Mini-Grants - Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues

Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues

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Graduate and Undergraduate Mini-Grant Program

The Joseph A. Myers Center for Research on Native American Issues invites UC Berkeley graduate and undergraduate students to apply for grants to assist with the development of student research projects on issues affecting Native American communities in the U.S. today. 

Established in the fall of 2010, the mission of the Center is to provide people of Indian country with pragmatic research products that can be employed to improve the quality of life for Native Americans throughout the U.S.  The Center fulfills this mission by bringing the resources of the University to Native communities.  The Center promotes research, offers mini-grants, fellowships, and training opportunities to Berkeley students, publishes findings, and hosts conferences, colloquia and other events open to the public on topics of concern to Native communities.

Eligibility

Full-time UC Berkeley undergraduate and graduate students who are conducting individual research projects on issues affecting Native American communities in the U.S. are eligible to apply.  Proposals that support undergraduate thesis or graduate dissertation research are strongly encouraged.  

Undergraduates may apply for grants up to $500.  Graduate students may apply for grants up to $1,000.

Grant Period and Use of Funds

Grants will be awarded in December 2024.  Funds must be used by December 31, 2025.  Any unused funds will be retained by the Center.  Funds may be used only to pay direct costs related to the proposed project, such as travel to research sites, research supplies, photocopying, transcription services, and equipment rental.  Funds may not be used for equipment purchases, stipends, living expenses, conference attendance or educational travel.  Grant payments will be made in the form of reimbursement for expenses.  

Requirements

All students must work with a faculty mentor.  (Faculty mentors may include Lecturers and other non-Senate Academic Staff.) The student’s mentor must commit to supporting and advising the applicant throughout the research project. 

Students must submit a final report no later than December 31, 2025 containing an itemized expense report, a statement of what was accomplished, and a list of papers and/or publications that directly or indirectly result from the grant. 

Application Process

Access the online form and submit your application here.

Applications are due on Monday, November 18, 2024 by 4:00pm.  Late applications will not be considered. All applications must include the following materials: (Incomplete applications will not be considered.)

  • Section I: Applicant Information and Agreement Form

  • Section II: Abstract (up to 250 words), description of your project, including the contribution the research will make to the study of contemporary issues that are of concern to the Native community where you will be doing your research (up to 1,000 words), and timeline (up to 250 words)

  • Section III: Budget and Explanation of Budget 

  • Section IV: Protection of Human Subjects Compliance

  • Section V: Curriculum Vitae or Resumé

  • Section VI: Signed Mentor Agreement Form

Please submit your application and upload your attachments via the online form here.

Applicants will be notified by December 16th, 2024.

For more information, please send an email to crnai@berkeley.edu.