MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC)
The MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC) funds interdisciplinary, human-centered research and educational innovation across the humanities, arts, and social sciences at MIT.
Funder: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Due Dates: October 23, 2025 | March 17, 2026 | October 19, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $2M/year (SHASS+ Connectivity Fund), $500K/year (Humanities Cultivation & Education Impact Funds); typical full proposal max $200K, planning grants up to $30K; 1-year projects (extensions possible).
Summary: Supports interdisciplinary, human-centered research and educational innovation at MIT, with competitive funding for SHASS, humanities, arts, and cross-disciplinary projects.
Key Information: MIT PI/co-PI eligibility required; only one full proposal as project lead per fund per cycle; planning grants and collaborator roles are flexible.
Description
The MIT Human Insight Collaborative (MITHIC) is a major internal funding initiative at MIT dedicated to advancing human-centered research, teaching, and creative practice. MITHIC unites scholars from the humanities, arts, social sciences (SHASS), and other MIT schools to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and address pressing societal challenges. The program comprises three primary funds:
- SHASS+ Connectivity Fund: For cross-disciplinary projects bridging SHASS and other MIT schools.
- Humanities Cultivation Fund: For innovative research and productions in the humanities and arts within SHASS.
- Education Impact Fund: For transformative educational projects in SHASS that address systemic pedagogical challenges.
Each fund issues annual calls for both full proposals (up to $200K) and smaller planning grants (up to $30K), supporting projects for one year (with possible extensions). All funds are administered by MIT, and proposals are evaluated for intellectual merit, collaboration, impact, and feasibility.
