Project grants

To ensure fairness and avoid duplicate submissions, our grant process allows only one project grant application per student organization (regardless of which representative has submitted). However, individual students may also apply separately for projects unrelated to their student organization.

Eligibility criteria

• Individuals—Be currently enrolled student at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor campus.
• Organizations—Be a currently active student organization registered and in good standing through the Center for Campus Involvement.
• Your project must:
  • be a specific, finite activity that produces an observable, measurable, and tangible result. (It usually includes a series of interrelated tasks that are planned for execution over a fixed period of time and within certain requirements and limitations such as cost, quality, performance, others.)
  • positively contribute to and/or impact the LGBTQ+ community and climate.
  • be completed prior to an applicant's graduation date.

Funding limitations and exclusions

Grants are capped at a maximum of $500. Student organizations/individuals can receive up to $500 per semester, and funding must be used for the U-M community.

The following types of initiatives will not be funded and are subject to having funding revoked if an accepted submission later moves into a restricted category:

• initiatives that do not comply with the law and institutional policies
• political campaigns, including those for candidates, a party, or legislation on any level. Non-partisan educational initiatives are permitted
• religious services of any kind. Educational initiatives centered on religion and spirituality are permitted
• alumni-related activities and initiatives
• initiatives that promote or perpetuate bigotry towards marginalized communities, including but not exclusive to: racism, transphobia, homophobia, xenophobia, Islamophobia, anti-antisemitism, sexism, ableism, and classism.

Additionally, funds may not be used on:

• drugs, alcohol, or weapons
• personal expenses, including goods, services, and fees, that do not benefit the project
• providing direct financial benefit to a charity, fundraising efforts, or profit-making initiatives
• defense and prosecution of criminal and civil proceedings
• tuition and fees associated with attending the University of Michigan
• travel for off-campus trips, conferences, etc.
• compensation for employment
• departmental research or any form of research that has to go through the IRB or HSIP (though research for student projects that do not have to go through the IRB and/or HSIP is permitted)

If necessary, priority will be given to proposals that

• show commitment to anti-racist practices in planning and action
• are headed by or directly benefit queer people of marginalized faiths
• are not associated with a department or organization that can provide direct funds
• show commitment to our principles of work (action, accessibility, transparency, education, student leadership, and collaboration)
• align with at least two or more of our programmatic pillars

• Submit a detailed expected budget of expenses about the project
• Meet in person with a Spectrum Center staff after approval of their application.
• Maintain sustained and consistent communication with the Spectrum Center regarding the status of the project
• Provide any pertinent updates/changes to the Spectrum Center staff contact about the initiative (i.e. change of event date, time, or location; cancellation of event; etc…)
• Acknowledge the support of the LGBTQ+ Project Grant offered through Spectrum Center on promotional platforms/materials and initiative products
• Provide any expense receipts that were used from the Spectrum Center funding
• Work with Spectrum Center staff to portray the final project outcomes on the Spectrum Center website, as appropriate

Applicants can request funding during the fall and winter semesters only.

• Review eligibility criteria
• Complete the form and submit your application. Questions within the application process include:
  • Applicant’s contact information
  • Initiative title, purpose, description, and logistics
  • If applying as an organization - org name, shortcode, and project grant (for student organizations)
  • How does your initiative contribute to the experiences, awareness, and improvement of LGBTQ communities on campus?
  • Questions about potential collaborations with campus organizations
  • Logistical details of the initiative (projected # of attendees, target audience, marketing, etc…)
  • How much are you requesting? You will be expected to upload a forecasted budget expense.
  • Adherence to grant expectations
• Submit your application 6 weeks in advance to ensure that you receive the funds by the time of your event/project. Requests submitted less than 14 days before the event or project may not be considered.
• Spectrum Center staff will schedule a meeting with the applicant(s) via email or phone
• Funding decision will be communicated via email.