Division III Strategic Initiatives Conference Grant Program
The NCAA Division III Strategic Initiatives Grant funds conferences to support educational and collaborative programs advancing professional development, inclusion, and the student-athlete experience in line with Division III priorities.
Funder: National Collegiate Athletic Association
Due Dates: July 15, 2026 (Requisition Form) | August 1, 2026 (Impact Form) | October 15, 2026 (Third-Party Review)
Funding Amounts: $84,000–$140,000 per conference per year (varies by membership); total annual pool ~$4.2M; $24,000 fixed for Tier Four initiatives.
Summary: Supports NCAA Division III conferences and independents in delivering local educational programs and initiatives aligned with Division III strategic priorities.
Key Information: Annual funding allocations and deadlines; strict reporting and audit requirements apply.
Description
This program provides annual funding to NCAA Division III conferences and the Association of Division III Independents to support educational programs and services that advance the Division III strategic plan. The grant is designed to foster collaboration among key conference stakeholders—including presidents, athletics directors, senior woman administrators, faculty athletics representatives, sports information directors, and student-athletes—by incentivizing broad-based planning, shared decision-making, and local accountability. Funding is distributed across multiple tiers, each targeting professional development, social responsibility, participation quality, and diversity/equity/inclusion priorities. Oversight, transparency, and compliance are emphasized through required annual reporting and third-party reviews.
