Do you have an idea that could help CMU achieve its strategic priorities? Consider applying for a Go Grant to bring that idea to life!
The Go Grants initiative was designed to help CMU students, faculty and staff engage with the university’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan in a meaningful way. These targeted grants, ranging in value from $5,000 to $50,000, will provide funding for proposals that are aligned with CMU’s strategic planning priorities and goals and that have potential to make a positive impact on students and/or the communities we serve.
Why “Go Grants?
The word “go” implies immediate action and motion, and that’s exactly what we hope Go Grants will drive! These one-time funds are intended to inspire action on CMU’s strategic priorities, helping our community achieve its goals in meaningful ways and involving more of our students, faculty and staff in this important university-wide effort.
Go Grant proposal criteria
- Any CMU student, faculty or staff member may apply for a Go Grant. Groups of students, faculty and staff, departments, divisions and other CMU stakeholder groups are also eligible to apply.
- Proposals must be aligned with one or more of the strategic plan priorities:
Please note: Submissions for course releases are not eligible for Go Grants.
Submission deadline
The window for submission for 2024-2025 Go Grants has closed.
A CMU song to boost pride, connection
Yes, Central Michigan University has a fight song. You hear it, and maybe even sing it alongside fellow fans, at CMU sporting events. But what about a song that inspires pride in CMU away from athletic events?
Will Anderson, College of the Arts and Media faculty member, is working to create such a song with the help of a $5,000 Go Grant aligned with strategic priority three of CMU’s strategic plan, to enhance organizational culture. The idea is to have a song that could be used for CMU events, social media, and more.
“I thought I could write a really cool way to help represent CMU and tell about all of the really wonderful things here,” Anderson said. “This song is designed to be one people can sing along with, and it really helps show all the good things about CMU. I think there are so many good things here.”
The work-in-progress tune revolves around the theme of “all roads lead you home to Central.”
Gabe Schall, a Saginaw junior majoring in commercial music, is helping Anderson produce the song. Together, they recorded a demo version in July in a Moore Hall studio. Schall said he enjoys the collaborative experience.
“This isn't really something that I ever expected to get an opportunity to do. I'm a fairly integral part of this,” Schall said. “It's a very ‘learn it by doing it’ thing. I'm grateful for the opportunities to practice this stuff. I've already gotten a lot better at setting up all the recording equipment and working in the studio, producing and mixing.”
Anderson said the project is helping Schall grow his skillset while also demonstrating some of the deep applications within CMU’s commercial music program.
Student involvement in the project is important to Anderson. He hopes to get CMU’s marching band involved, as well as student vocalists, Moore Media Records, Central Beats and CMU’s Guitar Club.
He even plans to work with faculty in the Department of Theatre and Dance to create an interpretive dance to go along with the song.
“Ideally, you have something that becomes a way to signal to the outside world, ‘hey, it's this secret thing that we share’,” he said.
Creation of a CMU song is one of 27 initiatives funded through Go Grants in support of advancing progress on CMU’s strategic plan. In May of 2025, a total of $575,000 was awarded to projects based on their potential to positively impact the university and community.
Go Grants in Action is a year-long series that shares the stories of how CMU students, faculty and staff are making a positive impact on the people and communities we serve through the Go Grants initiative.