Awards, Grants, and Incentives

Overview

The Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement encourages students, faculty, and staff to create new opportunities to promote opportunities and enhance involvement.

• The Access and Engagement Programming Fund is a program developed to support new, innovative, and creative approaches to raising awareness, mitigating barriers, and engaging the university community.

Lectures, symposia, workshops, conferences, performances, and other innovative approaches to increasing access and involvement at the University of Mississippi are examples of programs that could be supported.

Eligibility

University of Mississippi students, faculty, staff, and registered student organizations (RSOs) may apply. Students must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program of the university at the time of the request for funding and for the period of the funded activity.

Selection Criteria

The Access and Engagement Program Fund committee will review the applications and make the award selections. The committee will look for those opportunities related to the five dimensions of the Inclusive Excellence (IE) Framework (e.g., access and success, institutional climate and intergroup relations, education and scholarship, institutional infrastructure, and community engagement) that are innovative, address a documented campus need, well-planned, have a good chance for impact, and will engage a significant number of individuals in our community.

Funding

The review committee will consider all requests and allot up to $2,000 per event. Decisions will be based on available funds at the time of submission. The Access and Engagement Programming Fund can fund fees and expenses for lecturers, speakers, entertainers, space and equipment rental, films, and food.

Funding Restrictions

The Access and Engagement Programming Fund cannot fund traveling or conference expenditures, social events, personal materials, wages, and recruitment. Please visit the Office of Procurement Services for more information (e.g., spending policy, purchasing terms and conditions, etc.).

Final Report

A final report is required and may appear in the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement documentation and reports, including but not limited to, official website, annual report(s), and recognition ceremonies. The report is due no later than 30 days after the funded activity is complete.

The final report should include:

• An evaluation, including a description of the program impact
• Results of the event assessment
• Attendance
• Final budget
• Photos from the program

Submission Details

The application for 2025-2026 funding will open on Friday, August 1, 2025, and will remain open until all available funds have been allocated. 

Application Requirements

It is strongly recommended that you complete the application by downloading the Access and Engagement Programming Fund application template and copying and pasting your information into the submission form.

The Access and Engagement Programming Fund application requires the following:

I. Applicant(s)

1. Name of Applicant
2. Applicant’s phone number
3. Applicant's email address
4. Additional collaborators/registered student organizations/university department (if applicable)

II. Program/Event Details

1. Explain how the program will enhance the university’s long-term commitment to access, opportunity, and community engagement
2. The specific need that is being addressed
3. The goals and anticipated outcome(s) of the program
4. Timeline (including planning and execution)
5. Description of the target audience, including the estimated number of participants
6. The expected impact that the program will have on the university community
7. A specific plan to assess the impact of the program on the university community

III. Please indicate and briefly explain which dimension(s) of the Inclusive Excellence Framework your program focuses on.

1. Access and Success – the objectives and strategies used to help maintain or enhance engagement of the university community. It includes initiatives aimed at retaining and recruiting students, faculty, and staff.
2. Institutional Climate and Intergroup Relations– the objectives and strategies that enable the institution to foster a welcoming and respectful environment that values a variety perspectives and experiences.
3. Education and Scholarship – targeted professional development activities focused at increasing the cross-cultural competencies of faculty, staff, and graduate students with the goal to contribute to a learning and research environment that fosters innovation and creativity.
4. Institutional Infrastructure – refers to the policies, resources, organizational structures, and indicators used to inform intentional decision making around access and engagement.
5. Community Engagement – the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement is committed to partnering with our communities, which reflects and complements the mission and vision of the University of Mississippi. This dimension refers to activities related to transforming people, institutions, and communities through mutually beneficial partnerships, reciprocity, and accessible opportunities.

IV. Budget

1. Itemized list of all anticipated expenses
2. Funds anticipated from other sources
3. Total amount requested from the Access and Engagement Programming Fund

V. Funding Agreement

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the Access and Engagement Programming Fund or the application process, please contact Roger Davis Jr. at rdavis7@olemiss.edu or (662) 915-2933.

Grant Description

The purpose of the Faculty Development Grant (FDG) funded by the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement (DAOCE) at the University of Mississippi is to support development opportunities for tenure-track faculty to aid in the tenure process. The FDG will be awarded on a competitive basis to tenure-track faculty seeking ways to fund a development opportunity that will support their activities related to service, professional development, presentation of research and scholarly work, and teaching.

Development opportunities may include, but are not limited to:

• Attending an academic conference, workshop, training, or webinar.
• Supporting a presentation of research and scholarly work done on campus to a professional organization.

Grant Criteria  

• To be eligible, an individual must be a University of Mississippi tenure-track faculty.
• If awarded, an individual may only apply for funding once every two years.
• Funds may not be utilized to conduct research. 

Application Process and Requirements  

Please check back soon for more information on the 2025-2026 online application form. The application form will require the following:

• A brief description of the development opportunity. Description should address the goal for the grant with any appropriate details connected to the development opportunity.
• A budget which includes all the expenses related to the opportunity, and how much funding you are seeking through FDG.
• A letter of support from department chair or college dean.

Funding Stipulations   

• Amount of funding and number of grants will depend on the funds available each fiscal year for the grant. The maximum amount of funding per grant is $2,000.
• Because of the temporary nature of the funds and fiscal deadlines, funds must be expended by the date listed in the award offer. Unspent funds will not be held over.
• Please visit the Office of Procurement Services to review the University of Mississippi spending policy.
• Please provide proof of activity completion and final budget (must provide itemized receipts).
• Recipient must complete a post-event report (please check below). Reports will be shared on the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement website.

Application Format

Contact Information

• First Name (Preferred)
• Last Name
• UM Email
• UM Phone Number
• UM Department and Title
• Department Chair Email

Program Information

• Type of Development Opportunity
• Amount Requested
• Area of Inclusive Excellence (Academic Engagement, Climate, Access and Equity)
• Application Packet (PDF) – Please compile a brief description of the development opportunity, requested amount/budget, and letter of support from Department Chair*
  • Please note: You will be redirected to another page in order to submit PDF at the end of survey.

Review Process

• Funds will be awarded on a competitive basis.
• Each proposal that meets the grant criteria will be evaluated by a review committee.
• Evaluations will be based on (1) the completeness of the application, (2) the potential contribution to the development and tenure process of the applicant, (3) the potential contribution to the department and/or university, and (4) the potential application of the Inclusive Excellence Model.
• Committee members will evaluate applications using the UM FDG Review Committee Rubric according to the timeline outlined below.

Timeline

Check back soon for details on the 2025-2026 application cycle.

Completion Reporting

Recipients of the Faculty Development Grant must submit a post-event report no later than 30 days after the completion of their development opportunity. The form provides a place to submit the following information:

• Description of the opportunity and its impact/outcomes
• Description of how the activity advanced your development and how you can apply it to your academic department at the University of Mississippi

Fill out the submission form

Point of Contact

If you have any questions about your application, please contact us via email at daoce@olemiss.edu.

• Sarah David-Cusani
  Outreach and Strategic Initiatives Project Coordinator
  Division of Diversity and Community Engagement
• Jazmine Smith
  Graduate Assistant, Outreach and Strategic Initiatives
  Division of Diversity and Community Engagement

Overview

The James H. Meredith Community Transformation Award is a unique opportunity aimed at equipping students with leadership skills necessary for driving meaningful impact and fostering a lifelong commitment to community service. The award provides students with an experiential learning opportunity that contributes to the development of their capacity for community-based leadership. The JHM Community Transformation Award is intended to foster innovative and impactful approaches to carrying on Mr. Meredith's legacy of courage, knowledge, opportunity, and perseverance.

The Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement encourages students at the University of Mississippi to create new opportunities to explore, broaden, and highlight areas of partnership, access, and engagement. Students who receive this award will gain insight into assessing possible solutions to problems that impact communities, as well as explore approaches to ethical engagement and strategies for promoting positive change.

While recipients are responsible for the overall design and implementation of their projects, they will collaborate with community partners, faculty, or other university mentors who are knowledgeable about their topics or geographic location(s). The mentor's responsibilities may include recommending resources, creating plans for project sustainability, and identifying and providing data on community needs, demographics, and best practices. The mentor's responsibilities may also include connecting students with appropriate resources and discussing research to inform project development.

For community engagement projects that are responsive to community awareness and may have an academic connection, this opportunity provides a maximum of one grant up to $4,000 and an additional $1,000 academic scholarship.

Benefits

• Access to unique resources that prepare students for community engagement and leadership.
• A one-time grant of up to $4,000 to support their participation in the community (e.g., the Mississippi Delta, underserved communities, and sustainability).
• A $1,000 academic scholarship that will be distributed over two academic semesters.
• Connection to professional development workshops and/or events that explore community engagement through a variety of lenses.
• Opportunities to build a network by interacting with UM and community leadership who have turned their passion for campus and community engagement into a meaningful career.
• Recognition of achievement upon completion of the project.

Eligibility

The James H. Meredith Community Transformation Award is open to all full-time students from any class year, but students must have at least two academic semesters of coursework left so that they have time to complete the requirements of the award. Applicants must be in good academic standing with the University of Mississippi.

Funding Restrictions The James H. Meredith Community Transformation Award cannot fund tuition or fees associated with a program of study or registration or other fees associated with participation in experiences (e.g., conferences, symposiums, workshops, study abroad, etc.). Please visit the Office of Procurement Services for more information (e.g., spending policy, purchasing terms and conditions, etc.).

Award Guidelines

The award runs from October 2025 to April 2026. Students are expected to attend at least one seminar or workshop hosted by the UM Center for Community Engagement on relevant topics or as agreed upon with designated mentor, complete the IRB review process if necessary, and submit a mid-award progress report.

A final report is also required and may appear in DAOCE documentation and reports, including but not limited to, official website, annual report(s), and recognition ceremonies. Students may only receive this award once.

Submission Details

The application for the 2025-2026 award will open on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. The application will close at noon on Friday, September 5, 2025.

Application Requirements

It is strongly recommended that you complete the application by downloading the James H. Meredith Community Transformation Award application template and copying and pasting your information into the submission form.

The James H. Meredith Community Transformation Award application requires the following:

1. Demographic information: Includes your name, student ID number, email, phone number, academic major, classification, hometown, expected month and year of graduation, and a proposed project title.
2. Project Proposal: Please give a brief explanation of your goals, the community you aim to work closely with, and your reason(s) for choosing this focus. Your essay should reflect
   your prior experiences and/or academic background, your dedication to community involvement, and your understanding of how to drive impactful progress and appreciation for such efforts. Your proposal should be no longer than 1,000 words. Please include a budget in your proposal; the word count doesn't include the budget.
   1. Budget: This is a reasonable projection of all project-related expenses; expenses
      must not exceed $4,000.
3. Current Resume: Please submit a one to two-page resume.
4. Letter of Recommendation: This letter should be from a person who can speak to your
   passion and capacity for community engagement. Examples may include volunteer
   supervisors, instructors, advisors, or employment supervisors. The recommendation
   should not come from a family member or friend and must be submitted on the online
   application
5. Mentor Information *optional

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the James H. Meredith Community Transformation Award or the application process, please contact Roger Davis Jr. at rdavis7@olemiss.edu or (662) 915-2933.

The University of Mississippi’s Office for Research and Economic Development (ORED), in collaboration with the Division of Access, Opportunity, and Community Engagement (DAOCE), invites proposals for seed grants supporting research, innovation, and creative scholarship across all disciplines. This program aims to enhance access and opportunity, with a focus on making a positive impact on Mississippi communities. Competitive proposals will help secure additional external funding for projects that advance education, research, and service, while fostering inclusive pathways for all community members. ORED and DAOCE are dedicated to helping researchers expand their work and maximize its impact on Mississippi.

Point of Contact

Direct questions on proposal preparation, competition/review process, resources to support proposal development, or progress reporting to resdev@olemiss.edu. As questions are answered, they will be added to an FAQ available at https://orspresdev.olemiss.edu/.

Lauren Jones, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Access and Opportunity

Jason Hale, Director of Research Development

About the Ole Miss 8 Scholarship

The Ole Miss 8 Scholarship was established to honor the legacy of eight University of Mississippi students whose actions in 1970 advanced important conversations about access, opportunity, and support for Black students on campus. These students, known as the "Ole Miss 8," were among those who participated in a peaceful demonstration to present requests for institutional improvements. As a result of their efforts, these students faced significant consequences, including arrest and expulsion, and their actions contributed to ongoing changes at the university that have helped expand educational pathways for Mississippi students.

In alignment with the university’s commitment to fostering access, supporting student success, and nurturing civic engagement, the Ole Miss 8 Scholarship provides financial support to current Mississippi students who demonstrate academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to positively contributing to their communities.

This scholarship reflects the university’s recognition of the impact that student voices and leadership can have in shaping educational environments where all students can thrive.

Purpose and Focus

The Ole Miss 8 Scholarship supports students who embody a commitment to academic achievement, seek to engage with their communities in meaningful ways, and aspire to contribute to a welcoming and supportive campus environment.

This scholarship is open to all eligible Mississippi students and encourages applicants to reflect on how their personal experiences, leadership, and service contribute to their educational journey and future goals.

 Click Here to Access the 2025-2026 Ole Miss 8 Upper-Level Application