The Global Islamic Studies Center (GISC) offers funding for all U-M undergraduate students pursuing projects in the field of Islamic studies or attendance of conferences, courses, and internships related to topics in Islam and Muslim Communities.
Islamic studies minors are given priority to this funding. Funds may be used to pursue individual research projects, internships, or to attend/present research that explores topics in Islam and Muslim communities (this includes language learning courses). Awards of up to $500 are granted, depending on the number and character of successful proposals. Awards are disbursed on a rolling basis. Students who are awarded Undergraduate Funding are required to complete a short 1,000-word fellowship report after their research/internship. All fellowship application materials must be received by the GISC office. Submit your complete application materials to islamicstudies@umich.edu.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Students who have declared a minor in Islamic studies will be given preference.
The GISC Undergraduate Fellowship Funding may be used for the following:
- Language training - to offset costs of program fees for language learning.
- Research support - to offset costs for an original project supporting Senior thesis completion.
- Summer projects in the U.S. or abroad that are in the field of Islamic studies
- Internship experiences - this includes stipends for unpaid internships
- Covering costs of conference, workshop, or course that explores topics in Islam and Muslim communities (this includes language learning courses). GISC will cover costs for attendance and/or presenting at the online conference, workshop, or course.
Award Announcement:
Awards are typically announced 1-2 weeks after application submission, by email, on a rolling basis.
Post-Funding Requirement:
*Due two weeks after project completion*
Students who are awarded Undergraduate Funding are required to complete a short 1,000-word fellowship report summarizing their activities to be shared in the GISC News & Events Newsletter. Reports are due two weeks after research/travel completion. Please review the report requirements here before submission.
All application materials should be submitted to islamicstudies@umich.edu. Reports should be submitted two weeks after research/travel completion to islamicstudies@umich.edu.
Application Requirements:
The following application materials are required of all applicants. Please read the instructions carefully.
- GISC Undergraduate Student Fellowship Funding Application [Download by clicking]
- Statement of Purpose: No more than 1,000 words describing what you plan to do with the GISC Undergraduate Student Fellowship Funding.
- Budget Statement: Please attach a budget statement with exact costs (e.g., tuition statements), or reasonable estimates of costs citing 2-3 references (e.g., airline tickets, rental estimates, etc.). Please also include anticipated costs and all sources of support (pending and confirmed)
- You may request tuition and mandatory fees, health insurance, living costs, direct research expenses (such as books, photocopy, small equipment, library and museum fees, and subject fees) as well as travel expenses related to your language study (such as airfare, ground transportation, and lodging).
- Computers, including laptops, are not allowed.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV): Your up-to-date CV.
- Current U-M Official Transcript: You may include a signed note granting permission to the GISC staff to access electronically your current U-M transcript and to place a copy in your fellowship application file. If you choose NOT to do so, you must submit a current official U-M electronic transcript. To be considered official, transcripts must be prepared by the office of the registrar.
We expect applicants will also explore other sources of support, where appropriate.
A written report on how applicants spent their funding will be required two weeks after completion of the project/internship. This report will be featured on the GISC website and annual report. For more information on what is expected in the report, please review this document carefully.
Successful proposals have demonstrated long-term scholarly impact, shown educational value for undergraduate support, contributed to the broader mission of GISC, and leveraged other sources of support. Please submit all materials to IslamicStudies@umich.edu.
GISC Undergraduate Fellowship Recipients
Other Funding Resources:
Travel Policy:
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, all travel must follow current guidelines, which are detailed in the International Institute Travel Policy.
Any student who receives funding from a U-M unit for their travel abroad must follow the directives of the U-M International Travel Policy and the specified guidelines regarding U-M Travel Warning and Restriction locations. Please visit Global Michigan to check the current travel designation for the destination country. Approval MUST be received from The International Oversight Committee (ITOC) prior to departure to a destination on the U-M Travel Warning or medium risk list. Travel to a restricted or high risk destination is prohibited for undergraduate students. Steps for completing requirements are outlined in the Flowchart for Travel and Safety Plans.
