Join the network
New chapter applications are accepted year-round, and chapters structure themselves however fits their department. Here's how to begin.
The playbook
Email your department and see who's interested. You'll need both organizers and participants — we recommend a core of 3–4 organizers. If organizers are all undergraduates, faculty support at the organizational level is critical.
Don't reinvent the wheel. Browse past chapter activities — reading groups, mentorship programs, speaker events, climate surveys — and adapt what's worked elsewhere.
Look to your department and university first (graduate student group funds, dean's funds), and apply for MAP chapter funding. We share sample funding proposals that have succeeded.
Read chapters' end-of-year reports to see what's worked, common problems, and suggested solutions — 180+ chapters have made most mistakes for you already.
Chapters consistently report that faculty attendance at events helps integrate MAP into the life of the department.
Chapter funding
Current cycle: AY 2026–27 · applications open
How it works. Funding is disbursed primarily by reimbursement: submit your receipts with a funding cover sheet (as a single PDF) at the end of the semester or when your allotted funds are spent.
Can't front the costs? We keep a limited advance fund for exactly this reason — no graduate student should have to float their event. Email us to request an advance.
One deadline that matters. For tax reasons, Fall funding can't carry into Spring — use it before the end of term. (Spring funds may carry into the following Fall.)
Questions? Ask the funding team