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SAMI GRANTS

SAMI Grant Details

SAMI applications are open for the 2024-25 school year. We encourage all applicants to apply well before their anticipated project/event/conference. All applications must be submitted through Survey Monkey. Links for all the applications can be found below.

SAMI logo with orange, purple, blue, and brwon circles with SAMI letters in each one

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester - 2024

  • Due Date
  • September 20
  • October 18
  • November 15
  • December 13
  • Decision By
  • October 4
  • November 1
  • November 29
  • December 27
Applications must be submitted by 8 am of the application deadline

Winter Semester - 2025

  • Due Date
  • January 24
  • February 21
  • March 21
  • April 18
  • Decision By
  • February 7
  • March 7
  • April 4
  • May 2

GRANT APPLICATIONS

Apply through Survey Monkey with the links below

Project/Event Application

Get support to help traditionally underrepresented groups and create cross-cultural awareness for the campus community

Conference Application

Attend an academic conference to present or to deepen your knowledge of multiculturalism research and practice

Application Details

SAMI has established two different categories for students to apply through as individual applicants and student organizations.
Students will apply for funding either to attend a conference or execute a project/event. 

Individual or Student Organization Attending a Conference 

Maximum yearly award total of $2,000 for student organizations attending a conference with multiple members.

Maximum year award $1,000 for individual student attending conference. 

For individual students interested in attending a conference or presentation of scholarly research on multicultural topics at a national or international conference:

  • Verification of conference attendance/acceptance presentation must submitted at the time of application

    • The maximum grant award for an individual presenting at a conference is $1,000

  • Participation in a major national or international academic conference without presenting one’s own research may be funded when this will make a significant contribution to students' multicultural understanding:

    • The maximum grant award for an individual attending a conference is $500

For student organizations interested in attending a conference that will enhance understanding of a topic that is academic and multicultural in nature

  • Verification of conference details must be submitted at the time of application 

  • The maximum grant award for a student organization interested in attending a conference is $2,000

  • The organization is responsible for determining how funds are distributed among members 

  • Individual members of the organization will be disqualified from applying for funding as individuals if the student organization applies for funding on behalf of its members  

  • To ensure that SAMI funding supports a diverse array of conferences, we will only fund up to five applicants seeking to attend the same conference. This policy allows us to maximize the reach and impact of our resources. Funding will be awarded to the first five students who apply, based on the order in which applications are received. We encourage students to apply early to secure funding and to consider exploring conferences that align with their academic and professional interests but may not be as widely attended.

Individual or Student Organization Executing Projects/Events 

Maximum yearly award total of $2,000 for student organization-led projects/events. 

Maximum yearly award total of $1,000 for individually-led student projects/events

Programming that promotes academic and multicultural understanding of specific topics. 

  • Student scholarly/academic publications on multicultural topics (e.g. newsletter, magazine)

  • Guest lecturer or artist on multicultural subjects or academic success issues (e.g. expert on retention of underrepresented students)

  • Projects that promote cross-cultural understanding and awareness for the campus community (e.g., workshops, performances, forums, outreach)Conduct research or topic that is academic and multicultural in nature 

  • Hosting a conference to increase understanding of academic and multicultural issues

 

CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS:

  • Individual students/student organizations may receive funding only once per academic year
  • All applicants must be currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus
  • All student organizations must registered and in good standing with SOAS
  • Submitting a proposal through SAMI grants permission for OAMI staff to verify a student’s financial eligibility through the Office of Financial Aid. Students who receive Federal or State financial aid will need to demonstrate sufficient remaining need to qualify for a SAMI grant.
  • Students must provide a letter of endorsement:
    A letter of endorsement for the SAMI Grant should provide a compelling narrative about the applicant’s qualifications, achievements, and alignment with the grant’s purpose and criteria. For individual students applying to attend a conference, the letter should highlight their academic excellence, leadership potential, and commitment to advancing their personal and professional development. Specific examples of their work ethic, innovative contributions, or engagement with relevant topics can underscore their readiness to maximize the opportunity. For student organizations seeking support to execute a campus project, the endorsement should detail the organization’s mission, past accomplishments, and the anticipated impact of the proposed project. It should emphasize how the project aligns with the grant’s goals, benefits the broader campus community, and demonstrates the organization’s ability to plan and execute initiatives effectively. Whether endorsing an individual or an organization, the letter should clearly articulate how the grant will empower the applicant to achieve meaningful outcomes and make a lasting impact.
     

 

FUNDS WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR:

  • Non-academic or entirely social events (e.g. balls, banquets, parties)
  • Fund-raising activities or charitable events
  • Organizations that have a consistent base of substantial funding from an academic unit/department 
  • Payment for food items
  • Study abroad experiences 
  • Alternative Spring Break trips
  • Dissertation research
  • Scholarship competitions, awards, presentation ceremonies and banquets
  • Profit-making events
  • Prizes

 

RECEIPTS SUBMISSION:

  • All recipients must submit receipts within 30 days after the event/activity. Failure to submit the receipts will result in the student and/or student organization being ineligible for any future funding.
  • Awarded funds that have not been used or accounted for must be transferred back to the SAMI account.
 
This is a competitive grant - please take your time to answer each question thoroughly. Each application will be objectively scored on the following items: 
  • The impact that the event/project/conference will have on the broader campus community 
  • The strength of the academic and multicultural component presented in the application 
  • The clarity and conciseness of the budget narrative 
  • Level of detail in application responses 
  • The overall quality of the application