[NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education](https://hls.harvard.edu)

April 2026 (Spring cycle) | October 2026 (Fall cycle)

Awards from under $1,000 up to $5,000; project period is 12 months.

Supports creative, significant projects in student affairs and higher education that advance innovation and have broad, lasting campus impact.

--- ## Description The Innovation Grants Program is designed to support new and creative ideas in student affairs and higher education, with a focus on projects that are significant, original, and aligned with the NASPA Strategic Plan or Guiding Principles (integrity, innovation, inclusion, and inquiry). Funded projects should demonstrate clear objectives, practical methods for achieving them, and a plan for evaluating outcomes. Emphasis is placed on the project's applicability and transferability to other campus communities, aiming to inspire broader adoption and adaptation. Successful proposals are expected to disrupt the status quo, transform campus culture, and deliver long-term benefits for institutions and students. --- ## Due Dates - April 2026: Spring cycle full application deadline (anticipated/projected) - October 2026: Fall cycle full application deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Awards are available in three categories: - Under $1,000 - $1,001 to $3,000 - $3,001 to $5,000 - All funds must be used within 12 months of award conferral. --- ## Eligibility - Open to individuals at any professional level (including students) and from any institutional type (e.g., community colleges, small colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions). - All applicants or applicant teams must include at least one NASPA member. - The grant is awarded to the institution; if the grant administrator leaves, a replacement must be named within 30 days. --- ## Application Process - Prepare a detailed application including: - Applicant and Institutional Profile - Proposal Abstract (max 500 words) - Innovation Project Plan (max 2,500 words) covering objectives, significance, design, applicability/transferability, innovation, impact, and practicality - Management Plan and Budget with justification for expenses - Approval from the Senior Student Affairs Officer (SSAO) - Optional: Supplemental materials (e.g., PowerPoint slides, short video) - Letter of Intent is encouraged but not required; it should specify the project contact, title, organization, and grant category, and be sent to cdougherty@naspa.org. - Applications are reviewed based on significance, project design and practicality, applicability and transferability, and impact. --- ## Additional Information - Grant funds can be used for staff training, consultants, and other justified expenses. - Recipients are expected to present their project at a NASPA conference or event. - Applications may be moved between funding categories at the discretion of the selection committee. - Projects must be innovative for the applicant's campus and not standard practice in the field. --- ## External Links - [NASPA Innovation Grants Program Details & Application](https://naspa.org/awards/naspa-innovation-grants-program) - [NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education](https://hls.harvard.edu) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Address | |---------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Colleen Dougherty | cdougherty@naspa.org | Innovation Grants Program, 111 K Street, NE 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20002 | ---

Innovation Grants Program

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