Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement (CIRCLE)
Federal Government Shutdown Updates
A federal government shutdown began on October 1, 2025. Federally funded projects may experience delays in communication, funding actions, and approvals. Please refer to the Sponsored Programs Administrion office for guidance.
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The Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement (CIRCLE) is a locus for interdisciplinarity at MSU. The center launched in the fall of 2023 to build community, provide training and support for interdisciplinary activities, and conduct research on interdisciplinarity. CIRCLE is unique in its broad definition of interdisciplinary activities as well as its commitment to scholarship on the nature of interdisciplinarity. Inaugural programming includes an interdisciplinary workshop series, a seed grant program, a residency for an MSU faculty member, and series of mixers and informal events to help build community for students, scholars, and educators focused on interdisciplinarity.
For more information or inquiries about CIRCLE programming or consulting, please contact Megan Halpern at ORI.CIRCLE@msu.edu.
At CIRCLE we believe that building and supporting an interdisciplinary community is the cornerstone of our work to foster and support successful interdisciplinary research, teaching, and engagement at MSU. The core of this work is our Faculty Affiliate Program. Affiliates will have special access to CIRCLE social events, trainings, programs, and support. Affiliate faculty may also serve as mentors for early career interdisciplinarians or serve on committees that will shape the future of CIRCLE. Letters of interest for Spring 2024 are due February 19.
CIRCLE (Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement) is excited to offer seed grants to support three projects in 2025-26. This program aims to provide an opportunity for genuine interdisciplinary collaboration among scholars and educators from different fields and areas of focus. The aim of these grants is to help develop new collaborations. We welcome proposals that focus on teaching and learning, research, or creative practice, and we welcome proposals in which team members are changing course or exploring new areas of inquiry.
The Center for Interdisciplinary Research, Collaboration, Learning, and Engagement (CIRCLE) seeks applicants for its second Graduate Fellowship, 2025-26. See below for the fellowship’s description, eligibility requirements, and how to apply. The application deadline is April 4, 2025.