The Dean’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Small Grant Program

Call for Proposals

  • The Dean’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Small Grant Program is a competitive small grants program which provides up to $5,000 for social science scholarship that engages thoughtfully with, and advances SSC’s mission of inclusive excellence.

  • Priority will be given to multi/interdisciplinary, collaborative projects that are aligned with the College Strategic Plan for DEI.

  • Funded proposals may be awarded for, but are not limited to, seed funding for DEI research that leads to (1) the publication of an article, (2) applications for external funding from a foundation/charity/non-profit organization, (3) applications for external sponsorship by a commercial, business, or industry, or (4) applications for external funding from local, state, or federal governments.

  • The Program will award up to 5 grants.

Eligibility: 

  • Faculty members (tenure system and fixed term) holding majority appointments in the College of Social Science are eligible to apply. Individuals may submit original applications as the Lead/Principal Investigator to more than one SSC funding program during the grant-application cycle, but a single individual may only be awarded funding from one SSC program of funding per fiscal year. Program funding cycle is on a fiscal year basis (July 1st to June 30th).

  • Applicants should list all applications for funding, including dollar amounts, related to the proposed project whether applications are pending or approved.

Submission Process: 

  • Applications should be submitted to the Associate Dean of DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation as a single PDF document, via email to: Victoria Pierce,  malkow14@msu.edu, with Dean’s DEI Small Grants Program (Faculty) in subject line. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on December 15, 2023.

  • Application packets should include the following: 

    1. 2-page proposal (single-spaced) addressing significance, methods, and expected outcomes of project and how it advances DEI scholarship. *For the next 5 years of our DEI Implementation Plan, preference will be given to proposals aligned with the goals of the Strategic Plan.

    2. CV of Lead/Principal Investigator and research team members, if applicable.

    3. 1 supporting letter of recommendation highlighting the applicant’s DEI capability in relation to the proposed project. Letter should come from the applicant’s chairperson/director.

    4. Detailed 1-page budget and justification.

Selection Process: 

  • The Associate Dean for DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation will convene a Dean’s DEI Small Grants Program committee.

  • Committee will evaluate proposals and make a recommendation to the Associate Dean for DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation.

  • Funds may only be used for expenses related to the project. Funds may not be used for compensation, course buyouts, or uses in conflict with university policy regarding expenditure of general funds.

  • 1-page report (single-space) describing outcomes and dissemination plan, should be submitted within 12 months of completion of the award.

Review Criteria 

i. Quality and Technical Merit -35%

  • Builds on prior research.
  • Sound methodology or implementation plan 
  • Feasibility 
  • Innovative and creative approach to address a problem
  • Alignment with relevant strategic plans

ii. Impact of the Work- 35%

  • Potential to advance DEI scholarship
  • Practical relevance 
  • Promises identifiable research product (e.g., article or funding proposal, etc.)
  • Potential to attract additional sponsored activities

iii. Capabilities, Demonstrated Productivity, and Experience of Applicants-20% 

  • PI/Team skills 
  • Record of past success

iv. Budget-10%

  • Costs equivalent to the work 
  • Appropriate use of small grant funds 

Call for Proposals

  • The Dean’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Small Grant Program is a competitive small grants program which provides up to $5,000 for social science initiatives or innovations that advance the Social Science College (SSC) mission of inclusive excellence.

  • Priority will be given to multi/interdisciplinary, collaborative projects that are aligned with the College Strategic Plan for DEI.

  • Funding may be awarded for, but is not limited to, initiatives that have the potential for long-term sustainable and scalable DEI change in SSC, including innovations in DEI education, initiatives to improve DEI competency, advance DEI climate, and/or retention of students and/or staff.

  • The Program will award up to 5 grants.

Eligibility: 

  • Staff members, including Academic Staff (Academic Specialists and Research Associates) and Support Staff (Research Assistant I, II, III) holding majority appointments in the College of Social Science are eligible to apply.

  • Applicants should list all applications for funding, including dollar amounts, related to the proposed project whether applications are pending or approved.

Submission Process: 

  • Applications should be submitted to the Associate Dean of DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation as a single PDF document, via email to: Victoria Pierce,  malkow14@msu.edu, with Dean’s DEI Small Grants Program (Staff) in subject line. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on December 15, 2023.

  • Application packets should include the following: 

    1. 2-page proposal (single-spaced) addressing significance, methods, and expected outcomes of project and how it advances DEI. Applicants should also communicate how innovation/initiative will be financially supported beyond year one of funding. .*For next 5 years of our DEI Implementation Plan, all proposals must be aligned with the goals of the Strategic Plan.

    2. CV or resume of Project Lead and members of team, if applicable.

    3. 1 supporting letter of recommendation from the applicant’s supervisor including language that the unit(s) are willing to continue to fund the innovation/initiative beyond one year if it demonstrates effectiveness.

    4. Detailed 1-page budget and justification.

Selection Process: 

  • The Associate Dean for DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation will convene a Dean’s DEI Small Grants Program committee.

  • Committee will evaluate proposals and make a recommendation to the Associate Dean for DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation.

  • Funds may only be used for expenses related to the project. Funds may not be used for compensation, course buyouts, or uses in conflict with university policy regarding expenditure of general funds.

  • 1-page report (single-space) describing outcomes and dissemination plan, should be submitted within 12 months of completion of the award.

Review Criteria 

i. Quality and Technical Merit-35% 

  • Builds on prior research and/or projects.
  • Sound methodology or implementation plan 
  • Feasibility 
  • Innovative and creative approach to address a problem
  • Alignment with relevant strategic plans

ii. Impact of the Work-35% 

  • Potential of innovation/initiative to advance DEI
  • Practical relevance 
  • Sustainability and/or scale of innovation/initiative
  • Support from the target unit(s)

iii. Capabilities, Demonstrated Productivity, and Experience of Applicants-20% 

  • Project Lead/Team skills
  • Record of past success

iv. Budget-10%

  • Costs equivalent to the work 
  • Appropriate use of small grant funds 

Call for Proposals

  • The Dean’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Small Grant Program is a competitive small grants program which provides up to $5,000 for social science scholarship that engages thoughtfully with, and advances SSC’s mission of inclusive excellence.

  • Funding will either be awarded to fund dissertation research with a DEI-focus, DEI-focus dissertation completion, or for the next 5 years, projects that align and promote our SSC DEI Strategic Plan.

  • The Program will award up to 5 grants.

Eligibility: 

  • Graduate students in the College of Social Science in good academic standing are eligible to apply, and individuals can only apply to one SSC program of funding during the grant-application calendar year.

  • Applicants should list competing funding sources applied for/or received, including amounts being sought.

Submission Process: 

  • Applications should be submitted to the Associate Dean of DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation as a single PDF document, via email to: Victoria Pierce,  malkow14@msu.edu, with Dean’s DEI Small Grants Program (Graduate Students) in subject line. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on December 15, 2023.

  • Application packets should include the following: 

    1. 2-page proposal (single-spaced) addressing significance, methods, and expected outcomes of dissertation research and how it advances DEI scholarship. or for next 5 years of our DEI Implementation Plan, how proposal is aligned with the goals of the Strategic Plan.

    2. CV.

    3. 1 supporting letter of recommendation which should come from the chair of applicant’s graduate committee.

    4. Detailed 1-page budget and justification.

Selection Process: 

  • The Associate Dean for DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation will convene a Dean’s DEI Small Grants Program committee.

  • Committee will evaluate proposals and make a recommendation to the Associate Dean for DEI, Faculty Development, and Strategic Implementation.

  • Funds may only be used for expenses related to the project. Funds may not be used for compensation, course buyouts, or uses in conflict with university policy regarding expenditure of general funds.

  • 1-page report (single-space) describing outcomes and dissemination plan, should be submitted within 12 months of completion of the award.

Review Criteria 

i. Quality and Technical Merit-35% 

  • Builds on prior research.
  • Sound methodology or implementation plan 
  • Feasibility 
  • Innovative and creative approach to address a problem
  • Alignment with relevant strategic plans

ii. Impact of the Work-35% 

  • Potential to advance DEI scholarship
  • Practical relevance 
  • Promises identifiable research product (e.g., dissertation, article, etc.)
  • Potential to attract additional sponsored activities

iii. Capabilities, Demonstrated Productivity, and Experience of Applicants-20% 

  • PI
  • Record of past success

iv. Budget-10%

  • Costs equivalent to the work 
  • Appropriate use of small grant funds 

Diversity Matters