State Puts Up $500K In Fight Against Campus Sex Assault

LANSING (WWJ) - The state has begun taking applications for grants as part of the Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program that was set up in hopes of preventing rapes at colleges and universities.

Michigan First Lady Sue Snyder hopes all schools will apply.

"The grants will be awarded to schools with innovative, different and forward-thinking project proposals who also showcase the spirit of collaboration in their project proposals," she said. "As a state we have the best chance of bringing an end to sexual assault if we all work together."

The state has set aside $500,000 from the 2016 General Fund for the program.

"With our youngest daughter about to be a sophomore at the University of Michigan, this issue remains a topic close to my heart," Snyder said. "No students should feel unsafe on their campus — their home away from home."

The grant opens Wednesday, Aug. 5 and closes at noon on Thursday, Oct. 1. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

To be considered for funding all applicants must:

• Submit a detailed and complete application with all required information by noon on Oct. 1.
• Be a public or non-public university, college or community college where students attend classes on a physical campus in the state of Michigan.
• Provide a project overview that includes project title, goals and objectives, proposed start and completion dates, estimated cost, grant amount requested and additional partners participating in the project.
• The proposed project must start after Nov. 5, 2015, and be completed prior to Aug. 31, 2016.
• Submit no more than two applications per college/university.

"The start of this initiative was met with such positive energy, I'm excited to build on that momentum and continue working together across all sectors to make Michigan a true leader in the fight against sexual assault," Gov. Rick Snyder said, in a release.

Grant determinations will be made on or before Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015. All grants will be given on a reimbursement-only basis.
The grant application is available at michigan.gov/CJgrants. For questions regarding the grant program or to submit your school's application, email msp-csagrant@michigan.gov.