Departments and units across the University of Michigan have an opportunity to address ergonomic challenges in the workplace through grants currently available from the MHealthy Ergonomics Awareness Program. Applications for funding will be accepted through December 31. 

Any university employee can apply on behalf of their area. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to assist with purchasing equipment or redesign work processes. To stretch resources further and support more university areas, departments and units awarded a grant are encouraged to share in the cost of the project.

Applications are encouraged if any of the following apply to an area’s employees: 

• Experiencing physical discomfort due to manually lifting, pushing, pulling or transporting equipment, objects or patients.

• Bending over, reaching up or performing awkward, repetitive motion for several hours during the workday.

• Experiencing physical stress or discomfort due to work equipment.

Grant applications will be evaluated based on:

• Significance of the ergonomic issue.

• Feasibility of the project.

• Anticipated outcome.

Additional details, including guidelines on eligible and ineligible projects and examples of previously funded projects, are available on the MHealthy ergonomics website.

Applications will be reviewed by the MHealthy Ergonomics Awareness team, which includes representatives from MHealthy; Environment, Health and Safety in Ann Arbor; UMHHC Safety Management Services; the Department of Environmental Health and Safety in Dearborn; and Environment, Health and Safety in Flint.

For more information or to apply for an ergonomics grant, visit the Ergonomics Grants webpage.