Faculty Mini-Grants

The Mind’s Eye invites applications for faculty mini-grants (up to $500 per applicant) to support scholarly programming. Funds may be used for initiatives to engage the MCLA community — including faculty, staff, and students — and public audiences. Programming ideas include but are not limited to book launches, exhibition openings, lectures, and roundtable discussions. Events may be held virtually and/or on campus.

Awardees (up to four) will be responsible for organizing their program including tasks such as inviting guest speakers, arranging event logistics, requesting creative briefs from the Office of Marketing and Communications, and submitting other administrative forms. The Mind’s Eye will assist with promoting the event via social media and email announcements. 

Faculty Mini-Grants will be on hiatus for 2023-24 as we focus on other initiatives in support of faculty research.  

To apply

Submit a brief one-page proposal describing the program along with the desired amount of funds and how they will be used. Additionally, applicants should clearly explain how the program: 1) relates to their research and/or creative work, 2) contributes to their professional development, 3) benefits its target audience, including but not limited to the MCLA community 

Up to four mini-grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until filled or by March 15, 2023. Early submission is encouraged. Please email your proposal to victoria.papa@mcla.eduminds.eye@mcla.edu. Questions should be directed to Victoria Papa, Assistant Professor of English and Director of The Mind’s Eye. Update: As of 1/16/2023, two mini-grants are still available.  

Past Awardees

Hannah Noel Haynes, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies, Program: Book Launch for Deflective Whiteness: Co-Opting Black and Latinx Identity Politics (December 2022)

Melanie Mowinski, Professor of Fine and Performing Arts, Program: Book Launch for Collage Your Life: Techniques, Prompts, and Inspiration for Creative Self-Expression and Visual Storytelling (May 2022)

Caren Beilin, Assistant Professor of English, Program: Revenge of the Scapegoat Book Launch and Creative Writing Faculty Reading (April 2022)

Anne Goodwin, Professor of Biology, Program: Distributing a Food Pantry-Focused Cookbook (April 2022)