SAMI offers funding in two tracks: Conferences and Projects/Events. Applicants may apply as individuals or student organizations.

Conferences

Individuals

• Presenting research (national/international, multicultural focus): up to $1,000.

• Attending without presenting (significant multicultural learning value): up to $500.

• Required with application: proof of acceptance/registration.

Student Organizations

• Attending a conference (multiple members): up to $2,000 total.

• Required with application: conference details (agenda, registration, or invitation).

• The organization decides how funds are distributed among members.

• If an organization applies on behalf of its members, those members cannot also apply as individuals.

Capacity limit for the same conference

• To broaden impact, SAMI will fund up to five applicants for any single conference. Awards are made to the first five complete applications received. Apply early.

• If you are a member of a student organization that received funding, you must attend as part of that organization

Projects/Events

Funding caps

• Student organizations: up to $2,000 per academic year.

• Individuals: up to $1,000 per academic year.

Eligible activities (examples)

• Programs that advance academic and multicultural understanding (workshops, performances, forums, outreach).

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

• Guest lecturers or artists on multicultural or academic success topics.

• Research on academic/multicultural issues.

• Hosting a conference that advances academic and multicultural learning.

Eligibility & Requirements

• Individuals and organizations may receive SAMI funding once per academic year.

• Applicants must be currently enrolled (undergraduate or graduate) at the U-M Ann Arbor campus.

• Student organizations must be registered and in good standing with SOAS.

• By applying, you authorize OAMI staff to verify financial eligibility with the Office of Financial Aid. Students receiving federal/state aid must show sufficient remaining need.

Letter of Endorsement

• Individuals: one letter from faculty or staff speaking to qualifications, academic promise, and fit with the grant’s purpose.

• Student organizations: one letter from the advisor or a faculty/staff partner describing mission, past performance, proposed impact, and capacity to execute.

What SAMI Does Not Fund

• Non-academic or purely social events (balls, banquets, parties)

• Fundraising/charitable events

• Organizations with substantial, ongoing departmental funding

• Food purchases

• Study abroad or Alternative Spring Break

• Dissertation research or any activity that is graded or applies toward completing your degree.”

• Scholarship competitions, awards, ceremonies, or banquets

• Profit-making events

• Prizes

Post-Award: Receipts & Returns

• Submit all receipts within 30 days after the activity. Failure to do so results in ineligibility for future funding.

• Any unused or unaccounted funds must be returned to SAMI.

Review Criteria

Applications are competitively scored on:

• Campus impact of the event/project/conference

• Strength of the academic and multicultural components

• Clarity and concision of the budget narrative

• Quality and detail of application responses

• Overall application quality