Private Higher Education Grants
AVDF funds innovative, project-based research that advances undergraduate education and faculty leadership at private U.S. colleges and universities.
Funder: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations
Due Dates: August 27, 2026 (Letter of Inquiry) | November 13, 2026 (Full Proposal, by invitation)
Funding Amounts: Typical awards range from $25,000 to $300,000; larger requests considered; project duration is usually 1–2 years.
Summary: Supports discrete projects that advance excellence and innovation in private undergraduate higher education in the United States.
Key Information: Only U.S.-based 501(c)(3) private colleges/universities focused on undergraduate education are eligible.
Description
The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations (AVDF) provide grants to support impactful projects in the area of Private Higher Education. The program is designed to fund initiatives at private, four-year, residential colleges and universities that prioritize undergraduate education, particularly those that improve student outcomes or enhance faculty leadership. AVDF emphasizes discrete, project-based funding rather than organizational support, and does not fund capital projects, endowments, or scholarships. The application process is rigorous and competitive, involving a two-stage review (Letter of Inquiry followed by Full Proposal by invitation only), with final decisions made by the AVDF Board of Trustees.
