2025/2026 JCCP Student Innovation Fund
Each year over 400 Wesleyan students engage in programs sponsored by the Jewett Center for Community Partnerships (JCCP). This work spans our four focus areas: education and youth, re-imagining justice, sustainability, and the arts. These student efforts are representative of our commitment to co-creating mutually respectful partnerships in pursuit of a just, equitable, and sustainable future for communities on campus and beyond—nearby and around the world.
The JCCP continues to support this ongoing work while also encouraging student innovation in an effort to deepen our contributions to the greater Middletown community. The Student Innovation Fund provides resources to encourage collaboration and creativity among students and community partners to collectively engage with pressing challenges in today's world.
About the Student Innovation Fund
The JCCP offers the Student Innovation Fund to empower students to develop bold, creative, and forward-thinking projects that drive meaningful change related to civic engagement and community partnerships in and around Middletown. In collaboration with community partners, students are encouraged to build upon existing efforts in the local community. The fund supports student-led and community partnered initiatives that challenge conventional approaches, embrace innovation, and address pressing social/civic issues in dynamic and transformative ways. With grants of up to $1,000, students have the opportunity to make tangible contributions to the greater Middletown community. Whether through arts, policy, grassroots organizing, or other avenues, this fund encourages students to think outside the box and practice innovative approaches to civic engagement.
We are excited to welcome applications for the Student Innovation Fund's Spring 2026 Cycle through December 14, 2025 (11:59pm).
Project focus areas
Wesleyan undergraduate students can be apply for up to $1,000 for spring projects that support at least one of the following categories in the greater Middletown community:
- Enhance collaboration: Strengthen partnerships between student groups/faculty/staff and community partners
- Investigate impact: Assess the impact of civic engagement efforts
- Share knowledge: Disseminate ideas and learnings in civic engagement
See examples of previously funded projects at our Engage Blog!
Eligibility
- The fund is open to all current Wesleyan University undergraduate students who are interested in developing innovative projects that promote civic engagement and social change.
- All projects must meaningfully involve a designated community partner.
- Individuals or teams can apply. Collaboration with student groups, faculty, staff, or community organizations is strongly encouraged.
- Applicants who have not previously been awarded the fund will be prioritized, however people/groups who have been previously awarded may apply again.
Process & timeline
We have two application cycles per calendar year. Grantees who apply and are awarded during the fall semester will implement their projects over the following spring semester. Grantees who apply and are awarded during the spring semester will implement their projects over the following fall semester. JCCP staff will provide support in brainstorming, connecting recipients with partners, and promotion.
- Application Submission
Complete the application form and submit a detailed budget.
- Deadline for Spring 2026 projects: December 14 at 11:59 pm
- Review Process
Applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of JCCP staff, campus partners, and community partners.
- Committee Review for Spring 2026 projects: December 15 – January 9th
- Grant Award Notifications
- Spring 2026 SIF Recipients Announced: January 16th
- Implementation
- Fall Applicants: Projects begin in the following spring semester.
- Spring Applicants: Projects begin in the following fall semester.
Please note that grant recipients will be required to attend an orientation session at the beginning of the semester their project will be implemented. This includes being oriented to the Cardinal Community Commitment.
JCCP staff members will be available to support students through the implementation of their projects.
- Reporting & Presentations
After the conclusion of their project, all grant recipients are required to submit a final report for the ENGAGE blog and participate in a panel to share their experience, learning, and outcomes. Awardees may additionally be invited to present at civic engagement panels and other related events.
- Spring 2026 SIF Recipients Final Report Due: May 1, 2026
Budgeting and expenses
Student Innovation Fund grants, which are capped at $1,000 per project, provide funding to help alleviate costs in the following areas:
- Transportation expenses: Train Tickets, Bus Fare/Tickets, Subway/Metro Fare, Mileage (70 cents per mile)
- Materials & supplies (i.e. notebooks, books, pens)
- Honorarium that compensates community partners for their involvement in a project via workshop facilitation, speaking engagements, etc.
- Technology needs
- Rental fees
- Food/catering (if related to project execution)
Student Innovation Fund grants may not be used for any of the following:
- Stipends or salaries for work performed (payment/wages to applicant)
- Housing
- Personal or other discretionary expenses deemed non-essential or unrelated to the project
- Tuition, scholarships, or travel unrelated to civic engagement (including tuition at Wesleyan University)
- Purchasing or leasing a vehicle
- Equipment that will be retained by student or host organization (i.e. cameras, lighting equipment, laptops, etc.)
All applicants are required to submit a budget sheet, detailing the funding request. The budget should clearly outline how the requested funds will be spent. All items included in your budget must be directly related to your proposal. Based on the information you provide and available funds, an amount may be awarded to you equal to or less than your request. You can refer to the budget sheet template here.
Additional Student Innovation Fund requirements
Award recipients are required to:
- Be familiar with the Cardinal Community Commitment and will be invited to related trainings.
- Submit a final report detailing their project outcomes, including a minimum of three photos, and any other media about your project experience, learning, and results (videos, testimonials, etc.). These may be displayed publicly on the ENGAGE blog. You can read more about the final report guidelines here.
- Share their experience at select events. Grantees are expected to participate in a panel about their project, and may be additionally invited to participate in civic engagement panels, and/or other JCCP events.
How to access the JCCP Student Innovation Fund application
Link to application: https://wesleyanuniversity.submittable.com/submit/143d2c4e-c9d1-4dd4-91a5-1b106ad7dc71/jccp-student-innovation-fund-winter-spring-2026
The application is hosted on Submittable, a social impact platform being used by Wesleyan's Gordon Career Center. Please follow the directions below to begin.
- Create a free Submittable account or sign in
- You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the application at a later date.
- If anything changes with the information you submitted, please request to edit the submission. Edits can only be made prior to the deadline.
- We will follow-up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure to safelist notification emails from Submittable and check the email you used to sign up for your Submittable account regularly. Check out the Submitter Resource Center or reach out to Submittable's customer support team with any technical questions here.
Ready to apply?
You may save your progress by clicking "Save Draft" at the end of the application. Once you are ready to submit your application, please click "Submit Form." The final submission deadline is December 14. Applications will be reviewed by January 9. Decisions will be announced by January 16. Failure to meet application or program requirements will result in your application being withdrawn. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Need additional information?
Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
If you need additional information or want to further workshop your ideas, please contact Sonya Hadley at shadley@wesleyan.edu.
