03/11/2026
By Margaret Shanahan

The Independent University Alumni Association is pleased to offer the opportunity to apply for funding for projects that benefit students at UMass Lowell. The guidelines follow.
Please submit applications by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 to Margaret_Shanahan@uml.edu.

Independent University Alumni Association Grant Guidelines

The Independent University Alumni Association (IUAAL) is steward of a number of funds that support students and community at University of Massachusetts, Lowell by the awarding of scholarships and grants.* The IUAAL Funds for grants as well as the UMass Lowell/ IUAAL Matching Fund for grants are meant to serve for the benefit of students enrolled at UML. The UMass Lowell/IUAAL Matching Fund is to be used for grants to UMass Lowell faculty/staff or to a company or nonprofit within the Lowell community to support proposed projects that involve UMass Lowell students.

The IUAAL aims to foster cooperation and collaboration between UMass Lowell students, faculty, staff and alumni and engagement in the greater Lowell community. Following are suggestions that may contribute to the success of your grant application.

  1. Applicants for IUAAL Funds for grants must be students, faculty, staff, alumni or emeriti of UMass Lowell and/or must be part of teams that include students, faculty, staff, alumni or emeriti of UMass Lowell.
  2. Applicants for UMass Lowell/IUAAL Matching funds must be faculty/staff or a company or nonprofit within the Lowell community
  3. Collaborations between students, faculty, alumni and the greater Lowell community are encouraged.
  4. Undergraduate projects must have faculty or staff supervision.
  5. It is recommended that graduate research projects involve undergraduate students.
  6. The IUAAL grant may be used to pay for undergraduate student internships in the Greater Lowell community. The IUAAL recommends that project supervisors seek to collaborate with initiatives and enterprises that are led or owned by UMass Lowell Alumni.
  7. Budgets for projects must be attached to the application. In addition to student stipends, budgets may include purchase or rental of certain equipment, rental of specialized spaces necessary to performance or completion of project and cost of publication.
  8. Funds will not be granted for purchase of food or beverages for events.
  9. Funds may not be used to pay overhead costs at UMass Lowell.

Grantees must credit the Independent University Alumni Association or the UMass Lowell/IUAAL Matching Fund as benefactors in all publications and media associated with the products and performances of granted projects.

Gifts given or donations made to the Independent University Alumni Association are not gifts to the University of Massachusetts. The Independent University Alumni Association is not part of the University of Massachusetts but supports students and community at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell with the awarding of scholarships and grants.