GIVING

The Vision


Among the greatest assets of the University of Michigan are an informed openness to an increasingly interconnected world, an outstanding faculty with broad international expertise and experience, and an extensive network of global partnerships. U-M's International Institute (II), established in 1993, builds on these assets to support and organize educational and research programs that help to make Michigan a national leader in the field of international and area studies. To extend the impact of these scholarly activities, the International Institute and its constituent units also organize public programs that place discussion of global issues at the forefront of the University's mission.

To advance its mission, the International Institute promotes education in the world's societies and cultures, including study abroad; helps to recruit international faculty and to arrange visits by prominent scholars, artists, public officials, and others from across the globe; and supports collaborative research projects with scholars and institutions throughout the world.

The Value


The activities and programs of the International Institute serve broad constituencies across the campus and beyond by bringing together faculty and students from the arts, social sciences, humanities, natural sciences, and professional programs to ensure that our students graduate with a global perspective and a greater understanding of the world. The II also contributes to training specialists in a variety of fields by providing support to Michigan's graduate programs, many of which are among the most highly regarded in the country, and by supporting innovative and advanced faculty research on international issues of major importance to the United States and the world.


The Difference

The assistance of private contributors is required to continue and expand upon this important work. The following are some of the areas in which we are developing initiatives for which financial support will enable us to maintain and enhance Michigan's deserved reputation as a leader in international education.


Named Center Directorships

$2 million endowed/$100,000 annually

With a named endowment, the II can provide salary to permit a leading scholar to direct one U.S. Department of Education-designated National Resource Center and to provide support for programmatic and instructional projects as initiated by the director. National Resource Centers provide national and international leadership for the teaching of foreign languages, in instruction and research on issues in world affairs, and in public affairs programming with international studies content. Endowing a named director for such a center would cost $2 million.

 

Student Fellowships

$1.5 million endowed/$75,000 annually

The cost of studying abroad is prohibitively expensive for many Michigan students. To increase student participation in such programs and to better prepare students for the challenges of international leadership, the International Institute would like to provide up to 100 fellowships per year to deserving students in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. The yearly cost of such fellowships would total $75,000.

 

Interdisciplinary Courses

$500,000 endowed/$25,000 per course

The International Institute wishes to develop up to five new interdisciplinary courses per year. Michigan is renowned for its interdisciplinary efforts, and these courses would enable the II to further address international concerns in coursework while providing the analytical and linguistic skills needed for global competence. Funds will be used for faculty work in course development, to appoint graduate student research assistants, to invite prominent scholars as guest lecturers, to incorporate a study abroad component, and/or to develop interactive teaching materials.

 

Institute Strategic Fund

$2.0 million endowed/$100,000 annually

Each year, the II encounters unanticipated opportunities for collaboration in teaching, research, public affairs programming, and other areas. Funding to take advantage of these opportunities is of the utmost importance. Additionally, the director needs expendable funds to offer resources that are not provided through the University but are critical to the development of the Institute. Gifts to the Strategic Fund of all levels are welcome and will provide unique opportunities for each II director to try new initiatives, experiment with new audiences, and infuse the Institute with new programming ideas.

All donors will be eligible for Presidential Society Recognition opportunities, including the President's Club ($15,000), the Tappan Society ($50,000) and the Hutchins Society ($100,000).

 

International Institute Centers and Programs

The II is home to a number of renowned centers and programs, including many U.S. Department of Education funded National Resource Centers. Helping these units, each of which is devoted to the study of a critical and unique world region, realize their goals is of the utmost importance to the Institute and the University. Each of these centers and programs seeks to expand the scope and impact of its activities.  For more information about giving opportunities in these units, visit their websites:

For more information on the various ways you can support the University of Michigan International Institute, contact:

Marysia Ostafin
Administrative Associate, Manager of Development Events
mostafin@umich.edu
734.647.2238