MSP Grant Program
The MSP grant program was established in 2010 as a way to provide support for our members’ activities that advance the mission of the MSP. A call goes out via our all unit-email list to let members know that the application period is open. The grant program is a member-only beneft. All active MSP members are eligible to apply.
Successful grants enhance the union’s work in areas such as membership involvement, political action, improving working conditions, internal organizing, coalition building and addressing diversity issues. Funding can be used to support events and campaigns, as well as research projects.
Applications
In order to apply, a 3-5 page grant application must be submitted via email to the MSP office. All projects are to be completed with in a year, and a six-month status report must be received by the MSP. Upon completion of the project, MSP and the grantee will discuss how the results of the project are to be disseminated, and how the work has advanced the union’s mission. Recipients of a grant award must serve on a future MSP Grant Committee.
Complete applications include:
- Your name, title and department
- A description of the research and/or other activity the grant will support (2-3 pages)
- Explanation of how the project specifically advances MSP goals (1 page)
- An itemized budget that clearly shows how requested funds are to be used
- Plans for publication/dissemination of the results
Current Application Deadlines
MSP Grant Timelines for 2022-2023 Academic Year:
*Please wait to submit applications until the call for grants goes out in March 2022.
- May 1st, 2023: Applications due to MSP
- May 31st, 2023: Applicants are notified by committee if project is funded
- Dec 1st, 2023: Status reports for funded projects are due to MSP
- May 1st, 2024: Deadline of notice to MSP of funded project’s completion and plans for publication/dissemination
Examples of Previously Funded Grants
2021/2022
- Expansion of the UMass Mutual Aid Project
- Uncovering how UMass Faculty experience work post-pandemic
2020/2021
- Sociocracy training for everyone at librarians
- Asian and Asian American Studies Certificate Program lunches/dinners discussing advocacy and mobilizing
- Evaluate perspectives from UMass undergraduate students of color and teens of color affiliated with youth groups and mentoring programs in Mass
- Understanding Faculty and Librarian Perspectives on Umass Carbon Mitigation Efforts
2018
- Support for campus involvement with labor and film conference
- Librarian learning circle with Emergent Strategy book
- Workshops and panels on political education for social justice work of educators
- Examine faculty salary information on gender wage gap and impact of faculty unions
2017
- Research on the effect of faculty unions on the gender wage gap and how the gender wage gap varies at comparable universities
2016
- Examining non-traditional African American males at public higher education institutions in MA
- MSP database improvements, including security and digital filing
2015
- Analysis of MSP Advocacy/Grievance Cases 2000-2015
- College affordability forum
- Demystifying the UMass budget
- Cultivating Communities of Support for Faculty of Color, for consideration
- Evaluation of the section 60 pension reform
- Workshops for colleges and schools regarding open access
2014
- Diversity sensitivity training for library employees
- Researching the implication of Vermont's universal healthcare policy for MTA
- Workshops for personnel committees about community-engaged scholarship
2013
- Study of the causes and consequence of mounting student debt in MA
2012
- 2 forums around issue of diversity and to coordinate efforts between faculty senate and MSP for faculty-wide initiative
- Research on member mobilization in unions of professionals
- Research on role of trade unions in financial regulatory policy making
2011
- Research of how single payer health insurance system would eliminate the state’s budget gap