African Initiative Grants and Fellowship Program
Application

Frequently Asked Questions

CAAS is pleased to announce a set of initiatives in the area of African Studies. The initiative is intended to provide higher visibility for a variety of activities already undertaken and planned in African Studies at the Center.

Map of Africa

The Program
Rackham Graduate School will provide funds for grants and fellowships for current UM graduate students interested in African Studies. Each academic year, funds will be available to support graduate students who are studying or researching in the field of African Studies.

Eligibility
Current University of Michigan graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants must plan to embark on a course of study and research in the field of African Studies.

Funding
Students can apply for small grants under $10,000 to support summer, thesis and dissertation research. A small number of fellowships are granted.

Selection Criteria
Applications for the African Initiative Grants and Fellowships will be received by the CAAS Fellowships Committee. The committee is composed of CAAS faculty members. The following factors are taken into consideration when selecting fellows and research grant recipients.

1. The applicant's academic background (curriculum vita and transcript).
2. The relationship of the proposed project to African Studies
3. The significance of the proposed project to the applicant's field and the potential for the project to have an impact on the field.
4. The relationship of the research questions being explored and the proposed project activities.
5. The viability for the proposed project and the likelihood that it will be completed in the time period specified.
6. The clarity of the research proposal (grant applications) or statement of purpose (fellowship applicants)
7. Strength of the letters of recommendation
8. The applicant's participation in CAAS activities (considered for current U-M students only).

Conditions of Awards
Recipients of the award are expected to be actively involved in the life of the Center. In particular, they are expected to participate in CAAS' African Workshop and make a presentation of their work or studies at the Center. Participation in activities in CAAS will be considered for applicants seeking funding.

Application Materials
NEW! The following materials (except for letters of recommendation) must be emailed as Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word attachments by 12 midnight February 16 to CAASafricaninitiative@umich.edu :

1. An application cover letter (for students applying to the center directly).
2. A nomination (for applicants being nominated by a department or school).
3. A completed African Initiative Grants and Fellowship application. Applications are accepted starting September 2.
4. A curriculum vitae that includes the applicant's academic background: work history, list of honors, grants, scholarships and awards; publications or research papers; conference and workshop participation; membership in professional associations; past teaching experience; and language proficiency.
5. A transcript (original or a copy of one).
6. Two letters of recommendation, sent to CAAS directly from the referees.
7. Applicants applying for a research grant must submit a research proposal that includes literature review, research questions, significance of the project, methodology, a budget, schedule of activities, and bibliography (5 pages maximum).
8. Departments nominating students for a fellowship must include a statement of purpose from the student describing their background, what they hope to study while at the university, statement of possible research area, how the resources (faculty, libraries, collections, etc.) are likely to influence the applicant's intellectual development, and how U-M matches the applicants interests and abilities, and a schedule for the completion of the degree (5 pages maximum).

Application Deadline: Applications are due in CAAS by 12 midnight, February 16. In years where the 16th falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday. To be considered, all application materials, including letters of recommendation must reach CAAS by the deadline.

Award Notification: Applicants will be notified about the status of their application by March 31.

For more information contact:
African Initiative Program
Center for Afroamerican and African Studies
The University of Michigan
505 S. State St.4700 Haven
Ann Arbor , MI 48109-1045 , USA
Telephone: (734) 764-5513
Fax: (734) 763-0543
Email: CAASafricaninitiative@umich.edu Website: http://www.umich.edu/~iinet/caas

Kevin Gaines, Director
University of Michigan Center for Afroamerican and African Studies
505 S. State St.| 4700 Haven | Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1045 | (734) 764-5513 | Fax (734)763-0543

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