MSP - MSP Grant Program

MSP Grant Program

The MSP grant program was established in 2010 as a way to provide support for our members’ activities that advance the mission of the MSP. A call goes out annually to the MSP membership (in March) to let members know that the application period is open. The grant program is a member-only beneft. All active MSP members are eligible to apply.

Successful grants enhance the union’s work in areas such as membership involvement, political action, improving working conditions, internal organizing, coalition building and addressing diversity issues. Funding can be used to support events and campaigns, as well as research projects.

Applications
In order to apply, a 3-5 page grant application must be submitted via email to the MSP office. All projects are to be completed within a year, and a six-month status report must be received by the MSP. Upon completion of the project, MSP and the grantee will discuss how the results of the project are to be disseminated, and how the work has advanced the union’s mission. Recipients of a grant award must serve on a future MSP Grant Committee.

Complete applications include:

Your name, title and department
A description of the research and/or other activity the grant will support (2-3 pages)
Explanation of how the project specifically advances MSP goals (1 page)
An itemized budget that clearly shows how requested funds are to be used
Plans for publication/dissemination of the results

Current Application Deadlines (2024-2025 Academic Year)

May 1^st, 2024: Applications due to MSP
May 31^st, 2024: Applicants are notified by committee if project is funded
Dec 1^st, 2024: Status reports for funded projects are due to MSP
May 1^st, 2025: Deadline of notice to MSP of funded project’s completion and plans for publication/dissemination

Examples of Previously Funded Grants

2023/2024

Investigating Overwork in Massachusetts Schools
Workplace Social Environment Improvement Initiative
Librarian Council retreat focusing on community building and information sharing

2022/2023

Expansion of the UMass Mutual Aid Project
Uncovering how UMass Faculty experience work post-pandemic

2021/2022

Sociocracy training for everyone at librarians
Asian and Asian American Studies Certificate Program lunches/dinners discussing advocacy and mobilizing
Evaluate perspectives from UMass undergraduate students of color and teens of color affiliated with youth groups and mentoring programs in Mass
Understanding Faculty and Librarian Perspectives on Umass Carbon Mitigation Efforts

2018

Support for campus involvement with labor and film conference
Librarian learning circle with Emergent Strategy book
Workshops and panels on political education for social justice work of educators
Examine faculty salary information on gender wage gap and impact of faculty unions

2017

Research on the effect of faculty unions on the gender wage gap and how the gender wage gap varies at comparable universities

2016

Examining non-traditional African American males at public higher education institutions in MA
MSP database improvements, including security and digital filing

2015

Analysis of MSP Advocacy/Grievance Cases 2000-2015
College affordability forum
Demystifying the UMass budget
Cultivating Communities of Support for Faculty of Color, for consideration
Evaluation of the section 60 pension reform
Workshops for colleges and schools regarding open access

2014

Diversity sensitivity training for library employees
Researching the implication of Vermont's universal healthcare policy for MTA
Workshops for personnel committees about community-engaged scholarship

2013

Study of the causes and consequence of mounting student debt in MA

2012

2 forums around issue of diversity and to coordinate efforts between faculty senate and MSP for faculty-wide initiative
Research on member mobilization in unions of professionals
Research on role of trade unions in financial regulatory policy making

2011

Research of how single payer health insurance system would eliminate the state’s budget gap