Go Grants Initiative
Do you have an idea that could help CMU achieve its strategic priorities? Consider applying for a Go Grant to bring that idea to life!
The Go Grants initiative was designed to help CMU students, faculty and staff engage with the university’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan in a meaningful way. These targeted grants, ranging in value from $5,000 to $50,000, will provide funding for proposals that are aligned with CMU’s strategic planning priorities and goals and that have potential to make a positive impact on students and/or the communities we serve.
Why “Go Grants?”
The word “go” implies immediate action and motion, and that’s exactly what we hope Go Grants will drive! These one-time funds are intended to inspire action on CMU’s strategic priorities, helping our community achieve its goals in meaningful ways and involving more of our students, faculty and staff in this important university-wide effort.
Go Grant proposal criteria
- Any CMU student, faculty or staff member may apply for a Go Grant. Groups of students, faculty and staff, departments, divisions and other CMU stakeholder groups are also eligible to apply.
- Proposals must be aligned with one or more of the strategic plan priorities:
- Proposals must be submitted between Wednesday, February 12 and Friday, March 21, 2025. No late proposals will be accepted.
- Proposals must be submitted by completing the online submission form.
Please note: Submissions for course releases are not eligible for Go Grants.
Submission deadline
Proposals must be submitted by close of business Friday, March 21, 2025. All proposals must be submitted using the online submission form.
Proposal development assistance
If you have questions about how your proposed initiative may align with the 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, contact Joe Garrison (University Budget Officer and Assistant to the University President for Strategic Initiatives) by email at strategicplanning@cmich.edu. Dr. Garrison can also connect applicants with conveners of one of the priority working groups for assistance while developing a proposal.
Review process
All submitted proposals will be reviewed by a panel consisting of conveners from strategic planning working groups, as well as members of the Budget Priorities Committee. The review criteria will include how well each proposal:
- Aligns with strategic plan priorities and SMART goals
- Articulates positive impact on students and/or the communities served by CMU
- Demonstrates a positive return on investment (either mission-based or financial)
The review panel will consider submissions beginning in late March and into April. The review panel’s goal is to select approximately 20-25 proposals spanning the four strategic priorities.
Award process and awards
In late April, proposals selected by the review panel will be sent to CMU President Neil MacKinnon for consideration and final review. Winning submissions will be notified sometime in late April/early May, and a campus-wide communication announcing all winners will be published on CMU News before the end of the semester. Funding will be available for use by grant recipients following the announcement of the selected proposals.
Funding for Go Grants
The Go Grants initiative was established with a one-time funding pool of $500,000. Funds for this initiative come from the President’s Investment Fund.