Contemplative Communities Grant Program Description

Through the Contemplative Communities in Higher Education Grant Program, we seek to support the development of communities situated in higher education and centered around contemplative methods and social change. The following examples are among the activities and values of such communities:

• Engaging in group processes that foster inclusiveness across disciplines, roles, and/or social identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, ability, sexual orientation);
• Supporting the integration and retention of students, staff, and/or faculty who have traditionally been marginalized in higher education (low-income students, first generation students, students with disabilities, etc);
• Emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals, groups, and environments on campuses and in local communities;
• Demonstrating openness to contemplative methods and practices from a variety of traditions, systems, and disciplines;
• Creating spaces and opportunities for inquiry into meaning, purpose, spirituality, and the sacred;
• Fostering capacities that are needed to meet the challenges we currently face, on local to global levels.

This list is not definitive, and is not meant to be exhaustive or required of all grant-funded projects.

Grants may be awarded to communities in many different stages of development, from small, informal groups of individuals (e.g., faculty, staff, and/or students) to larger consortiums that include multiple institutions and communities in a region.

Guidelines & Eligibility Requirements

• Proposals may be submitted by individuals or teams, but each grant proposal must identify a lead author and a department or office to whom the grant monies will be paid, even if the proposal is submitted by a team.
• The lead author must be affiliated with an accredited college or university as a current graduate or undergraduate student, administrator, staff, or faculty member. Part-time, full-time, and adjunct positions are equally eligible. The lead author will be the contact person for the duration of the grant and principally responsible for guiding it through completion and reporting.
• The lead author must be a current member of the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education (ACMHE). To check your membership status or to join the ACMHE, please visit http://www.contemplativemind.org/programs/acmhe. If you are unable to afford a membership at this time, please contact us at .
• There are no location, nationality, or citizenship restrictions, although awards are made in US funds and grant reports must be submitted in English.
• The Center has funding for five (5) $4,000 seed grants. Awards may not be used toward salaries or general overhead for departments, offices, or centers. Examples of suitable uses for funding include but are not limited to: purchasing books and materials; space use, equipment rental, and catering costs for events; guest speakers, retreat/practice leaders, or consultants, including undergraduate or graduate student assistance on specific projects; providing childcare, transportation, or other services to support attendance. All expenses should be explained in clear relationship to achieving your project goals.

Review Process

Grants will be screened for eligibility and reviewed by an external review committee working with staff of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society.

The Center has funding for five (5) $4,000 seed grants. Proposals will be selected based on:

• A clear expression of intentions for undertaking the project (“Why?”);
• Thoughtful and realistic goals and plans, identification of possible challenges, and strategies for assessing outcomes (“What?” / “How?”);
• Evidence of successful identification of, and communication with, any partners and allies necessary to achieve the plan outlined in the proposal. (“Who?” / “Where?”)
• The feasibility of the plan outlined in the proposal given the timeline of the grant program (“When?”);
• The degree to which the proposal demonstrates inclusive values and goals aligned with just communities, such as those identified in the Contemplative Communities Grant Program Description, above.

Timeline & Grant Requirements

• Grant proposals will be accepted through July 1.
• Awards will be made in early August.
• In early September, we will host an online meeting for recipients to connect with each other and introduce their projects.
• Grant-funded activities must begin in the fall semester of 2016 and all grant funds must be used by May 15, 2017. However, activities and projects initiated by the grant may continue indefinitely.
• An interim report will be due January 15th, 2017.
• A final report on all activities and outcomes of the grant-funded project(s) will be due June 15, 2017.

To Apply for a Contemplative Communities Grant

Send a proposal as a .doc, .docx, or .pdf with the following sections to . The complete proposal, including the cover sheet, should be no longer than 6 pages if single-spaced.

1. Cover sheet, listing:
   • Title of proposal;
   • Name of institution;
   • Names of all proposal authors (please identify lead author) with titles, full contact information, and ACMHE membership status; and
   • Name of office or department to which grant funds would be awarded.
2. State project intentions and rationale. Please address any relevant points listed in the Contemplative Communities Grant Program Description (found above).
3. Identify your planned project partners, allies, and/or collaborators, specifying whether they are existing allies or have yet to be contacted.
4. Provide project details: your plans, goals, and timeline.
5. Describe any potential challenges and obstacles to achieving project objectives. What additional preparation might be necessary?
6. Describe strategies for evaluating the outcomes of the project: how will you be able to assess and report on progress towards your stated goals?
7. Provide a detailed budget. Awards may not be used toward salaries or general overhead for departments, offices, or centers.

Submission Due Date

All materials must be submitted a .doc, .docx, or .pdf to  by midnight PDT on Friday, July 1, 2016.

Proposal Submission FAQ

Can a proposal have multiple authors/collaborators? Yes, but regardless of the size of your team, you will always need to identify just one lead author to be the contact person for the grant.

Can I submit a proposal in partnership with people from multiple institutions? Yes, as long as all proposal authors meet the eligibility requirements.

To whom will the grant be paid? The funds will be paid to the office or department specified in the proposal.

Can I submit a proposal in partnership with people who are working outside academia? Your proposal can include work outside academia and partnerships with non-academics, but all proposal authors, including the Lead Author, must have some formal connection to an accredited college or university. Part-time, full-time, and adjunct positions are equally eligible.

Can I submit a proposal if I have previously received a grant from the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society? Yes.

Are these grants intended to support the formation of new groups? Can they be used to enhance existing projects? We are interested in considering proposals from existing and established communities as well as new and emergent ones.

Can I use the grant to pay for my or other staff members’ time and effort towards accomplishing the proposed initiatives? Awards may not be used toward salaries or general overhead for departments, offices, or centers, but may be used to hire consultants. All uses for funding must be clearly explained in the proposal. Examples of suitable uses for funding include but are not limited to: purchasing books and materials; space use, equipment rental, and catering costs for events; guest speakers, retreat/practice leaders, or other consultants; providing childcare, transportation, or other services to support attendance.