The School of Science is pleased to offer the Science Quality of Life (SQoL) program designed to build community within the school, promote inclusiveness for students, staff, and faculty and support the well-being of our community members. The program’s goals are to:

  • Build community and foster a sense of inclusion.
  • Provide faculty, staff and students opportunities to interact and socialize outside of the current research-driven activities and events.
  • Integrate academic and social aspects of life within the school.
  • Improve communications and outreach.
  • Build collaborations and connections with other community groups on campus.

The SQoL program encourages projects that have wide appeal among school community members, but will also consider proposals that focus on specific groups if they cut across existing departmental and programmatic lines. Projects need not be ambitious in scope, so long as they encourage positive connections within the community. The program will consider proposals of all sizes, but generally caps projects at $3,000 per year. In addition, proposals that have matching funds from other sources will be viewed favorably by the selection committee.

Proposals can be submitted under three broad categories. It is possible for a proposal to be applicable to more than one category. These are:

  • Community building
  • Diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Mentoring

Examples of activities could include: trainings, workshops, seminars, social events, wellness programs, book clubs, team building activities, and others.

Please contact Dean’s Finance at sos-dean-finance@mit.edu for additional information.

Proposal process and guidelines

Proposals are reviewed and funded twice per a year with notifications made within 30 days of the submission deadlines noted below:

September 30, 2022 for Fall/IAP semester funding — Fall semester QoL awards have been selected and announced.
January 31, 2023 for 2023 Spring/Summer semester funding — Apply for funding here.

Please be sure to include the following information in your proposal:

  • Detailed description of the event or activity
  • Rationale for how this will build community within the School
  • Clarify that the effort is achievable within the proposed time frame and budget
  • Explain how your proposal makes a difference in the quality of life of participants.
  • A list of the types of people who you expect to attend the event (faculty, staff, students, with their affiliated units)
  • A detailed budget.
    • Please note: In general, funding will not cover equipment (cameras, computers, furniture). Proposals for house parties or research will not be considered. In addition, these funds cannot support charities. Proposal authors are expected to volunteer their time; stipends for the organizing team will not be considered.

After funding

Grant recipients will be asked to submit a summary report at the end of the semester describing their planning, activities, schedule, budget, and community participation and impact. We would also appreciate any photos of your events or activities, if available.