FUNDING | ARTS INITIATIVE

Student Mini Grants

Up to $1,000

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Applications will reopen in Fall 2026

A Student Mini-Grant (SMG) is a monetary grant of up to $1,000 to support student-led arts initiatives. Undergraduate students from all three campuses can apply for a grant for their own project, or as part of an undergraduate student organization.

Guidelines

All funded projects must meet the following criteria:

  • Employ peer-to-peer leadership and expertise to promote undergraduate student learning through the arts

  • Instill a sense of the power of the arts to enhance understanding, build communities, and transform lives

  • Create a significant impact on student life and learning at U-M

Projects should also meet one or more of the following:

  • Expose undergraduate students to unfamiliar art forms and communities

  • Use the arts to address challenging topics

  • Increase understanding of or proficiency in the arts

  • Involve diverse communities for cultural exchange

The Arts Initiative welcomes funding requests for new programs and initiatives, as well as annual or recurring programs that are meaningfully growing—whether in audience reach, programming depth, or community impact.

Deadlines

SMG applications are reviewed five times per year. To be considered in a given cycle, the application must be submitted before that cycle's application deadline, and the proposed event or activity must be scheduled to take place after the notification date. Early applications are encouraged.

Dates for 2026–2027 will be announced in Fall 2026.

    • Applicants must be undergraduate students. Graduate students are not eligible.

    • All projects must be open & accessible to the U-M community. Projects that exclusively serve a select group of individuals or only an organization's own members are not eligible for funding.

    • Projects must be scheduled to take place after the notification date for the cycle in which the application is submitted. Grants are not funded retroactively.

    • An organization may receive up to two awards per academic year, provided each application represents a significantly different project. For umbrella organizations that produce numerous independent projects (ex. Basement Arts), the two-award limit applies per student, not per organization.

  • Student Mini Grant funds can not be used for:

    • Food or beverages

    • Transportation expenses for groups or guest artists

    • Photography or videography of a project, unless documentation is integral to the project itself

    • Events or activities that have already taken place

    Culture Shows & Festivals
    Funding is not available for large annual events not centered around the arts. Funding may be considered for specific arts-related expenses (such as a performer or arts feature), which should be clearly itemized in the budget.

    Charitable Donations
    Donating proceeds to charity is permitted, however additional restrictions apply. A Designated Fund (DF) account through SOAS may be required. For more information, contact SOAS at (734) 763-5767.

  • Awardees are required to:

    • Include the Arts Initiative logo in all printed and digital materials related to the funded activity (flyers, posters, programs, websites, etc.)

    • Complete the required Student Mini-Grants Feedback forms. Failure to do so may affect the group's eligibility for future funding.

    • Notify the Arts Initiative of any major changes to the planned activity, including changes to the date, time, venue, or event name.

  • The decision of the Student Mini-Grant Review Committee is final. Appeals regarding rejections or award amounts cannot be considered.

  • For questions about Student Mini Grants, contact Arts Initiative Director of Student Engagement, Joe Levickas, at levickas@umich.edu