Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants (CIEG)

Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants (CIEG) is sponsored by Michigan State University. This program offers grants to faculty and staff for projects that advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives.

## Inclusive Excellence and Impact # Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants Foremost among MSU’s values is**inclusiveness**_. _ Inclusiveness provides opportunities for learners from all backgrounds to bring their passion and talent and join a vibrant, intellectual community built on mutual respect.

The MSU community has the opportunity to create synergy within and across organizational systems in support of an inclusive educational and work environment through the Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants, or CIEG program.

CIEG funding presents an opportunity for colleges and academic units to engage in efforts that will enhance academic quality, and through clearly articulated outcomes,**demonstrably benefit students and create a more inclusive campus community for all. ** Each funding category requires evidence of support from unit or relevant administrators. Proposals will**NOT**be considered without the requisite evidence of support.

_Funding for CIEG Projects will be dependent on the availability of resources. If there is a change in our ability to fund projects, notice will be provided to grant recipients as soon as possible.

_ **Deadline for submission: May 4, 2026** ### Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants program overview For more than 50 years, Michigan State University has sought to provide central support for the advancement and success of all Spartans in alignment with the institution’s public land-grant mission, values and strategic priorities.

While the work initially focused on meeting federal, state and local compliance regulations, it has evolved to address the following institutional priorities: promote access for all, ensure equal opportunity for success and nurture excellence in education, research and service for global impact.

Since 2005, the CIEG Program has provided funding to colleges, as well as other academic and administrative units, individuals and groups to engage in efforts that enhance the overall learning, living and working environment for students, staff and faculty at MSU.

Proposals are welcome which aim to advance the following priorities: * To expand pathways to success at MSU * To provide meaningful resources for growth and advancement of students, staff and faculty * To nurture talent and innovation for a global community #### Submit proposals on Qualtrics * Funding GuidelinesThe CIEG Program provides up to $7,500 maximum support for**single-year project proposals**.

Proposals that exceed this amount or are designed as multi-year projects will not be considered. However, the CIEG Program Selection Committee will favorably review single-year project proposals that request matching funds that do not exceed $7,500 if evidence of the matching fund commitment from another source is provided. Funding for CIEG projects is dependent upon available resources.

Grant recipients will be notified immediately of circumstances that may delay or impede the funding of proposals. There are two (2) funding categories: one for colleges, academic and administrative units, and one for individuals and groups. Each proposal requires evidence of support from the relevant unit-level administrator, supervisor or advisor.

Please note that proposals will not be considered without the requisite evidence of support.

* Funding Category 1: Colleges, academic and administrative unitsColleges, academic and administrative units are encouraged to submit proposals that align with MSU’s mission, values and institutional priorities related to access, opportunity and excellence,and include evidence of support from the relevant unit-level administrator, supervisor or advisor.

* Funding Category 2: Individuals and groupsIndividual students, staff or faculty, and related groups associated with colleges, academic and administrative units are encouraged to submit proposals that align with MSU’s mission, values and institutional priorities related to access, opportunity and excellence,[](https://president. msu. edu/initiatives/index.

html)and include evidence of support from the relevant unit-level administrator, supervisor or advisor. Proposals must not exceed six (6) pages of narrative and address the following: 1. Primary audience(s) or beneficiary of support 1.

Student, staff, faculty, other 1. Explanation of the proposed activity, citing benefits and challenges, in alignment with the university’smission, values and[](https://president. msu.

edu/initiatives/index. html)institutional priorities related to access, opportunity and excellence[](https://president. msu.

edu/initiatives/index. html) 3. Anticipated outcomes and impacts 1.

Metrics or other measures utilized to determine overall effectiveness or success, and mechanisms for providing feedback and/or improvement 5. Considerations for sustainability 1. Discuss how efforts will continue and be supported beyond CIEG funding **A detailed line-item budget breakdown is required, highlighting the following:** 1.

Salary and wages (where appropriate-faculty salaries, including buyouts and summer salaries, may, under certain circumstances, be included in the budget for funding consideration) 3. Supplies, services and commitment 5. Unit match or external funding sources and amount 6.

Total FTE(s) to be hired through this project (including temporary personnel, and FTE graduate assistant (GA) or research assistant (RA) _Expenditures not included in the original budget proposal will not be approved_ 1. Coming from the relevant unit-level administrator, supervisor or advisor, e.g., vice president, dean, chair, director, etc. 1.

**Significance –**Does the proposed project address a challenge or opportunity that will lead to meaningful improvement in promoting access for all members of the Spartan community, either within a unit or across the institution, and does it align with our public land-grant mission, institutional values and strategic priorities? 2.

**Collaboration –**Does the proposed project involve collaboration within and/or across academic or administrative units or external partners? 3. **Outcomes and impact –**What are the intended outcomes of this effort and how will best practices or results be disseminated?

Could this project serve as a model for other units or the institution to adopt? 4. **Evaluation –**Does the proposal identify metrics or other measures to determine overall effectiveness or success, and mechanisms for providing feedback and/or improvement?

5. **Sustainability –**Are clear and feasible actions and resources identified that support the sustainability of these efforts beyond CIEG funding? 6.

**Letter(s) of support –**Letters of support from relevant unit-level administrators, supervisors or advisors, e.g., vice president, dean, chair, director, etc., must be provided at the time of proposal submission or the proposal will not be reviewed.

_Please ensure your submitted proposal aligns with Michigan State University guidance, located here:__Government Relations_ _If you have a question related to a specific program or activity, please review the Michigan State University Office of the General Counsel Legal Topics FAQs page. _ * Directions and deadline for submission**Proposals are due May 4, 2026**, and should be submitted electronically (preferred method). https://msu.

co1. qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_0kcZozeIbuSScfk[](https://msu.

co1. qualtrics. com/jfe/form/SV_3Qas1F01WLG0u9g) Award notices will be provided in June.

If you are not able to submit your proposal electronically, please mail completed materials, including the contact sheet, to: Office for Inclusive Excellence and Impact 426 Auditorium Road 444 Administration Building Contact the CIEG team at cieg@msu. edu.

## Creating Inclusive Excellence Grants * Recently Funded Projects ### Hiring & Recruitment Resources * Conflict of Interest in Employment * Notice of Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation * Sponsorship request form * Logos and brand guidelines * (517) 353-4563 353-4563) * Call MSU: **(517) 355-1855** * **Notice of Nondiscrimination**