The Provost and the Dean of International Studies and Programs (ISP) have made available funds to develop strategic partnerships with universities and institutions of higher education and research abroad that focus on ISP's priority themes: food and agriculture, environment, health and nutrition, and education. These partnerships should involve faculty from more than one department and/or college at MSU. Collaborations that link Arts and Letters or Social Science faculty to the international themes are encouraged.

Seed funding is available to support the development of strategic partnerships with researchers from institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean. Proposals should involve faculty from multiple MSU departments or colleges interested in pursuing collaborative research with colleagues from institutions in Latin America or the Caribbean. Strategic partnerships should result in the submission of research proposals to external agencies; they may also include preliminary research activities to lay the groundwork for proposal development. Funding may be granted for continued support to develop these partnerships, depending on the outcomes of the initial grant.

Strategic Partnership Funds will support travel costs for MSU faculty to travel abroad to work with international partners or for partners from institutions abroad to travel to MSU. The Departments and/or Colleges in which faculty applications are appointed are expected to contribute a 20% match to demonstrate their commitment to the partnership.

Target dates for submission of proposals are October 15 and March 1. However, we will continue to accept proposals and make awards for any remaining funds on a rolling basis until all funds have been expended.

If you are developing a project that fits the priorities of these funds, we encourage you to contact us as you begin to make plans. Please submit proposals or inquiries to Laurie Medina, CLACS Director, at medina(at)msu.edu.

How to apply for Strategic Partnership Funds