Our process brings together the university’s multi-disciplinary water network to focus on co-producing new knowledge about water with partners from BIPOC communities in Michigan.

Water@Michigan provides a platform so that the fundamental knowledge and expertise of communities can help drive university research. Community-faculty collaborations can encounter logistical and bureaucratic challenges which we work to help resolve. We are committed to supporting the emerging initiatives by:

• Working alongside faculty partners throughout the process;
• Scheduling consultation sessions at key points throughout the process, including initial design;
• Providing resources for community engaged scholarship and service learning; 
• Supporting the development of crucial products that benefit both faculty and community partners; and
• Consulting with pre-tenure faculty on the development of tenure and promotion materials taht reflect community engaged accomplishments and impact.

By joining the Water@Michigan Collaborative, U-M faculty, researchers, and students gain access to the following resources:

New community connections

The Water@Michigan Collaborative hosts Quarterly Workshops with community partners each year that focus on their water priorities.

Building on current connections

Several of our Steering Committee members are active in the type of community-engaged work that aligns with the mission of the W@M Collaborative. To learn more about their work, check out our Who We Are page or skim the example projects in our Opportunity Guide. Visit the Our Process page to see how the Water@Michigan Collaborative is connected to other initiatives and partnerships on campus.

Potential funding opportunities

• The Water@Michigan Collaborative has a small amount of seed funding available to support community partners and students. Sign up for our mailing list on the left to stay up-to-date on our next Listening Session, or reach out directly to Jen Read (jenread@umich.edu)
• The Detroit River Story Lab is offering course development grants for up to $2,500. Check out the call here.
• The Ginsberg Center's community-driven partnership or collaborative engagement grants up to $2,500. Check out the call here.
• LSA Community-Engaged Course Development Grants offer up to $1,500 to support new and ongoing community-engaged courses. Check out the call here.
• Check back for information on internal funding opportunities soon!

Last updated: November 2022.