[Wake Forest University - The Program for Leadership and Character](https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu)

February 20, 2026 (Letter of Inquiry) | June 1, 2026 (Final proposal, invited institutions)

$100,000–$1,000,000 per award over three years

Supports higher-ed institutions integrating character education across undergraduate programs through substantial, mission-aligned initiatives.

--- ## Description The Educating Character Initiative’s Institutional Impact Grants provide significant funding to accredited U.S. colleges and universities aiming to advance character education across their undergraduate programs. These three-year grants are designed to help institutions embed character development in ways that are aligned with their mission, context, and culture. The program encourages creative, institution-specific approaches and supports both faculty and staff leadership in sustained, campus-wide change. Prior grantees include a diverse range of institutions committed to transformative character education. --- ## Due Dates - **February 20, 2026:** Letter of Inquiry deadline (Institutional Impact Grants) - **June 1, 2026:** Final proposal deadline (from invited institutions) Decisions will be announced by July 1, 2026, with grants beginning August 1, 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Range:** $100,000 to $1,000,000 per grant - **Duration:** Three years - Funding supports broad, sustained efforts to integrate character education across campus. --- ## Eligibility - Accredited two- and four-year U.S. colleges and universities are eligible. - Cross-institutional networks may apply, but funds must be managed by a single institution. - Project leaders must hold (or be contracted for) a long-term faculty or staff position at an eligible institution. - Particularly suitable for institutions with demonstrated capacity or prior experience in character education, or those with faculty/staff prepared to lead major initiatives. - Strong institutional support and alignment with the institution’s mission are prioritized. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Inquiry:** Submit by February 20, 2026, through the [ECI Grant Portal](https://wakeforestuniversity.my.site.com/forms/s/application) (portal opens January 12, 2026). 2. **Invitation to Full Proposal:** Selected institutions will be invited to submit a final proposal by June 1, 2026. 3. **Review:** Proposals are evaluated based on institutional support, mission alignment, potential for broad and lasting impact, and commitment to sharing knowledge with the broader character education community. 4. **Decision:** Notifications by July 1, 2026; grant period begins August 1, 2026. Full instructions and program details are available in the [2026 RFP](https://prod.wp.cdn.aws.wfu.edu/sites/340/2025/09/ECI-Invitation-to-Community-and-2026-RFP-1.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - The program encourages early and ongoing engagement with the ECI team for guidance. - Strong proposals balance grassroots participation with institutional support. - Applicants are advised to build cross-campus collaborations and ensure their projects are deeply rooted in character education. - Current and past grantees’ advice and project examples are available on the [program website](https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/eci/grants/institutional-impact-grants/). --- ## External Links - [Institutional Impact Grants Program Page](https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/draft-the-educating-character-initiative-option-1/draft-eci-grantmaking/institutional-impact-grants/) - [2026 Request for Proposals](https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/eci/grants/2026-request-for-proposals/) - [Full RFP PDF](https://prod.wp.cdn.aws.wfu.edu/sites/340/2025/09/ECI-Invitation-to-Community-and-2026-RFP-1.pdf) - [ECI Grant Portal](https://wakeforestuniversity.my.site.com/forms/s/application) - [Advice from Current Grantees](https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/eci-news/advice-from-current-grantees-what-to-know-before-you-apply/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Web Contact Form | |------------------------|----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------| | ECI Grants Team | ECI@wfu.edu | [Contact Page](https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/contact) |

Institutional Impact Grants

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