Reports and Renewals
On behalf of the Rackham Graduate School thank you for your interest in the Rackham Interdisciplinary Workshop (RIW) program. Rackham sponsors an ongoing program of interdisciplinary workshops, which is overseen by Associate Dean Arthur Verhoogt. This program has two goals: First, it is designed to encourage exchange and collaboration among graduate students, faculty, postdocs, and staff who share intellectual interests but do not necessarily have an easily available forum in common because they have different academic affiliations. Second, it is designed to help advanced doctoral students form working groups that support the development of research projects and dissertation-writing.
At this time, Rackham is following guidelines which are aligned with university policy to ensure a fiscally responsible running of the Rackham Interdisciplinary Workshops. With the expectation that current university spending restrictions will be lifted in the new fiscal year which begins July 1, 2021, we will allow proposed budgets for RIWs not to exceed $5,000 for proposals submitted by July 21 and $2,500 for proposals submitted by January 4. All Rackham funds are subject to university policy. If restrictions are not eased, the RIW will not be able to be reimbursed for any portion of the award on categories that remain curtailed.
Year-End Report
A year-end report is due by June 1. Year-end reports must include:
- Narrative Report
- Itemized Expense Report (you must use this template)
- (As necessary) Explanation of any departures from the approved budget
All of the above should be submitted via the RIW System. Your faculty sponsor and department administrator will indicate their approval of the year-end report through a link emailed to them by the RIW System.
Narrative Report
Please provide a general description of your activities. This should include how many meetings you held, their topics, format, location(s), attendance, and character. What role did the website play in your work? To the degree that you know them, include outcomes like new collaborations that resulted from the workshop. Did you accomplish what you expected to, or move in a direction that surprised the group’s organizers? What worked well, and what did not?
We are interested not only in hearing how Rackham’s support made a difference for your group, but also in any comments you may have about how the workshop program is structured. Please let us know if there are elements that are particularly helpful and important for you, and should be preserved, or things that you think we should do differently.
Itemized Expense Report
Please complete the Itemized Expense Report. No receipts are necessary. Attach a narrative (as necessary) in the explanation of any departures section for any portions of the report that require explanation.
For a detailed listing of valid expenses, please review the Funding section before preparing your application budget and year-end report expense listing, or both.
Renewal Applications
Applications for renewal of sponsorship for an existing group are due by July 21 for full year, and January 4 for half year.
You cannot begin a renewal application until you have submitted your Year-End Report (due June 1).
Once your year-end report is submitted, please go to the RIW System Application Home to begin the Renew Application process.
Renewal applicants should use the Topic Statement (500 words or less) to explain any changes in focus, format, or participation, and describe the activities planned for next year. Your renewal Topic Statement should also include comments on how the transition to new coordinators and sponsors will be made, if that is applicable. Include comments on changes that you have made from the arrangements of the previous year, if that is applicable.
Contact
Questions should be directed to 734.764.4405 or via email at rackriwapps@umich.edu.