51³Ô¹ÏÍø the Program
Funded by the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship (ORCS), the University Grant Program supports innovative research and creative work across disciplines. The goal of the program is to catalyze new projects that will bring additional funding and expanded opportunities to UM. Competitive proposals demonstrate a commitment to increasing UM’s research and creative impact.
Unless otherwise specified, funds may be requested by faculty in any area of research or creative work. Successful proposals may be funded at less than the amount requested.
Please note that there are two tracks, Small and Seed.
UGP 2026 Timeline
- Proposal deadline: February 25, 2026
- Notification: April 2026
- Project start dates: May 1, 2026-June 1, 2026
- Project end dates: April 30, 2027-June 29, 2027
Limit on the number of proposals
Applicants may submit only one UGP proposal each year.
Small Grants, 10–15 awards
The UGP Small Grant program will fund $50,000 across approximately 10-15 awards. With that in mind, budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the project. The purpose of the Small Grants program is to support research and creative activity and increase high-quality scholarly output by UM faculty. Funding for new research or creative activity will be prioritized above proposals seeking funding for other purposes, such as to present at conferences.
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Artistic performances, presentations, and commissions
- Workshops or symposia to directly enhance the PI’s research, creative activity, and career exposure
- Initiation, completion or expansion of a research project in any field
- Exhibitions of creative work
- Book publication projects
- Demonstrating feasibility of an approach or method
- Travel to conduct fieldwork or research at a specialized facility, archive, or special collection
Seed Grants, 6-8 awards
The UGP Seed Grant program will fund approximately $100,000 across approximately 6-8 awards. With that in mind, budgets are not limited but need to reflect the actual needs of the project. Proposals in any area of research or creative work are welcome.
Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to:
- Obtaining preliminary data
- Contributing to the development of a prototype
- Piloting an art residency program
- Translating innovative new ideas and products
- Exploration and development of small projects that would enhance community engagement in the humanities
- Assessment of pilot data for preliminary planning of an intervention to improve outcomes in health, education, etc.
- Pilot study to test an intervention
- Preliminary work to lay the foundation for an external grant proposal in any field of research or creative scholarship