GRANT APPLICATIONS
Grant Information and Requirements
The Research for Indigenous Social Action and Equity (RISE) Center Research Grants
The RISE Indigenous Research Grant Program supports research projects that advance the center’s goal of propagating accurate, expansive, and empowering narratives of Indigenous Peoples by Indigenous Peoples and improving the understanding and treatment of Indigenous Peoples throughout society.
For questions, email: risecenter@umich.edu and include “RISE Research Grant Inquiry” in the subject line
Eligibility
We welcome submissions from researchers in both academic and non-academic settings (e.g., non-profits, NGOs). Grants will be awarded to support original research focused on Indigenous issues and informed by Indigenous experiences and perspectives. We particularly welcome proposals for research involving Indigenous participants, led by Indigenous researchers, and/or conducted in collaboration with Indigenous communities. Graduate students are eligible to apply.
The typical amount of grants is $5,000 for graduate student/non-PhD researchers and $10,000 for faculty and/or non-academic organizational PhD-level researchers. Larger proposal amounts may be considered for projects that are timely and highly relevant to current issues. Regrants may be an option – please indicate in your application if you anticipate requesting a regrant from RISE to complete your project.
Allowable expense categories include staff salaries, hourly research assistant salaries (excluding tuition), subject honoraria, and research-related travel.
No indirect costs, overhead costs, graphic design, consultant, computer/technology-related items or mass travel expenses are allowed. Postdoctoral research salaries are not allowed.
PLEASE NOTE: Projects involving human subjects must have Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval prior to beginning research (if the research requires IRB approval).
Selection Process
Each proposal will be reviewed by a panel of reviewers and voted on by the RISE board. Panelists will rate and comment on the following:
- Project Description: Reviewers will evaluate the clarity and strength of the proposed work, including the aim, theoretical rationale, research questions/hypotheses, methods, and analytic plan.
- The Need for the Project and Anticipated Contributions: Reviewers will evaluate the proposal’s likelihood of improving Indigenous Peoples’ wellbeing, advancing Indigenous equity, and/or improving understanding and treatment of Indigenous Peoples in society. Special consideration will be given to projects that are timely and highly relevant to contemporary Indigenous issues and/or those that expand the literature by illuminating Indigenous experiences.
- Budget: Reviewers will evaluate the clarity and adequacy of the budget to complete the proposed work.
- Timeline and Feasibility: Reviewers will evaluate the feasibility and clarity of project milestones, as well as the adequacy of plans to navigate potential risks or challenges.
- Project Team: Reviewers will comment on the potential of the investigator(s) to complete the proposed work, including plans to obtain additional support as needed to successfully carry out the project.
- Dissemination: Our goal is to put research into action. Therefore, special attention will be paid to plans for disseminating research to both academic and lay audiences. Applicants are encouraged to consider how they will involve Indigenous communities or stakeholders in dissemination.