UM-Flint has launched the Engage Flint Grant Program to enhance community ties through collaborative, community-focused projects. This initiative, spearheaded by the Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, aims to strengthen partnerships between UM-Flint faculty and the Flint and Genesee County community. By supporting projects that emphasize shared knowledge and community needs, the program encourages innovative, mutually beneficial collaborations.
The Engage Flint Grant Program will fund up to 12 projects during the 2026-27 academic year, with individual grants covering project budgets up to $12,000. The Office of the Provost will provide up to $9,000 per project, while applicants must secure a 25% cost share from a university unit or external partner. Eligible initiatives include workshops, speaker series, and experiential learning opportunities, all designed to unite students, faculty, staff, and community members around Flint’s key issues.
Unlike traditional outreach, this program mandates co-creation, requiring applicants to show how community partners have shaped project development. The emphasis is on collaboration, ensuring both university and community gain from the partnership. Provost Abby Parrill-Baker stated, “This program reflects our commitment to meaningful, reciprocal partnerships with the communities we serve.” She emphasized the importance of community input in shaping project ideas, processes, and outcomes.
Project proposals must be led by UM-Flint faculty or staff and will be evaluated on the depth of community collaboration, clarity of planning, and alignment with shared goals. Selected projects will operate from September 2026 to August 2027, with ongoing reporting and final assessments developed alongside community partners. Interested individuals should submit applications by May 15 and can inquire further by emailing umflintprovost@umich.edu.
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