AASP Small Grants Initiative
The Asian American Studies Program supports undergraduate and graduate students whose work engages with research questions and themes that are central to the discipline. Students play an important role in the ongoing development of Asian American Studies - in classes, in reading groups, lectures, special events, through their own original research, honors theses, and in the classroom.
To support dynamic student work, we invite applications to the AASP Small Grants Initiative. This opportunity is open to all undergraduate majors and minors in AASP, as well as graduate students whose work is in direct conversation with the field of Asian American Studies. We encourage students to think creatively about approaches to learning and contributing to critical Asian American dialogues. The AASP Small Grants Initiative can be used for a variety of projects or ideas, including but not limited to the following:
- Support to attend a conference where the student will present original work or participate in other ways (examples include but are not limited to the Association for Asian American Studies annual conference and the American Studies Association).
- Support to conduct original research, particularly if it leads to an honors thesis in AASP. Research can be qualitative, quantitative, based in the humanities, social sciences, or multi/interdisciplinary.
- Co-sponsorship of an event, lecture, or reading group.
DEadline
The AASP Small Grants Initiative committee reviews applications throughout the academic year. There is one deadline per quarter, falling on the fourth Thursday of each quarter.
The program awards up to 2 grants per quarter, maximum $500 per grant.
- 2026 Winter quarter deadline: Thursday, Jan 29
- 2026 Spring quarter deadline: Thursday, April 23
How to Apply
This opportunity is open to all undergraduate AASP majors and minors, as well as graduate students whose work is in direct conversation with the field of Asian American Studies. Students can submit an application on their own, without faculty nomination. AASP faculty may also nominate students to apply.
Applicants should submit the following via email to asianamerican@northwestern.edu with “Small Grant Application” in the subject line:
- A one-page resume with name, year, major & minor (grad students indicate home department), and contact information
- A list of AASP and related courses taken. Undergraduates: List AASP and related classes taken with grades received. Graduate students: List AASP and AASP–related courses taken; no grades needed.
- A short statement (one-page maximum) about the project or initiative for which the student is seeking support. The statement should include 1. details of the project, 2. the way in which this work engages with or is relevant to the field of Asian American Studies, 3. goals and expected outcome(s)
- Short budget statement (one-page maximum, $500 maximum budget) that explains 1. the amount requested and budget justification, 2. whether there is existing or pending support, 3. if you plan on submitting a proposal elsewhere for this project.
- Applicants must state whether they have applied for and/or received an AASP Small Grant previously. If yes, include the quarter/year and the project title.
Your application will be evaluated in the following categories:
- Engagement with Asian American Studies. Project is clearly and substantively in conversation with Asian American Studies (theories, histories, methods, communities, or debates), not just adjacent or nominal.
- Project Quality & Clarity. Project goals, methods, and expected outcomes are well-defined and appropriate to the scope; proposal demonstrates seriousness of thought and feasibility.
- Significance & Impact. Likely intellectual, pedagogical, or community impact (e.g., research contribution, honors thesis development, conference visibility, collective benefit through events).
- Equity & Access Considerations. Funding meaningfully expands access, opportunity, or participation (e.g., first-time research support, unfunded conference travel, collective or underrepresented engagement).
POST-GRANT REPORT - Due June 1
Students who receive support via the AASP Small Grants Initiative are expected to write a short report (one-page maximum) by June 1 of the academic year in which they receive the grant. (Please note: if the project is visual/media/video, you may choose to submit that as well.) These reports help support our funding commitments. Not submitting the post-grant report could potentially disqualify applicants from receiving future AASP program funding.
Reports are to be sent to asianamerican@northwestern.edu with the subject line: POST-GRANT REPORT
Questions should be addressed to: AASP Director, Tara Fickle (tfickle@northwestern.edu)