Funding

The ICEO funds efforts at a range of levels to build and sustain community at MIT. Guided by the Institute’s values and the strategic priorities of belonging, achievement, and composition, we provide funding for community members’ new ideas and explorations.

ICEO Grants

Twice a year, the ICEO offers funding for events and programs that support the community in their explorations and new ideas for promoting a sense of belonging, enabling achievement, and embracing the diverse composition of our community.

• Awards of up to $2,500 are available to any MIT community member.
• Application opens February 18 at 9 am , and closes March 3 at 9 am.

Application details:

• All applicants must attend a virtual info session. Please register here for one of the three available information sessions.
  • If you cannot attend any of the offered times, please contact iceoadhocgrant@mit.edu to schedule an individual information session. The ICEO cannot accommodate individual information sessions after February 26.
• Projects and events must abide by all MIT event guidelines and MIT VPF policies regarding the use of funds.
• Grants may be used to supplement other funding for a large-scale event or project.
• We kindly ask that individuals or student organizations submit only one application per academic year. Additionally, if you’re applying to the ICEO Grants, please note that the same initiative cannot be funded through the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund or ICEO Ad-Hoc Grant.
• Funds requested for the following do not fit the ICEO Grant themes will not be approved:
  • Activities that are not aligned with achievement, belonging, and composition
  • Individual travel or immersive group trips
  • Events and projects cannot be retroactively covered 
  • Capital goods (in this context, capital goods are capital goods are tangible assets or equipment whose service life extends beyond the completion of the grant. If you require clarity about whether your budget contains capital goods, please contact iceoadhocgrant@mit.edu).
  • Exclusively for food and/or meals.
  • Personal gifts or gift cards. 
  • Paying yourself back for an event or project.
  • Supplemental items for already existing or scheduled events.
  • Honorariums 
  • Academic related activities (thesis, research projects, professional development, and courses).
  • Activities that are primarily social in nature without strong alignment with achievement, belonging, or composition
  • The ICEO reserves the right to decline funding for the reasons outlined above, as well as for any additional reasons deemed appropriate but not explicitly listed
• If your grant is approved, it will need to be completed by the date listed on your application or by the last day of class (spring semester). 
• Approved applications will need to complete a post-event report that the ICEO Grant committee will provide.
• Proposed activities must take place on MIT’s campus or MIT-affiliated locations.
• If additional details are requested of the applicant by ICEO, any clarifications must be received within a week of the ICEO’s query in order to be considered. Requests or clarifications received past this one week period will be denied and the applicant will need to restart the application process. 

Examples of approved activities and uses of funds

• Invited guest speakers who support inclusion and belonging
• Cultural celebrations
• Panel discussions or community conversations that are in keeping with our values and raise awareness about inclusion and belonging
• Speaker fees, AV services, food, and other program-related costs

Application Process

• Cycle 1: Application opened October 15 at 12:00 am, and closes November 1 at 11:59 pm.
• Cycle 2: Application opens February 18 at 9:00 am, and closes March 3 at 9:00 am.
• The review committee will evaluate applications and notify applicants in mid-November and mid-March.
• The ICEO Grant application is currently closed.

If you have questions please reach out to the team at iceoadhocgrant@mit.edu.

Other funds and grants

Ad-hoc funding through ICEO

Awards of up to $500 may be available upon request for your project or event. To apply for Ad-Hoc funds please complete ICEO Ad-Hoc Grant application.
ICEO Ad-Hoc Grants will follow the same guidelines and application details as the ICEO Grant.