GISC Summer Fellowships
The Global Islamic Studies Center (GISC) seeks applications from undergraduate students for grants up to $500 toward summer projects in the U.S. or abroad in the field of Islamic studies. This award cannot be used for language study. Please note that currently with the U-M travel restrictions, we can only fund projects that are done digitally or virtually. Please contact islamicstudies@umich.edu for any specific questions.
Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in full-time undergraduate programs at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Students who have declared a minor in Islamic studies will be given preference.
Application Requirements: Applicants must submit the following application materials:
- Summer Funding Application Form
- Statement of purpose (1-3 pages) including proposed time period, institutional affiliation, your reasons for pursuing the project, and how this experience will contribute to your career goals
- One letter of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae or résumé
- Official University of Michigan transcript
A written report based on the project will be required at its conclusion.
Contact: isp.fellowships@umich.edu
2018 GISC Summer Fellowship Recipients
Jamie Thompson, BA Gender & Health/ Psychology, for the CGIS study abroad program in Israel and Palestine.
2017 GISC Summer Fellowship Recipients
Azhar Aboubaker, BA International Studies/Sociology, for an internship with the Felicity Foundation in Ann Arbor.
Edda Hanafi, BS Economics/Women’s Studies, for an internship at the Central Bank of Malaysia.
Komel Khan, LSA Undeclared, for an internship with the Felicity Foundation in Ann Arbor.
Zaryff Razali, BA Economics/History, to conduct research on the "Memali Incident" in Malaysia.
2016 GISC Summer Fellowship Recipients
Nur Amirah Amer Hamzah, BA Economics/Political Science, for an internship with the Central Bank of Malaysia's London Representative Office.
Noah Attal, BS Earth & Environmental Sciences, for an internship at the Felicity Foundation in Ann Arbor.
Alaa Hajeissa, BS Neuroscience, for an internship at the Felicity Foundation in Ann Arbor.
Edda Hanafi, BS Economics, for an internship at the Women's Aid Organization in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Timothy Peterson, BA Comparative Literature/BMus Composition, to study sacred classical Arabic music in Tangier, Morocco.
Muhammad Amier Zaryff Razali, BA Economics/History, for an internship at the Khazanah Research Institute in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
2015 GISC Summer Fellowship Recipients
Mohamad Bazzi, BA LSA, for research on the Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi (MTO) centers in California and Texas.
Muhammad Amier Zaryff Razali, BA Economics/History, for an internship with the Central Bank of Malaysia.
Luqman Harith Saifuddin, BS Economics/Actuarial Mathematics, for participation in the Durham Islamic Finance Summer School in England.
Event Co-Sponsorship Awards
The Global Islamic Studies Center (GISC) welcomes proposals from undergraduate students for event co-sponsorships. Funds may be used to support any event that promotes the understanding of global Islamic culture and Muslim societies worldwide, with preference for events that include an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, or multi-confessional dimension. Awards of up to $1,000 are granted, depending on the number and character of successful proposals.
Proposals should include:
- GISC Funding Application Form
- An explanatory statement no longer than 1,000 words
- A budget detailing anticipated costs and all sources of support (pending and confirmed)
We expect applicants will also explore other sources of support, where appropriate. Successful applicants will be asked to submit a project description for the GISC website and annual report; a final report is expected as a condition of future support.
Successful proposals have demonstrated campus-wide impact, shown educational value, contributed to the broader mission of GISC, and leveraged other sources of support. Funds may be requested for pilot projects or to supplement existing projects. GISC reviews funding requests on a rolling basis. Please submit all materials to IslamicStudies@umich.edu.
2018-19 Undergraduate Event Co-Sponsorship Awards
Muslim Law Students
Nov 11, 2018 - Muslim Law Students Explore Dearborn
Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies Seminar
Nov 15-16, 2018 - Shauna Huffaker Lecture & Workshop
Malaysian Students Association
Feb 1, 2019 - Malaysian Cultural Night
Malaysian Students Association
March 17, 2019 - Malaysia Studies Forum (MSF): Multiracialism: Exchanging Perspectives between the US and Malaysia
Yemeni Students Association
April 7, 2019 - Fundraising Dinner for Yemen
2017-18 Undergraduate Event Co-Sponsorship Awards
Muslim Students Association (MSA)
Oct 7, 2018 - Presenting Islam to Fellow Americans Workshop
2015-16 Undergraduate Event Co-Sponsorship Awards
The Ann Arbor Palestinian Film Festival
Mar 10-13, 2016 - The Ann Arbor Palestinian Film Festival
Indonesian Student Association (PERMIAS)
Feb 20, 2016 - Indonesian Cultural Night
Malaysian Students Association (MiMSA)
Mar 28, 2016 - Malaysian Cultural Night
Muslim Students’ Association
Jan 19-20, 2016 - Sacred Time Project
2014-15 Undergraduate Event Co-Sponsorship Awards
Albanian American Student Organization
Mar 18, 2015 - Besa: The Promise
The Ann Arbor Palestinian Film Festival
Mar 19–22, 2015 - The Ann Arbor Palestinian Film Festival
Indonesian Student Association (PERMIAS)
Mar 21, 2015 - Indonesian Cultural Night
International Policy Students Association (IPSA)
Mar 30, 2015 - Is Genocide Unfolding in Myanmar?
Malaysian Students Association (MiMSA)
Mar 22, 2015 - Malaysian Cultural Night 2015
Apr 4, 2015 - Malaysian Studies Forum
May 22–24, 2015 - Malaysian Midwest Games 2015
Muslim Students' Association
Nov 10, 2014 - Fast-a-Thon
Nov 14, 2014 - Traditional African Islam: At the Crossroad of Muslim and Ethnic Cultures
Jan 23–25, 2015 - Sacred Time Project
Mar 20, 2015 - Defining the Muslim American Feminist
Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE)
Oct 6 & 10, 2014 - Palestinian Awareness Week (PAW)
2013-14 Undergraduate Event Co-Sponsorship Awards
Indonesian Student Association (PERMIAS)
Feb 22, 2014 - Indonesian Cultural Night
Malaysian Students Association (MiMSA)
Mar 15, 2014 - Malaysian Studies Forum Mar 30, 2014 - Malaysian Cultural Night
Muslim Students' Association
Mar 20, 2014 - #Trending: Muslim Women Journalists and the Politics of Representation
Mar 21, 2014 - Ustadh Usama Canon, Director of Ta’leef Collective, "Assimilation, Isolation, and Integration of Muslims in America"
Other Funding Resources
Travel Policy
Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, all travel must follow current guidelines, which are detailed in the International Institute Travel Policy.
