Course Connections

Up to $750 may be obtained through Course Connection grants to support course-related arts learning activities. For projects that are integrated into more than one course, funding of up to $1,000 will be considered.

Funds may be used for:

• Admissions to museums and performances

• Workshops by visiting artists

• Course projects, such as theatrical performances, exhibitions, etc.

Note: Grant funds cannot be used to pay for refreshments.

If an activity is a mandatory or central element in the curriculum for a recurring course, it may not be the best fit for Course Connections funding.

Course Connections applications are reviewed at several deadlines throughout the academic year, and a limited amount of funds are available each round. Applications may be submitted at any time, but will be reviewed the week after the closest application deadline. Recipients will receive notification of funding no later than the listed notification date. 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.

Four application cycles for the 2026–2027 academic year:

• Deadline August 10 | Notification by August 20

• Deadline September 21 | Notification by October 1

• Deadline November 30 | Notification by December 10

• Deadline February 1 | Notification by February 11

Instructors (faculty, staff, and graduate student instructors) for classes in any department from all three U-M campuses are eligible to apply for Course Connections funding.

Note: Applicants may only apply for project funding twice each semester and only one project per application cycle.

Course Connections seeds arts integrations in classes. If an activity becomes a regular part of your class or is a mandatory class component, speak with your department about incorporating those elements into the curriculum and/or being supported by course or lab fees. Course Connections is designed to fund activities that will complement the core curriculum and expand upon the traditional classroom experience.

1. Apply online through the Course Connections Application Form.

2. If granted funding, we will request the appropriate shortcodes from your departmental administrator.

3. Funds will be transferred directly from the Arts Initiative to your department and a record of the transfer will be sent to the administrator. Please allow 4 weeks from the time you apply to complete this process. Applying early is the best way to receive your funds on time!

We ask you to incorporate the Arts Initiative logo in any printed or web material (flyers, posters, programs, websites, etc.) associated with your Course Connections funded activity. Logos can be obtained from our marketing page.

You and the student participants will be asked to complete brief Course Connections feedback forms. These forms allow us to continue our grant funding programs.

Feedback is the most important way we learn about the progress of programs we funded. There are two feedback forms: a faculty feedback form for those who applied for funding, and a student feedback form for those who participated in the funded activity, as audience members, visitors and participants.

• Faculty Feedback Form

• Student Feedback Form

For questions about Course Connections funding, contact courseconnections@umich.edu.