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 $3,000 to $25,000 in 2026, 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?
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 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 and research proposals are not eligible for Go Grants.
Submission deadline
The window for submission for 2026 Go Grants is now open! All submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
Since Central Michigan University’s founding in 1892, the university has been a leader in preparing the teachers of tomorrow. Now, thanks to funding from the Go Grants initiative, CMU hopes to build on its history of outreach to PK-12 schools through an innovative feasibility study.
Led by Troy Hicks, interim associate dean of the College of Education and Human Services, the college is exploring the possibility of creating an office to support outreach efforts that would serve as a hub to provide youth programs, professional development and evaluation services to PK-12 partners across the state.
“This office would allow us to deepen our relationships with districts, schools, and individual educators by offering services that meet their current and emerging needs,” Hicks said.
The proposed office would coordinate faculty efforts and outreach and serve three primary roles:
- Professional Development: Coordinating workshops, webinars and on-site training sessions tailored to PK–12 educators.
- Research and Evaluation: Partnering with districts to conduct studies and provide evidence-based recommendations on pressing educational issues.
- Youth Programs: Offering events that are designed for PK-12 youth to introduce them to career possibilities in the fields of education and human services.
Hicks and his team began the planning process this past fall by gathering input from more than 100 PK-12 educators through surveys and focus groups. In January, a group of 15 faculty members volunteered their time and expertise to review data from PK-12 partners and imagine opportunities for additional outreach efforts.
Building on CMU’s existing programs, such as the Literacy Center, the Chippewa River Writing Project, both Fashion and Sneaker Design camps, and DeafBlind Central, this feasibility study will create a roadmap that President MacKinnon, Provost Lancaster, Interim Dean Goodwin and other CMU leaders can use to determine the viability of such an office.
“This is about more than offering ‘training,’” Hicks said. “It’s about building a collaborative network, all across Michigan, that supports educators, many of whom are our alumni. Also, it can help students reach for aspirational goals related to college and career.”
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.