FSU Civic Engagement Mini-Grant

We invite faculty to submit mini-grant proposals for projects, activities, initiatives, and coursework that engage students in mutually-beneficial partnerships with local, regional, or national communities; and seek to improve the quality of life in those communities and address significant public issues. These activities must be completed during the 2019-2020 academic year. We will accept applications on a rolling basis, but for full consideration, please submit applications by October 15, 2019.

Faculty grants are awarded for up to $1,000 to implement projects. The projects may be part of a regular academic course or be a special project that involves students from multiple academic departments. Grants are awarded based on the significance of the issue or need being addressed, the depth of potential student learning, and the likelihood that the grantee may be able to use the civic participation grant as “seed” funding to leverage additional external funding in the future. 

We have a partnership with the MetroWest Non-Profit Network (MWNN), and Anna Cross, the Executive Director, can help faculty and staff brainstorm ideas for projects, as she oversees a network of over 1,400 non-profits in the area. If you are interested in working MWNN, please contact Anna directly with questions and ideas at across@metrowestnonprofit.org.

Examples of Mini-Grant Projects

• Travel and material expenses to design brochures, annual reports, logos for a non-profit organization.
• Travel and materials expenses to teach art at community centers, senior centers, and nursing homes.
• Travel and materials expenses to organize a neighborhood beautification project or a community garden.
• Travel expenses to develop a strategic plan for information systems management for a nonprofit agency.
• Travel and materials expenses to conduct community-planning studies or provide geographic information systems (GIS) assistance to community groups or governmental agencies.
• Travel and materials expenses to launch a voter registration drive.
• Travel and materials expenses to assist refugees.

Apply for the Mini-Grant

Successful awardees will receive up to $1,000 per grant. Please note that conference travel will not be funded by these grants.

Guidelines

Proposals should be no more than two pages (including budget) and contain the following information:

• Purpose of project
• Project timeline
• Potential student-learning outcomes
• Nature of student involvement
• Alignment with the ADP goals and FSU Strategic Plan
• Budget outlining planned expenses

By accepting funding, applicants are expected to submit a final report detailing the outcomes of the project and be willing to participate in a campus discussion related to their work.