Student Mini-Grants

About

A Student Mini-Grant (SMG) is a monetary grant of up to $1000 to support student-led arts initiatives. Undergraduate U-M students from all three campuses can apply for a grant for their own project, or as part of an undergraduate student organization. Check out the FAQs and SMG Guidelines for more detail about the program.

How can my project get a Mini-Grant?

To qualify for a SMG, complete an application describing how your independent project or student org's project fulfills the SMG Criteria. Applicants must also provide a detailed budget for the project. Please note that Student Mini-Grants are limited to undergraduate students and student organizations, check out Other Funding Sources for organizations that provide funds to graduate students, staff and faculty.

Funding Process

If you have applied as a student organization, you must have an SOAS account to be awarded funding, as funds are transferred directly from The Arts Initiative to your SOAS account. If your project is not part of a student organization, you will be asked to speak to your department's financial administrator, who can use departmental chartfields to have funds transferred through your academic department to your student account. If you are awarded funding, we will send a record of the transfer to SOAS or your departmental administrator, through whom you will be able to access your funds.

Applying

Understanding the guidelines and criteria is the first step to applying for a grant. We also suggest that all applicants read our FAQ before they begin applying.

Already Received Funding?

Your feedback is very important to us. It helps us see how well our funded programs are received on campus and the effects they have on the university population. If you were an applicant to or in the program, please fill out a feedback form.

Get Arts Initiative Logos

Arts Initiative provides many opportunities for funding student projects, student organization projects, arts initiatives and faculty activities. If you've been funded by us, please include our logo on your marketing and distribution material.

Deadlines

SMG Applications will be reviewed five times annually. When applying, please make sure that your event takes place well after the notification date. We do not provide funding for events that have already occurred so we encourage you to apply early! To be eligible during a cycle, your application must be received before the Application date of that cycle, and your proposed event/activity must be scheduled for a date after the Notification date. We are not able to fund retroactively.

Cycle Application Deadline Notification Date
24-25 Cycle 1 Friday, September 13, 2024 Friday, September 20, 2024
24-25 Cycle 2 Friday, October 11, 2024 Friday, October 25, 2024
24-25 Cycle 3 Friday, November 22, 2024 Friday, December 6, 2024
24-25 Cycle 4 Friday, January 17, 2025 Friday, January 31, 2025
24-25 Cycle 5 Friday, February 28, 2025 Friday, March 14, 2025