Please note: the mini-grant program is not available during the summer. It begins at the start of the Fall semester for academic year projects and plans
During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Career & Civic Engagement Center offers students with energy and a plan the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to support their developing interests. There are limited funds available for students to apply for through the Center.
Students are only eligible to receive funds from one of the three areas (The Center, Career Engagement, Civic Engagement) per academic year and the request has a maximum limit of $200 per student or group.
How to Apply
The Mini Grant Application will be linked here at the beginning of the academic year. You will be prompted at the start to select one of the three areas listed below. For any of the three areas, students may apply for a mini-grant anytime during the academic year by submitting a proposal using this form.
A panel of Career & Civic Engagement Center staff reviews applications and if approved, grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. There is a limited budget, so it's possible funds may not be available towards the end of the academic year.
How Funds May be Used
The funds for mini-grants may be used in a variety of ways. For instance, students have requested funding for transportation to an event or to pay for guest speakers who will address the campus. In addition, funding can be applied toward conference registration fees, travel, accommodation, and food expenses.
- Civic Engagement: Civic Engagement offers students with energy and a plan the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to fund their developing projects. Funds from a Civic Engagement mini-grant may be used for a one-time service event or to provide seed money for an ongoing new initiative.
- Career Engagement: Career Engagement offers students with energy and a plan the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to further their career interests and goals. Funds from a Career Engagement mini-grant may be used for a one-time event or conference, or for interview-related travel expenses.
- Career & Civic Engagement Center: The Career & Civic Engagement Center offers students with energy and a plan the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to further their leadership interests and goals. Funds from a Career & Civic Engagement Center mini-grant may be used for a one-time event or conference.
Please note:
- Applicants must link the content of the mini-grant to personal development and civic engagement using at least two of the following leadership competencies: Conceptual Thinking, Implementation, Communication, Social Responsibility, Cultural Competency, Connection, and Reflective Practice.
- Travel award applications must show some sort of documentation about the conference.
- Applicants must submit a budget showing how the award will be spent.
- Awards cannot exceed $200 per proposal or per person.
Past Projects
Below are some examples of past projects students have developed that were supported by Civic Engagement mini grants:
Think Global, Act Local
Alexi Ernstoff requested funding from Civic Engagement to support a fundraising event for a new student organization. Think Global, Act Local is a student-run group on campus with the goal of raising funds and awareness for local organizations that represent global issues. The money provided by Civic Engagement paid for supplies and transportation expenses accrued in organizing a clothing sale in partnership with Green Street Consignment Shop.
Common Ground Collective Trip to New Orleans
Georgia Lawrence applied to Civic Engagement requesting money to off-set the cost for four Bryn Mawr students to travel to New Orleans over winter break to work with Common Ground Collective—an agency organizing rebuilding efforts in areas of New Orleans destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.