The AAPI Experience Grant will support student projects that highlight the voices and experiences of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities in North America. Oberlin Shansi, in conjunction with the Multicultural Resource Center, Comparative American Studies, the Asian American Alliance (AAA), and As I Am, will provide awards of up to $300 for academic, artistic, and community engaged projects that engage the stories, arts, activisms, and histories of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. The grant committee also encourages work that explores solidarities and collaborations between AAPI communities and Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and queer communities in North America.

Grantees will present their work for the Oberlin and Shansi Communities. Shansi staff will also work with grantees to explore wider dissemination of their work. Shansi can provide additional funds for projects that incur added expenses, including but not limited to art supplies, music rights, and rented film equipment.

Projects can take a number of formats, including, but not limited to, academic papers, creative writing, zines and graphic novels, performance pieces, paintings, sculptures, essays, podcasts, and short films. Projects can be an extension of prior work for an Oberlin class or extra-curricular effort. However, in the grant proposal, the applicant must address how the project will evolve from previously completed work. Details about the proposal requirements are available on the application form.

AAPI Experience Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Once submitted, please allow the grant committee 2-3 weeks time to review the grant and respond with a decision. Please note that we offer a limited number of grants per year. Applicants are encouraged to speak with Shansi staff and apply early in the academic year.

• Our use of the acronym AAPI was done to solicit projects that engage a broad range of communities with historical and cultural links to Asia and the Pacific Islands. In soliciting proposals, we support and encourage projects which focus on Pacific Islander communities.  

Please see here for our statement on anti-Asian hate.

The AAPI Experience Grant application consists of:

• A completed application form

• A proposal of 500-700 words outlining key details of the project

• A resume

• One letter of Support (It is the applicant's responsibility to send their recommenders the link to the

  recommendation form.)

Recipients