The Research, Engagement and Academic Diversity (READ) grant provides funding to both faculty/staff and students interested in conducting research on topics related to social justice and diversity, and social innovation or social entrepreneurship projects with a particular focus on social and cultural issues. This grant is offered in partnership with the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning, the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships and the Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

READ Grant Objectives

• Foster and support research, scholarship and artistry projects on social justice and diversity.
• Foster and support projects related to social entrepreneurship or social innovation with a particular focus on social and cultural issues.
• Increase the diversity of students engaged in research, artistry and experiential learning.

If you have additional questions regarding the READ grant, contact ugresearch@niu.edu.

Program Guidelines

• Funds are available for both faculty and student applicants.
• Student applicants must have an identified faculty or qualified staff mentor.
  • Student-Faculty contract (DOCM) required as a part of the student application.
• Faculty applicants must have a plan identified for selecting undergraduate students to assist with the identified project.
  • All students must be selected and identified prior to fund disbursement
• All project outcomes must be presented by the student at the Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day program at NIU in April.
• Final Project and Expense Report due upon completion of project.
• Students from *underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
• Faculty are encouraged to recruit students from *underrepresented populations.

*for the purpose of the READ grant, underrepresented is defined as African American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander and Alaskan Native/American Indian.