There are three funds launched under the MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC): the SHASS+ Connectivity Fund, the Humanities Cultivation Fund, and the SHASS Education Innovation Fund. For all funds, proposals are welcome for projects that are ready to begin as well as planning grants in preparation for future proposals.

MITHIC also supports the Faculty-Driven Initiatives (FDI) seed grant. FDIs are programs that build community and scholarship on a defined topic of relevance to the humanities, arts, or social sciences.

SHASS+ Connectivity Fund

The SHASS+ Connectivity Fund is designed to support research that builds bridges between SHASS fields and other fields at MIT. Proposals require a project lead in SHASS and another project lead whose primary appointment is outside of SHASS. The fund will award $2 million per year across all projects.

The application for the SHASS+ Connectivity Fund is now open. Proposals are due March 17, 2026.

Humanities Cultivation Fund

The Humanities Cultivation Fund will fund projects in the Humanities and Arts in SHASS. The fund will award $500k per year across all projects. The RFP for the Humanities Cultivation Fund will be available later this spring.

Applications for the Humanities Cultivation Fund are not currently open.

SHASS Education Innovation Fund

The SHASS Education Innovation Fund is intended to support new educational approaches in SHASS fields. Proposals must be led by SHASS and group proposals are encouraged. The fund will award $500k per year across all projects.

Applications for the SHASS Education Innovation Fund are not currently open.

Faculty-Driven Initiatives (FDI)

FDIs are programs that build community and scholarship on a defined topic of relevance to the humanities, arts, or social sciences. FDIs should bring together faculty or teaching staff from multiple units across SHASS or the Institute, collaborating on a common area of study or issue.

Applications for the FDI are not currently open.