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Supporting activities & events that further our mission

The Obermann Center welcomes the opportunity to support activities and events that further our mission—promoting research and creative work, facilitating publicly engaged art and scholarship, and building intellectual community. University of Iowa faculty members may request small, discretionary grants (up to $400) to fund opportunities such as visiting speakers and conferences. See application link at the bottom left of this page.

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Please note:

  1. The requesting party is expected to administer the funding and the event. The Obermann Center cannot assume organizational responsibilities in connection with co-sponsored events.
  2. Co-sponsorship requests should be submitted at least one month in advance of the event.
  3. The event should be free and open to the public.
  4. We ordinarily limit co-sponsorship awards to two events per department per fiscal year.
  5. The Obermann Center will not release funding for approved co-sponsorships until 1) the event is posted on the UI Events Calendar, with the Obermann Center tagged as a "Department," and 2) the requesting party has submitted Obermann's Co-Sponsorship Report. 

View past co-sponsored activities and events on our website archive. 

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Apply

We're delighted that you're interested in partnering with us! Please submit our co-sponsorship webform, and we'll get back to you shortly. Please note that:

  1. The requesting party is expected to administer the funding and the event. The Obermann Center cannot assume organizational responsibilities in connection with co-sponsored events.
  2. Co-sponsorship requests should be submitted at least one month in advance of the event.
  3. We ordinarily limit co-sponsorship awards to two events per department per fiscal year. 
  4. The Obermann Center will not release funding for approved co-sponsorships until 1) the event is posted on the UI Events Calendar, with the Obermann Center tagged as a "Department," and 2) the requesting party has submitted Obermann's Co-Sponsorship Report. 
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Resources

The Obermann Center's guide to publicizing events—a handy checklist for UI faculty, staff, and graduate students

Obermann Co-Sponsorship Report Form — All recipients of Obermann co-sponsorship funding must complete this webform after the event/activity.

 

Upcoming

The University of Iowa Lecture Committee presents: Hill Harper promotional image

The University of Iowa Lecture Committee presents: Hill Harper

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)
Harper was born in Iowa City, IA, the son of two doctors – his father, a psychiatrist and his mother, an anesthesiologist. He graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was named Valedictorian of his department. Harper then graduated with a J.D. (cum laude) from Harvard Law School, as well as with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, with honors, from the Kennedy School of Government. He holds honorary doctoral degrees from Howard University, Winston-Salem State University, Cheyney University, Le-Moyne Owen College, Westfield State College, Dillard University and Tougaloo College.
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