Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF)

An investment in mission and vision-aligned initiatives demonstrating a commitment to our future and in service to the University of Michigan community and to the public.

A rendering of campus with a new pedestrian bridge over the Huron River

Researcher in scrubs looks closely at screen

Introduction

The Strategic Initiative Fund (SIF) supports initiatives that advance the University of Michigan's mission, realize the Look to Michigan Vision (LTM Vision), and create lasting transformational change across our three campuses and society. This fund provides one-time financial resources to pursue high-value high-impact initiatives at varying scales. Units across all three campuses are invited to submit proposals that demonstrate institutional value, social impact, holistic problem-solving using interdisciplinary approaches, and innovative solutions. The SIF is designed to accelerate ideas that meet the institution's vision and create broad or deep impact. Proposals may address opportunities in the education, research, scholarship, or creative practice, or service missions of U-M.

The SIF provides targeted support for proposals that:

Advance high-priority institutional transformation realized through the LTM Vision
Expand or deepen research, teaching, and/or service impact in the LTM Vision's Impact Areas and Commitments
Build meaningful and productive interdisciplinary collaborations for holistic problem-solving across units/campuses
Address high-impact opportunities with broad value to the U-M community and/or society

SIF Initiatives are intended to be catalytic—testing ideas or supporting initiatives that have potential for scale or may sustain themselves beyond the initial award, while also making space for innovation and purposeful risk-taking.

View the current projects