Brandeis students interested in leading “public events intended to combat Islamophobia” may apply for up to $1,500 funding, the International Center for Ethics, Justice and Public Life and the Brandeis Chaplaincy announced last week.

A campus-wide email from the Ethics Center invited students to apply for the funds which were made available through a grant donated by Brandeis alumnus Ammad Bahalim ’04, who the fund is named after.

The invitation calls for proposals “which are designed to draw in diverse members of the Brandeis community” and which “combat Islamophobia and promote an understanding of Islam as a tradition of learning and critical thinking.”

“Programs might include lectures, films, musical events, and comedy shows,” the email suggested to potential applicants. “Use your imagination!”

The email lists several criteria to be included in any application including the name of the organizer; a description of how the event fits the purposes of the fund; an itemized budget; the date, time and venue of the event; and how the student plans to publicize the event.

Proposals made by student organizations and proposals “that bring diverse sectors of the campus together” will be given preference, according to the application, which can be found on the Brandeis website.

Applicants may choose to apply for funding for events to be scheduled in the Fall of 2018 or the Spring of 2019. The deadline for fall applicants is Oct. 12, 2018. The deadline for spring applicants is Feb. 2, 2019.

“Grants will be made up to the amount of $1,500, with exceptions for outstanding proposals,” according to the application.

The donor of the fund, Bahalim, graduated Brandeis in 2004 with a B.A. in philosophy, politics and economics. He now works for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.