For Students

Student Grants

SAMI provides funding to individual students and student organizations whose projects:

  • Encourage academic growth and leadership development
  • Create opportunities for dialogue and collaboration across different perspectives
  • Contribute to a more informed and connected campus community

The Student Academic Multicultural Initiatives (SAMI) were created in 1993 to support student engagement in academic programs and educational activities that strengthen the university's learning environment.

Since its creation, SAMI has helped students and organizations develop programs, research, and events that enhance learning, collaboration, and campus understanding of a wide range of topics.

Funding is provided by the Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives

 

SAMI has a highly competitive grant evaluation process. In order to qualify for consideration, you must submit your application with all required information by the application deadline.
SAMI logo with orange, purple, blue, and brwon circles with SAMI letters in each one

Grants for Projects or Events

Host a multicultural program or event to expand the campus dialogue. Collaborating with other organizations is encouraged!

Photo of students talking at a conference

Grants for Conferences

Attend an academic conference to develop and share your knowledge of multiculturalism

Yellow letters on a black background that spell out "MLK"

Grants for MLK Symposium Events

Organize a program for the campus community that furthers the work and vision of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Before submitting a SAMI application,
please review the submission deadlines and requirements

Grant Details

Grants for Projects or Events

Programs to enrich Michigan and the wider community

  • Fund your student scholarly/academic publications on multicultural topics
  • Invite a guest lecturer or artist on multicultural subjects or academic success issues
  • We’re looking for projects that promote cross-cultural understanding and awareness for the campus community
Projects or events grant details
  • Korean Student Association Organization Culture Show

    Korean Student Association Organization Culture Show

    The Korean Student Association (KSA) Culture Show is an annual not-for-profit event that showcases various student organizations and performance groups aiming to promote authentic Korean culture through traditional and modern art forms. Korean drama, music, dance, and food are crucial elements to the representation of Korean culture, and the culture show provides students with the opportunity to present their culture and passions through different types of performances, including traditional and modern Korean dance, Korean drum performances, and Taekwondo. KSA exists to establish and maintain a community that promotes cultural awareness of Korean and Korean American culture at the University of Michigan.

  • ESA Culture Night

    The Egyptian Student Association (ESA) is hosting a Culture Night to celebrate Egyptian identity through education, awareness, and philanthropy. Culture Night will showcase Egyptian culture and heritage through food, language, and cultural activities. ESA is an organization aiming to unite and serve Egyptians and Egyptian enthusiasts on campus while educating the general student body of the University of Michigan about Egyptian culture.
  • Detroit Partnership Day

    Detroit Partnership Day

    Detroit Partnership Day (DP Day) is a day of service learning during which hundreds of UM students travel to Detroit and engage in direct service (e.g., yard work, blight removal) for various community organizations. DP Day is hosted by the Detroit Partnership, which seeks to bridge the gap between students at the University of Michigan and communities within Detroit via service-learning initiatives. DP Day allows students to provide service (and reflect) on their volunteer experiences while community partners receive assistance with their prioritized needs.
  • La Union

    La Union

    La Union is an event that aims to showcase the variety of cultures while involving the campus community. La Casa is the largest Latine/x student organization on campus. Their mission is to promote the advancement and well-being of the Latinx/e community at the University of Michigan through the development of cultural, educational, professional, and social programs and initiatives.
  • Photo of students performing in traditional regalia

    Generation APA: Eclipse

    The GenAPA cultural show focuses on raising awareness and showcasing the richness of Asian/Pacific Islander American (APIA) culture through student performances. Several student groups and solo/duo acts perform, each sharing and/or representing a unique aspect of APIA culture. The 2024 theme “Eclipse” conveys being obscured, overshadowed, or surpassed by something more prevalent, akin to the moon covering the sun during a solar eclipse. Diversity is a complex and multifaceted concept. The APIA community is incredibly rich in traditions, languages, and experiences. Certain aspects can become more visible or emphasized than others due to media representation, societal stereotypes, and cultural influences. Although we may celebrate the APIA community as beautiful and diverse, the reality is that several parts of this community are obscured. Through the Eclipse show, we hope to shine a light on aspects of APIA culture that have been overlooked.

  • Express Yourself

    The Students of Color of Rackham (SCOR) Symposium is an annual event hosted by the SCOR graduate organization. The SCOR is dedicated to the social, cultural, political, and academic well-being of students of color representing diverse cultures, ethnicities, and international origins. The 2024 symposium revolved around the theme "Express Yourself—A Vibrant Celebration of Self-Expression."

Grants for Conferences

Funding for conferences that expand your world view

  • For individual students interested in attending a conference or presentation of scholarly research on multicultural topics at a national or international conference
  • For student organizations interested in attending a conference that will enhance understanding of a topic that is academic and multicultural in nature
  • We’re looking for conferences focused on cross-cultural research and building  multicultural understanding
Conference grant details

  • Black Graduate Research Symposium

    The Black Graduate Student Association is organizing its first interdisciplinary Black Graduate research symposium from March 21st-March 23rd 2024. The theme for this year’s symposium is Vibrancy and Vitality: A Love Letter to the Critical Interventions of Black Scholarship. The goal of this event is to highlight and honor the scholarship of Black Graduate students on campus and the importance of making vibrant spaces for facilitating scholarship that centers fields relating to Black Studies, Racial Equity, and Anti-racism. A major component of this event focuses on providing Graduate students on campus the opportunity to participate in academic workshops and engage in professional development through skillbuilding, networking, and presenting. The Black Graduate Student Association (BGSA) aims to develop the academic and social potentials of its members and to provide an environment of support and cultural enrichment within the University of Michigan community through involvement in actions that advance equity and promote a supportive environment for Black graduate students at UM to thrive.
  • Photo of speaker onstage talking to an interviewer

    National Global Surgical Innovation Conference

    University of Michigan is excited to host this year's Annual Global Surgery Conference with the theme of innovation providing you with outstanding educational opportunities. Learn from distinguished surgery and technology experts, hear about groundbreaking innovations and research, network with leaders and peers from around the globe, gain professional and clinical skills with our workshops and showcase and end the night with the Global Surgery Gala to help raise charity funds. We believe that health is a human right and that surgical care is a part of that right. Global Surgery Student Alliance (GSSA) aims to educate undergraduate students about global healthcare inequities. GSSA has multiple chapters at different undergraduate universities and medical schools. The undergraduate U of M chapter will host events, workshops, seminars, and webinars with healthcare professionals. The chapter will also organize and facilitate resume workshops and study groups. The events that GSSA hosts will be educational in nature.

  • WATCH ’23: Women Across Teachings, Culture and History

    The first annual Women Across Teachings, Culture and History event (WATCH '23). WATCH aims to be an annual conference held during Women’s History Month (March). Every year, there will be a new theme for the event, however there will always be some sort of connection to understanding the role of women through different lenses. The goal with WATCH is to help unify organizations and different ideals into one event each year, celebrating and remembering the unanimous importance of women. The Islamic Society of AhlulBayt's goal is to bring the special teachings of the AhlulBayt (Shia Islam) to a more unified community that can be comprised of Muslims and non-Muslims. We also strive to be a home for Shia Muslims on campus, providing them with resources and support as they navigate their religion and academics while at the University of Michigan.

Grants for MLK Symposium Events

Contribute to the cross-campus MLK celebration

OAMI offers a special SAMI Grant for student programs that occur alongside or thematically connect with the MLK Symposium, the university’s yearly celebration of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

MLK Grant details