Grants for Social Impact Experiential Learning
As of this writing, the Office of Experiential Learning (OEL) is in the process of giving out grants for Social Impact Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs) and non-credit IAP activities.
The Social Impact ELO RFP, which closed in early October, was open to all faculty and staff hoping to create opportunities for undergraduate students with an explicit social or environmental focus. For the 2023-2024 funding cycle, OEL received 17 requests totaling $1,160,446. The review committee, composed of staff, faculty, and an undergraduate student, awarded just under $600,000 to fully or partially fund 12 proposals. These 12 grants will enable the creation of up to 187 new opportunities for undergraduate students during IAP, spring, and summer 2024. The successful proposals, which included everything from researching the scope of special interest funding in U.S. politics to interning with non-profits around the globe working to fight displacement and evictions, spanned a variety of experience types, topics, and locations. The IAP Mini-Grant RFP, which closed on October 10, has moved on to the review committee phase. MIT community members submitted more than 80 unique proposals, with most coming from undergraduate and graduate students. In partnership with the Morningside Academy for Design and Climate Nucleus, OEL hopes to award small grants (typically $500-1,000) to fund as many compelling IAP activities as possible. Funds will be awarded by the end of October, and many of the grants will support workshops open to MIT community members, so keep an eye on the Events Calendar if you hope to try something new this IAP! OVC staff are also welcome to offer non-credit activities and events during IAP. Learn more about offering and participating in IAP activities on the OEL website.
— Kate Weishaar, OEL