Applications for the 2023-2024 Equity in Action grant cycle opened Monday, April 10th, 2023, and applications will be due by Friday, June 9th, 2023.

What types of projects is METRO interested in funding?

We’re interested in funding work that focuses on anti-racist practices and marginalized communities. We will prioritize holistic projects that involve a community engagement component and/or decision makers and stakeholders of color. We seek projects that address at least one of the following themes:

  • Physical or digital collections that are social movement based
  • Uncovering histories of racialized communities or histories of individuals who have experienced marginalization
  • Approaching digital collections work with an intersectional, anti-racist lens
  • Encouraging diversity and different perspectives in the field

We encourage your creativity. Sample project types can be found below:

Project Examples

We are willing to accept projects that are new or those that are in process. We encourage applicants to be creative about their institutional needs. If there are any questions about project proposals, please contact Traci Mark (tmark@metro.org) and Allison Sherrick (alund@metro.org) with info@metro.org copied. Learn more about past grant recipients and their projects here, and below are some project examples to spark ideas:

Web archiving:

  • Beginning or continuing a web archiving project that deals with racialized communities

Oral histories:

  • Creating or helping to create an oral history project that collects stories from underrepresented groups

Metadata/description:

  • Re-cataloguing a collection through an anti-racist framework
  • Re-cataloguing a collection that more authentically reflects subjects/individuals representing a marginalized community

Digital curation:

  • Building or creating an online exhibit or digital collection that brings forward historical perspectives of racialized people

Digitization projects:

  • Beginning or continuing a digitization project focusing on marginalized communities, hidden histories of racialized groups, and/or prominent figures in racial justice work

Digital Humanities projects:

  • ​​​​​​Creating digital editions, archives, maps, visualizations, and exhibitions related to hidden histories of historically underrepresented people
  • Using digital media to foster a better understanding of current and historical forces related to racialized groups
  • Creating, using, or analyzing digital tools for research into hidden histories of marginalized communities
Who can apply?

Only METRO member institutions located in New York City and Westchester County are eligible to apply. You can find our list of members here

Interested in becoming a member? Please visit our membership page and submit your institutional information by Friday, May 12th if you are interested in applying for the grant. 

If you are a current METRO member, please make sure your membership is up to date prior to the application deadline. We will only review applications from METRO members with no outstanding dues.

When will my institution be reimbursed?

The project will commence on August 15th, 2023 and end on June 7th, 2024. METRO will reimburse selected institutions for all expenses incurred in two phases:

  • Phase I: August 15th, 2023 through January 19th, 2024
  • Phase II: January 20th, 2024 through June 7th, 2024

The midterm deadline for participants to submit program outputs will be January 19th, 2024. Final program outputs will be due to METRO by June 7th, 2024. Institutions can expect to receive reimbursement checks in late January 2024 and mid-June 2024, provided METRO is in receipt of all necessary documentation.

What does METRO expect to see in terms of outputs from this grant program?

In addition to the deliverables specified in your application (i.e. digital collections, OER, oral history collections, etc), METRO must be in receipt of project narratives for both Phase I and Phase II of your project, along with your program budget, receipts, invoices, and a W-9. Proof of completion will be determined on an individual application basis dependent on the project type. METRO staff will work with the grantee to decide what form this will take.

What are you looking for in a project budget? Can our budget include vendor costs?

Your program budget should include the applicable expenses, including one or more of the following categories: 

  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Staffing
  • Training
  • Web design
  • Project evaluation
  • Promotion 
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Services

We recommend that institutions applying for funding receive direct quotes from any vendors, contractors, products, and services required to complete their project prior to submitting an application.

Click here for a sample budget and timeline.

Equity in Action funding is intended to be used for products and services directly related to project activities. We will prioritize proposals that center labor done within membership organizations and their partners.

What expenses are not covered in this grant program?

Direct compensation and/or fringe benefits for permanent employees are not eligible expenses for the Equity in Action Program.

Where can I learn more about METRO’s Equity in Action Grants?

Equity in Action Grant: Information Session
Wednesday, May 10th, 2023 from 11am to 12pm

This webinar will be facilitated by METRO’s Equity in Action Grant Program Managers Traci Mark and Allison Sherrick. Traci and Allison will review the main components of the grant process, including:

  • The program’s information sheet
  • The grant application form
  • The selection rubric used by the program’s advisory council

There will be a Q & A period at the end of the session. Please be sure to review our grant documentation before you arrive and bring any questions you might have about our Equity in Action grant program.

Register here.