An in-person conference designed to help graduate students, faculty, and staff navigate today’s funding landscape, strengthen grant-writing skills, and connect with resources that support inclusive, people-centered scholarship and research that reduces inequities, disparities, and inequalities.

Co-sponsored by the Ross Office of Community, Culture, and Belonging. This event is offered at no charge.

Schedule at a Glance

Day 1 — Monday, September 21, 2026

Location: The Graduate Ann Arbor
Time: 4:00–9:00 PM
Focus: Registration, welcome reception, and informal connection

Day 1 is optional and designed for participants who are traveling to Ann Arbor, staying overnight, or would like a relaxed opportunity to connect before the main conference. The evening will include informal check-in/registration, light networking, conversation opportunities, and a welcome reception. No core instructional content will take place on Day 1.

Day 2 — Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Location: Michigan Union
Time: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Focus: Main conference, keynote, workshops, Resource Fair, Consultation Zones, featured panel, and action planning.

Day 2 is the main conference day. The program will include breakfast and registration, welcome remarks, a keynote address, three workshop sessions organized by participant experience level, a Resource Fair, scheduled Consultation Zones, a featured panel, and a closing networking reception.

During workshop blocks, participants may choose among track-based workshops, scheduled one-on-one consultations, or Resource Fair engagement. The Resource Fair and Consultation Zones will pause during the featured panel so all participants can gather for a shared conversation on foundations, strategy, and sustainable impact.

What to Expect

Participants can expect a practical, interactive conference experience designed to help scholars move from funding ideas to actionable proposal strategies. The main conference day will include:

A keynote on funding success in a shifting landscape
Three hands-on grant-writing workshop sessions organized by experience level:
- Getting Started
- Building Momentum
- Advanced Grant Strategy
Sessions focused on identifying funding opportunities, assessing funder fit, building competitive proposals, revising for clarity and impact, and planning for larger or more complex funding opportunities
A Resource Fair featuring U-M offices, tools, and services that support proposal development
Scheduled Consultation Zones where participants can receive targeted feedback on grant ideas, proposal drafts, budgets, funder fit, community partnerships, and resubmission strategies
A featured post-lunch panel focused on foundations, private funding, strategy, and sustainable impact
A closing reflection to help participants identify concrete next steps
Networking opportunities with peers, presenters, campus partners, grant professionals, and potential collaborators

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at The Graduate Ann Arbor at a reduced conference rate for participants traveling to Ann Arbor. Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis while the block remains available.

Accessibility

The Bowman Center is committed to making Amplifying Access accessible to all. Check back soon for additional accessibility details.

Entrances & Navigation of the Michigan Union (Day 2)

North Entrance: Fully wheelchair accessible with an updated curved vestibule opening to the Ground Floor.
State Street East Entrance: Historic stairs with ramp/alternative access points nearby.
Elevators: Located in the center of the building, serving all primary student service and ballroom levels.

Restrooms & Facilities at the Michigan Union (Day 2)

Standard ADA Restrooms: Multi-stall men's and women's ADA-compliant restrooms are located on major floors (e.g., adjacent to elevators on Floor 2).
Gender-Inclusive Restrooms: Single-occupant/all-gender options are situated close to primary core elevators and main corridors on upper floors.

Personal & Low-Sensory Rooms at the Michigan Union (Day 2)

Lactation / Personal Care Space:
- Room: Room 2042
- Placement: Positioned behind the Pendleton Room on 2nd Floor.
- Amenities: It is a single-user room that locks from the inside, equipped with a chair, sink, electrical outlets, and a diaper changing table.

ASL & CART

ASL will be provided during the main sessions on Day 2, and as-requested in the breakout sessions.

CART will be provided during the main sessions on Day 2, and during all breakout sessions.