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Social Justice Innovation Initiative 2023

The College of Social Work, through the Social Justice Innovation Initiative (SJII), announces another funding opportunity for Academic Year 2023-2024.

Since 2018, the College of Social Work has hosted the Social Justice Innovation Initiative (SJII). Part of the initiative is a grant process where students, faculty, and staff can request funding for projects that move the needle on social justice in the community. Through the years, the college has funded more than 20 projects focused on social justice and addressing racism, sexism, and intersectionality.

The theme will remain the same for this academic year, focusing Sexism, Racism, and Intersectionality. Projects should focus on addressing sexism, racism, or intersectional issues at the College of Social Work, at the University of Tennessee, and within the communities of Knoxville, Nashville, and greater Tennessee. Consideration will also be given to projects presented online to address these issues within any of these communities.

Past initiatives have brought important speakers to campus. In 2018, New York Times reporter Nikole Hannah Jones was the inaugural guest in the SJII Keynote Series. The Coalition of Black Social Workers (CBSW) invited Austin Channing-Brown to speak in Nashville in February 2019. Heather McGhee was the fall keynote in November 2019. And Austin Channing-Brown visited Knoxville in February 2020, just before the pandemic.

The funding process opened September 1, 2023. All Letters of Intent should be submitted via e-mail to Tony Murchison, Director of Outreach and Engagement, at tmurchis@utk.edu.

Additional information:

  • Grants will range in size from $5,000 to $10,000.
  • Proposed projects may include any activity that aligns with the initiative focus.
    • Projects may include research, art, community engagement, etc.
    • Funds may be used for a variety of purposes within the parameters of UT policy.
  • Letters of Intent should be one page, single-spaced
  • The deadline for submitting letters of intent is Wednesday, September 20 at 5:00pm EST.
  • Student proposals require a full-time faculty or staff sponsor for fiscal purposes.
  • Faculty and staff proposals must include student involvement.
  • Applicants are strongly encouragedto work with other UTK departments (CEHHS, sociology, library, etc.), existing community projects or engage community-based organizations.
  • The funds will be available late October 2023 and projects must be completed before the end of the academic year in May 2024.  

Please include the following information in your Letter of Intent:

  • How much money is requested?
  • How will the funds be utilized? Include a very brief budget
  • Who are the major members (students, faculty, and staff) included in the project?
  • Who are the potential partners (UTK department, community group)?
  • What are the basic objectives / goals of your proposed project?
  • How will the impact be measured?
  • What experience do you have in implementing a grant or program? (Note: no experience required.)  

Once the committee has reviewed the letters of intent, applicants will be notified of their status by September 27. Groups selected to move forward will receive requests for proposal packages and details for submission.  

These videos provide more details on the process along with additional information:

For questions or for more information, contact Tony Murchison at tmurchis@utk.edu.