Launch Awards Program (LAP)

The Diversity Research Network (DRN) invites applications for competitive awards under the auspices of the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion. The DRN-LAP is intended for faculty of color and diversity scholars at MSU. The award is intended to aid scholars in launching new research through pilot study, creative projects of scholarly merit or the enhancement of a measure or technique. Work that benefits diverse scholars or populations will be prioritized. Collaborations across departments or colleges are also of high priority.

Aim: Consistent with the goals of the DRN, the DRN-LAP supports and promotes productivity among diverse scholars at MSU. This award is meant to provide support for new research programs or efforts as scholars to build toward external granting success. In this program we recognize the difficulty of working with underrepresented populations and the challenges associated with early career success among scholars of color. We are interested in applications that emphasize programmatic research, innovation, community engagement, etc. Applications having the greatest potential for external funding are particularly supported.

Award: Grants will be awarded in amounts of up to $5000.

Instructions: Application materials must be blinded. Previous awardees should wait at least 1 academic year before submitting new proposals. Only 1 proposal per scholar should be submitted.

Proposals are limited to four pages (eleven-point font, one-inch margins)
References
Professional bio and detailed budget should be included as appendices, must clearly articulate rationale and methods; offer a concise statement of expected outcomes; and justify the use of this funding source.
A letter of support from the unit chair or director must accompany each application. Applications must be submitted electronically to the Diversity Research Network.

Follow-up Reporting Required: A brief midterm report (1-2 pages) detailing progress to date and use of funds is required. The final report detailing results or outcomes of the project, final accounting and plans for follow-up grant submission is required within 10 months of the award date.

Budgets for the Launch Awards Program may include student hourly wages, supplies, and travel. Please note that funding cannot be used for faculty buyout or summer salary support.

LAP applications

Applications for 2024 are now closed. The review period is in September, and awardee notifications will be announced in October. Applications for 2025 will open July 1, 2025.

Questions: Please submit any questions to drn@msu.edu or call 517-353-2919

Past Recipients

2024 LAP Recipients

Celeste Campos-Castille
College of Communication Arts and Sciences, Media and Information
Project: Co-designing Accessible Mental Health Screeners with Racially Diverse Autistic Adolescents

Tama Hamilton-Wray
Residential College in the Arts and Humanities
Project: Resurrecting Cultural Heritage Sites in the Historic African American Resort Town of Idlewild, Michigan

Salah Hassan
College of Arts and Letters, English/Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities,
Project: Aesthetics of Solidarity by Arab American and Arab/Swana Diaspora Artists in the US, 1948-Present: "Programming + Publication Proposal

Chamara Jewel Kwakye
College of Arts and Letters, African American and African Studies
Project: Chronicling Cimarron: The Making of Diaspora Across Space and Time

Jungmin Kwon
College of Education, Teacher Education
Project: Heritage Language Learning and Maintenance Among Children, Families, and Communities of the Asian Diaspora in Michigan

2023 LAP Recipients

Safoi Babana-Hampton
College of Arts and Letters, Romance and Classical Studies
Project: Spectral Visions of the Atlantic: A French Caribbean Odyssey of the Black Voyage

Nerli Paredes Ruvalcaba
College of Arts and Letters, Philosophy
Project: Gunna Rucaalu: Community-based comprehensive sexuality education with Zapotec youth in Mexico

Dr. LeConte J. Dill
College of Communication Arts and Letters, African American and African Studies
Project: dWELLING: Black feminist contemplative practices towards wellness

Hanzhe Zhang
College of Social Science, Economics
Project: Gender and Racial Diversity of Economists

Discretionary Interdisciplinary Awardee

Dr. Julian Chambliss
College of Arts and Letters, English
Project: Afrofuturism and Comics