[Council of Independent Colleges](https://cic.edu)

November 17, 2025 (Application deadline)

Up to $15,000 per project; one-year project period (calendar year 2026).

Supports CIC member colleges and community partners in collaborative, public-facing projects exploring the histories and legacies of American slavery.

Projects must include a public component and a partnership with a community-based organization.

--- ## Description This grant program, offered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), is designed to help independent colleges and their community partners explore, interpret, and share the complex histories and enduring legacies of American slavery. Funded projects must be collaborative, involving a CIC member institution and at least one community-based organization (such as a museum, historical society, library, school district, civic group, or another college/university). Projects should feature a significant public-facing component—examples include exhibits, presentations, tours, digital collections, podcasts, documentaries, or similar activities. Preference is given to proposals that combine original undergraduate research with public engagement, but teaching initiatives across multiple institutions are also eligible. Selected project teams will participate in a workshop on public history and memory of American slavery in June 2026. The program seeks to foster deeper campus and community understanding of slavery’s impact through innovative, collaborative, and accessible projects. --- ## Due Dates - November 17, 2025: Application deadline (full application and draft budget submission) - Funding decisions announced by December 31, 2025 - Funded projects must be completed between January 1 and December 31, 2026 - Final report due by January 31, 2027 --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $15,000 per project. - Project period: Calendar year 2026. - Cost-sharing is not required but may be included. - Stipends for individual faculty, librarians/archivists, or staff should not exceed $2,500 per person. - Recommended minimum stipend for a community partner representative is $1,000. - Student researcher stipends are encouraged, especially for summer work. - Allowable expenses include stipends, travel (up to $750 per trip), materials, supplies, outreach, and public program costs. - Funds may not be used for overhead, general operating expenses, capital improvements, or most durable equipment (exceptions may be made for equipment/software directly supporting public-facing activities). --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be CIC Institutional Members in good standing through 2026. - Projects must be led by a core team of three: - At least one full-time faculty member from the CIC member institution - At least one representative from a community-based partner organization - The third may be another faculty member, a librarian/archivist, or an administrator responsible for community engagement - The community partner must be a museum, historical society, library, school district, civic organization, or another college/university. - Projects must include a public-facing component. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [CIC online portal](https://my.cic.edu/Programs/Nomination-Process/Nomination-Process-New?programid=549A977F-1988-F011-B4CC-000D3A1EBF95). - Application materials should be combined into a single PDF file, except the draft budget (Excel format). - Required components: - Project statement (max 4 single-spaced pages) addressing project goals, design, local relevance, team composition, public engagement, and anticipated outcomes - Brief biographies (≤200 words) for each project team member - Preliminary [Project Budget template](https://legaciesofslavery.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Project-Budget.xlsx) - Completed [Contact Information Sheet](https://legaciesofslavery.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Contact-Information-Sheet.pdf) - Letter of support from the institution’s president or chief academic officer - Letter of support from the community-based partner organization --- ## Additional Information - Selected project teams will participate in a national workshop on public history and memory of American slavery in June 2026. - Projects should aim for impact beyond the grant period, fostering sustained campus-community engagement. - Examples of eligible public-facing activities: presentations, exhibits, tours, digital collections, podcasts, documentaries, memorials, and more. - For guidance on project design, see CIC’s [public humanities reports](https://cic.edu/insights/research-reports/humanities-research-for-the-public-good/) and [examples from the Legacies of American Slavery initiative](https://legaciesofslavery.net/a-timeline-of-the-legacies-of-american-slavery-initiative/). --- ## External Links - [Program Details & Application Instructions](https://legaciesofslavery.net/2026grant) - [Application Portal](https://my.cic.edu/Programs/Nomination-Process/Nomination-Process-New?programid=549A977F-1988-F011-B4CC-000D3A1EBF95) - [Project Budget Template (Excel)](https://legaciesofslavery.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Project-Budget.xlsx) - [Contact Information Sheet (PDF)](https://legaciesofslavery.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Contact-Information-Sheet.pdf) - [CIC Public Humanities Reports](https://cic.edu/insights/research-reports/humanities-research-for-the-public-good/) - [Legacies of American Slavery Initiative Examples](https://legaciesofslavery.net/a-timeline-of-the-legacies-of-american-slavery-initiative/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | |--------------------|-------------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------| | Philip M. Katz | CIC Senior Director of Projects| pkatz@cic.edu | (202) 552-8988 | | General Inquiries | | cic@cic.edu | (202) 466-7230 | | CIC Contact Page | | | [Contact Form](https://cic.edu/contact) | ---

Histories and Legacies of American Slavery (2026)

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