplies, etc.)
  - The amount
  - A description and justification of the expense and its amount (i.e., a research assistant working 5 hours per week for 12 weeks to identify archival documents)
  - Please note that all compensation should include a fringe rate of 8%.
- The total amount requested
- Any additional funding sources, applied for or awarded.
Brief letter(s) of endorsement or authorization, required for the projects identified below and welcomed (but not required) for other projects:
- For student mini grants, a letter of support from the faculty mentor/sponsor
- For projects involving staff, archivists, curators, and librarians, a letter of authorization and support from the supervisor
- For projects involving lecturers, a letter from their department or program supporting a temporary research appointment
- For projects with community partners, a letter of support from the partnering organization

Apply

FAQs for IHP Research & Engagement Fund Mini Grants

Find questions to commonly-asked questions below.

1. What are the differences between Research & Engagement mini grants and large grants?
Both seek to advance the study of U-M’s history through an inclusive 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:

If you have a small project that will cost $3,000 or less that focuses on some kind of research or engagement activity, apply for a mini grant.
If your project is bigger in scope, will cost more than $3,000, and may take more than 12 months to complete, apply for a large grant.
If you are an undergraduate or graduate student and want to submit a proposal for a project you will lead, apply for a mini grant. You can also join teams with staff or faculty members who apply for large grants.
If you are an instructional faculty member and your project is related to a course, the IHP Teaching Fund is there to support your work.

2. 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, lecturers, librarians, archivists, and curators who are seeking funding for smaller-scale activities are also welcome to apply.

3. 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].

4. The mini grant project I have in mind doesn’t fit the 2025-26 Campus Voices and Democratic Participation theme. Can I still apply?
Yes! We welcome proposals on topics on the university’s inclusive history that are not related to this year’s theme, and proposals are accepted on a rolling basis.

5. How can I find historical sources for the project I have in mind?
This is a great question. Many campus libraries and institutions hold materials about the University of Michigan’s history, and we highly recommend getting started on identifying resources and materials to begin your research there. Find more information on campus libraries and collections on the History of U-M website’s Explore Further page, or identify additional resources to explore by searching or browsing that site.

6. 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 $1,000 total for stipends that can be shared among project leaders. There’s a detailed list of eligible expenses in 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. We also encourage students to identify other sources for conference funding. If you have questions about eligible expenses, email [email protected].

7. 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 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.

8. How do I apply for a Research & Engagement mini grant?
We use a system called InfoReady to collect applications. See the “How to Apply” section above for detailed information on the application components, and click the “Apply” button at the end of that section to be taken to the InfoReady application. Note that you’ll need to log in with your U-M credentials.

9. 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 designate other project leads who should be contacted with regard to the application, and to provide brief bios for each team member and their role as part of the application.

10. How much funding can be requested?
Mini grants have a maximum funding amount of $3,000, and funds can be requested up to that amount. If your project requires more than $3,000, check out the guidelines and eligibility for large grants, with funding levels up to $25,000.

11. When do funded projects need to be completed?
Projects should be completed within 12 months.

12. When are mini grant proposals due? Is the deadline flexible?
Mini grant proposals have a rolling deadline and can be submitted at any time.

13. How will proposals be evaluated?
All IHP Research & Engagement Fund mini grant applications undergo a review process carried out by the IHP team. Proposals will be evaluated through the following criteria:

All IHP Research & Engagement Fund applications undergo a review process carried out by the IHP team. Proposals will be evaluated through the following criteria:
- A clear and significant focus on some aspect of the University of Michigan’s 200+ year history. Note that the project must be historical in its conceptualization and methodology.
  - For projects focused on the 2025-26 Campus Voices and Democratic Participation theme, a clear and substantial connection to that theme
- The centering of questions of inclusion
- The feasibility of the project, as evidenced by detailed and concrete plans for how project activities will be executed
- The potential to engage multiple audiences, especially through the production of public-facing deliverables
- The potential for the project to advance the IHP’s mission in the areas of research, engagement, and repair

14. When and how will I know if my application has been awarded funding?
Generally, you’ll be notified by email within 4 weeks of our receipt of your complete proposal, including any letters of support. For proposals on the Campus Voices and Democratic Participation theme submitted by the priority deadline of October 30, awards will be announced in January 2026.

15. If my proposal is funded, do I need to complete a grant report?
Yes. Applicants who receive funding must submit a 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.

16. 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.

17. 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 with the help of a financial administrator from your department or program and then send back to us. Once we receive the form, we will transfer grant funds to your department and program. Note that, on the Dearborn campus, IHP project staff are available to provide central support for grant administration if needed.

18. I have more questions about IHP Research & Engagement Fund mini grants. What should I do?
Please email us at [email protected]! We’d be happy to answer your questions.