The University of Kentucky's Gaines Center for the Humanities is now accepting applications for its minigrant program for the 2024-25 academic year. Now in its fifth year, the program provides grants of up to $500 intended to support humanities-related programming and expenses related to speaker fees and/or event logistics. 

Since its inception, the minigrants have sponsored dozens of events across campus offsetting barriers and fostering new relationships in this hyperdigital era. Minigrant awardees included a variety of colleges, departments and schools, such as Anthropology, African American and Africana studies, Architecture, Behavioral Science, Mathematics, the College of Medicine, the School of Art and Visual Studies and the Graduate School. 

“The Gaines Center is excited to support a wide range of humanities projects through our versatile minigrants program,” Gaines Center Director Michelle Sizemore said. “The programming in the applications we’ve received has been remarkable — a testament to the deep engagement with the humanities among faculty, staff and students across the university.”

The Gaines Center will award mini-grants to programs that meet the following guidelines:

• Demonstrate a strong humanities focus.  

• Allow for maximum participation of faculty, students and/or community members when possible.

• Occur before May 1, 2025.

• List the Gaines Center for the Humanities as a sponsor or co-sponsor all relevant announcements and marketing materials.

Individuals in any UK college or department are eligible to apply.  

The Gaines Center is accepting applications on a rolling basis, but early application is encouraged as funds are limited. Click here to apply. 

Questions regarding the Gaines Center’s grant program may be directed to Chelsea Brislin, associate director of the Gaines Center, at 859-257-1537 or clbris4@uky.edu. 

Founded in 1984 by a generous gift from John and Joan Gaines, the Gaines Center for the Humanities functions as a laboratory for imaginative and innovative education on UK's campus. The center is devoted to cultivating an appreciation of the humanities in its students and faculty. The Gaines Center embraces varied paths of knowledge and particularly strives to integrate creative work with traditional academic learning.