Private Higher Education
Supports projects at private U.S. colleges and universities that enhance undergraduate liberal arts education and foster civil discourse through research and evidence-based methods.
Funder: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
Due Dates: August 28, 2025 (LOI) | November 14, 2025 (Full Proposal) | August 27, 2026 (LOI) | November 13, 2026 (Full Proposal)
Funding Amounts: Typical grants range from $25,000 to $300,000; larger and multi-year requests considered.
Summary: Supports projects at private U.S. colleges and universities that advance undergraduate liberal arts education and promote civil discourse.
Key Information: Only open to U.S. private colleges, universities, and consortia; capital projects and endowments are not eligible.
Description
The Private Higher Education Program by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations funds initiatives at private colleges, universities, and consortia in the United States that prioritize undergraduate education and emphasize the liberal arts. The program is rooted in the belief that a liberal arts education offers broad, transformative benefits and equips students for a range of societal roles. Grants typically support projects that improve student outcomes, enhance faculty leadership, advance the value of the liberal arts, or foster civil discourse on campus. Proposals are especially encouraged for initiatives that increase access to the liberal arts for underrepresented students and promote respectful, productive dialogue across differences.
