Support CSAS

The University of Michigan's Center for South Asian Studies (CSAS) is committed to the development and advancement of the scholarly study of the region conventionally known as South Asia, comprising the nations of India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. CSAS faculty associates are drawn from units across the university including the social sciences, the humanities, and professional schools like law, business, architecture, and public health. This area of study is one whose rich cultural and historical heritage is matched only by its rising importance in economic and political life today. Building on a tradition that began at the University of Michigan with the formation of "The Committee on Southern Asian Studies" in 1958, the field has grown and flourished over the years. But as we approach the half-century anniversary of organized South Asian Studies at Michigan, we recognize that our ability to reach an even higher standard of teaching, research, and programming depends centrally on the generosity of those who share our commitment to the study and dissemination of knowledge about this important region in Michigan and beyond. To that end, we invite your participation in these targeted opportunities:

giving button

The Value +

The Center of South Asian Studies (CSAS), within the Michigan's International Institute (II), seeks to support and organize educational and research programs in South Asia that help to make Michigan a national leader in the field of South Asian studies. To increase the impact of these scholarly activities, CSAS also organizes public programs that place discussion of global issues at the forefront of our and the universities' mission.

To advance our mission, CSAS promotes education, broadly, about South Asia, including study abroad; helps to recruit international faculty and to arrange visits by prominent scholars, artists, public officials, and others from across the globe; and supports collaborative research projects with scholars and institutions throughout the world. Our goals are to ensure that our students graduate with a greater global perspective and understanding; and to support innovative and advanced faculty research on international issues of major importance to the United States and the world.

The Vision +

The center's mission is to promote a broader and deeper understanding of South Asia and its histories, cultures, and peoples. We know how important this is, in a shrinking, globalized world, not only for students but for the university, community and public school audiences we reach out to each year. There are now some 45 faculty at Michigan who devote part or all or their research and teaching to South Asia, from the humanities, social and natural sciences, business, architecture and urban planning, and public policy. Forty-five South Asianists at Michigan is remarkable and presents many opportunities.

The Difference +

The assistance of private contributors is required to continue and expand upon this important work. The following are some of the areas in which we are developing initiatives for which financial support will enable us to maintain and enhance Michigan's deserved reputation as a leader in international education.

The Center Executive Committee has identified several goals for our fund raising efforts, and we ask, respectfully, for your financial help in support of the following programs. We indicate costs associated with these programs, but welcome donations in any amount. Your help in identifying friends, colleagues or acquaintances who may wish to support these activities would be very much appreciated.

Named Center Endowment

An endowment naming the Center for South Asian Studies assures the future position of the South Asian Studies at the University, with endowment income providing anchoring funds for academic programs, faculty and student research, and staff support. The Center is the hub of a vibrant and wide-ranging community of scholars and students of South Asia at the University. CSAS provides national and international leadership for the training of the next generation of specialists on South Asia; it also organizes a range of public events with South Asian Studies content. Endowing and naming the Center would be the most significant catalyst to ensuring that the Center's programs remain supported at the highest level for the future.

Named Center Directorship

The income from an endowed directorship will create a Center Strategic Fund that significantly enhances the Center's capacity to marshal University resources. This will allow the Director to initiate special and consequential projects on South Asia, including academic conferences, arts performances and scholarly and community programming. It also will allow for support to graduate student and faculty research at key moments when funds are needed for research travel or training. Endowing the directorship would provide Center-sponsored programs the flexibility to address on-going developments in this vibrant and quickly changing region of the world.

Center Discretionary Fund

Unrestricted gifts to this fund permit the Center to support on-going programming: scholarly lectures, film series, student conferences, outreach to schools and other events and programs that further public knowledge and awareness of South Asia. Your gift of any amount increases the Center's ability to respond to new initiatives and needs as they emerge. Any unexpended funds at the end of the year will be transferred to the Named Center Directorship Strategic Fund to provide a base for long term programming support.

Graduate Student Support

The Center for South Asian Studies is a hub for the scholarly pursuit of inquiry into the region. We continue to attract the very best young students interested in the region, and finding ways to adequately support their education is more critical now than ever before as public institutions continue to reserve their funds. Opportunities exist to support full MA and Ph.D. students:

  • Named Scholarships for CSAS MA and departmental Ph.D. students allowing us to offer reliable support for students in a broad range of country and disciplinary fields, and to attract the very best students to the University of Michigan.

  • An endowed fund for graduate student research supports field study and internships in South Asia and participation in professional conferences.

Tamil Language Endowment

The Tamil Language endowment, administered through the Center, provides on-going support for the teaching of Tamil in the Department of Asian Languages & Cultures (ALC). In the past this fund has also supported the research and development of language materials both for teaching and learning Tamil.Your gift of any level increases the principal in the fund. A lead gift of $100,000 or more moves the endowment towards its larger goal of $1million, which would provide full funding for a permanent Tamil Language instructor position within ALC.