PRESQUE ISLE – The University of Maine System, in partnership with the Maine Humanities Council, invites applications from individuals and groups to support projects that will expand and preserve knowledge of Maine’s rich multicultural heritage.

An outgrowth of the University of Maine System Diversity Initiative, this grant program is designed to foster collaborative efforts between the seven universities of the University of Maine System and individuals/groups in Maine’s community.

The university system will provide $25,000 in funding to support the program, and individual grant requests and awards will range from $500 to $5,000 each.

The grant program will support efforts to gather, document and preserve information, experiences and artifacts illustrating the ways in which people of very different racial and ethnic backgrounds have contributed to Maine’s cultural heritage.

Community involvement is an essential aspect of the grant program. Any individual or nonprofit organization in Maine is eligible to apply, but projects must involve collaboration between those individuals or groups, and one or more of the universities in the system. There also are project budget guidelines.

For more information, including the grant application guidelines and selection criteria, contact the academic affairs office of the UMaine System at 973-3230 or email: linda.hawkins@maine.edu.

The contact person at UMPI is Bonnie DeVaney at 768-9750 or devaney@polaris.umpi.maine.edu.

Individuals and organizations wanting assistance with project ideas or budgets, contact Erik Jorgenson of the Maine Humanities council, 773-5051 or email: ejorgens@mainehumanities.org.

Completed proposals must be submitted to the Academic Affairs Office of the UMaine System by Jan. 15.