African Heritage Initiative (AHI)
Seed Grants For Collaborative Research Projects
2015 CALL FOR PROPOSALS – Overview of Grant Opportunity
The African Heritage Initiative (AHI) of the African Studies Center is making research funds available to support
collaborative research projects. The expected seed-funding award will be between $5,000 and $10,000. We plan
to offer two or three awards for work being undertaken in summertime 2015 and in SY2015-16.
Eligibility: These grants are intended to support scholarship produced by the University of Michigan's faculty in
the arts, humanities and interpretive social sciences whose work illuminates the dynamic, contested process by
which African cultures and histories are made. We aim to encourage the development of overlapping, intersecting
research projects that bring African scholars into close conversation with U-M researchers.
Award Amount: Between $5,000 to $10,000
Example of Past Projects:
We have over the past several years supported a range of projects, such as:
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A collaborative study of opera in South Africa involving faculty at U-M and at the University of
Witwatersrand
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Joint research on the heritage market in post-genocide Rwanda involving a U-M historian and a political
scientist at the National University of Rwanda

A museum exhibition in Kano, Nigeria displaying cloth manufactured in the city's old textile factory jointly
curated by U-M and Nigerian scholars
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In these and in other grants our aim is to create a framework within which U-M scholars can develop
relationships with African scholars. The hope is that these seed grants will incubate work that can attract
larger amounts of funding
Criteria

Applicants must be full-time members of the U-M faculty

Project builds upon existing scholarship, demonstrates originality and innovation, and offers notable
academic value

Project deepens collaborative partnerships with African counterparts

Scope of work is reasonable for 12 to 18 months

Project has potential for future expansion / scale up
Proposal Due: February 20, 2015
Notice of Award: March 30, 2015; Disbursal of funds: April 30, 2015 or after
Application Material
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Application cover sheet
Maximum 2-page description of the project must address:
o Context of work; Specific activities proposed for funding; Rationale, noting originality and
significance of the work; Partnerships (if any), and expected role of listed parties; Plan for
continuation of the proposed project
Budget (max 1 page), distinguishing travel, salary, supplies/equipment, other
A list of any funding requests under review for the same project
Timeline
CV(s) of the Applicant, listed partners, and students proposed for funding
Submission Instructions
All application material should be emailed to asc-contact@umich.edu as a single PDF. The coversheet can be
completed via the form below. The PDF file name and email subject line MUST be labeled “HERITAGE
SEED GRANT_ [YOUR LAST NAME]”.
ii.umich.edu/asc
Ph: (734) 615-3027 | E: asc-contact@umich.edu
African Heritage Initiative (AHI)
Seed Grants For Collaborative Research Projects
2015 CALL FOR PROPOSALS – COVERSHEET
Title of Proposed Project:
Co-Principal Investigator – Africa:
Co-PI Institution – Africa:
Co-PI – Africa Email / Cellphone:
Signature (electronic acceptable):
Michigan Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI):
Michigan Co-PI Institution:
Michigan Co- PI Email / Cellphone:
Signature (electronic acceptable):
Additional Co-Investigators:
Name
Position/Title
Department
Institution
Signature of UM Co-PI Department chair / dean / administrative representative:
Name (Printed):
Position:
Signature:
Date:
ii.umich.edu/asc
Ph: (734) 615-3027 | E: asc-contact@umich.edu
African Heritage Initiative (AHI) Seed Grants For Collaborative Research Projects
2015 Call for Proposals – Coversheet
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Project Abstract (Limited to 300 words):
Background:
Methods:
Anticipated Results:
Significance:
ii.umich.edu/asc
Ph: (734) 615-3027 | E: asc-contact@umich.edu