2014 Global Solidarity Grant Program

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) are jointly offering small grants of up to $2,500 to ACCU member institutions to facilitate creative projects that advance Catholic mission through global solidarity. Appropriate projects will be innovative and high-impact, combining prayer, spiritual development, and the examination of values with educational objectives. Projects that promote collaboration across campus (i.e., between academic and student life areas), reach a significant portion of the campus population, or lead to ongoing programming or events are especially encouraged. Projects may include some advocacy work and should occur in the spring 2015 semester. Projects must involve students in a significant way but must have a faculty or staff sponsor.

Applications should include:

1. Cover Sheet – List the title of project, primary sponsor(s) and contact information, amount requested, and 100-word description of the project. An administrative contact (grants officer or business office administrator) must be identified. The cover sheet must be signed by the sponsor(s), including the administrative contact.
2. Narrative – For each of the three following areas, please describe:
   1. The educational rationale behind the proposal, the intended audience, and how it advances global solidarity as a part of the Catholic mission of the college or university.
   2. A project plan that details how the proposal’s goals will be met, and identifies the specific resources and activities needed to accomplish the plan. Please outline how campus constituencies will collaborate to carry out the proposal, and the potential for continuing activity.
   3. The qualifications of the applicants to carry out the project, and qualifications of other persons (e.g., guest speakers) who may help with the project.
3.  Budget – Provide an itemized list of proposed expenditures (stipends, travel, reference and teaching materials, fees, etc.). Stipends may not exceed $125 per day for participants from the applicants’ institution, with no one person receiving more than $500 total for work on the project. Appropriate honoraria for speakers may be proposed. Support from other sources should also be listed if a project’s total cost is expected to exceed $2,500. Charges for administrative overhead (to cover business or grant office expenses) may not exceed 10 percent of the project total. Funds will be released only when the project is completed.

The narrative must be clear, complete, and free of jargon. Please limit the narrative to three to five double-spaced pages.

Grant applications are due on Monday, December 1, 2014, and should be submitted as a Word document or in PDF form to accu@accunet.org.  Proposals will be reviewed by a committee of three to five representatives from CRS and ACCU. Notifications to grant winners will be sent in January 2015. Final project reports should be submitted to ACCU no later than May 31, 2015. The final report must include a summary of the event or project, including evaluation by the grantee, and a description of plans to continue the work. Photos, videos, and any media coverage would also be welcomed with the final report.