Rewarding Innovation
The Phyllis M. Blackman Innovation Grants, formerly known as the DEI Mini Grants, began in 2017.
The Phyllis M. Blackman Innovation Grants, formerly known as the DEI Mini Grants, began in 2017, as a part of the inaugural year of DEI 1.0 five-year strategic plan. The mini grant program was created as an engagement opportunity to provide an opportunity to acknowledge, inform, reinvigorate, and refocus departmental and unit efforts that promote respect for and learning about others.
The DEI Mini Grants were renamed to the Phyllis M. Blackman Innovation Grants to honor the contributions of former Office for Health Equity and Inclusion Director, and Anti-Racism Oversight Committee co-chair, Phyllis M. Blackman, who retired in 2021. Phyllis was a catalyst for change and an advocate for diversity at Michigan Medicine and in our community.
The DEI grant allows us to develop resources to put the right information in the hands of patients and providers to improve communication, and therefore improve access to life-changing healthcare. Protocols in place to mitigate COVID-19 have tremendously impacted non-English speaking patients.
All Michigan Medicine faculty, house officers, staff and learners.
Innovative ideas that promote the vision for diversity, equity and inclusion. House Officers and students interested in disparities research are also encouraged to apply. Funds may be used to support recruitment of diverse research subjects and advance knowledge in culturally appropriate research design. Collaboration within units that make up larger departments (e.g., Internal Medicine, Surgery) is encouraged.
Innovative ideas are those that benefit the academic medical center, use creative, artistic or best practices to promote awareness and inspire learning about the diverse faculty, staff, patients and learners in our community.
Any amount up to a maximum of $5,000 per proposal.
Departments may submit more than one proposal. For example, Pediatric Surgery and Plastic Surgery may both submit applications because they are different sections/units under the Department of Surgery. However, neither section can have more than one active Phyllis M. Blackman Innovation Grant at one time.
No. Funds cannot be used to cover salaries and benefits of any Michigan Medicine employee (or non-Michigan Medicine employee). Funds cannot be used to support effort for Michigan Medicine employees.
