Learn More Community Grants provide between $1,000 – $3,000 in funding to students, staff, and faculty who wish to take a deeper dive into the year’s Learn More Series theme, either by hosting programs and events open to the campus community or by organizing smaller learning communities, such as book clubs or study groups. 

Grantees will be required to submit a final report at the end of the grant period, including a general summary of the spending of their grant funds. They should also be prepared to engage with the BU Diversity & Inclusion office to publicize their projects, programs, or group learning during the grant period or after it has concluded. Grantees will be invited to participate in the Grants Celebration in April 2026. 

Questions about this grant can be directed to odi@bu.edu.

Who can apply? 

  • Schools/Colleges 
  • Academic or administrative departments and teams 
  • Formal or informal groups comprised of students, staff, and/or faculty 
  • An individual student, staff, or faculty member 

What are the criteria? 

Community Grant proposals could include (but are not limited to): workshops, symposia, reading groups, panel discussions, reparative actions, collaboration with a community-based organization, or any modality of programming you believe is compelling, meaningful, and impactful. 

Applicants will be asked to provide the following information: 

  • Describe how your proposed program or activity connects with the 2025-26 Learn More Series theme, The Future of Higher Education, and BU Diversity & Inclusion’s Vision & Values. 
  • Describe the proposed program including goals, audience, collaborators, activities, intended impact, and timeframe 
  • Attach a proposed budget that provides an estimate of costs by type of expense and estimated amount. Please note that grant funds may not be used to pay or provide stipends to Boston University faculty or staff members. Payment to students (undergraduate or graduate) is permissible. Other funding sources or requested funding sources should be reported. 

For proposals to host programs or events open to the campus community, preference will be given to programs that:  

  • Engage a wide audience of BU community members  
  • Indicate collaboration across departments, organizations, units, schools/colleges  

For proposals to organize small learning communities, preference will be given to projects that:  

  • Engage participants in active, co-created learning/unlearning  
  • Outline a clear plan for consistent participation  

    2025-2026 Learn More Community Grant application cycle 

    Fall 2025

    January 9, 2025 Applications open
    March 28, 2025 Applications close
    Week of May 12, 2025 Decision letters sent
    September 2025 Grant cycle begins
    April 2026 Grants celebration
    May 1, 2026 Grant cycle ends; final reports due

    Application Submission

    The application is a Microsoft Form. If prompted by Microsoft to sign in, please use your BU credentials to access the application form.

    Please join BU D&I for a Learn More information session:

    Learn More Grants Information Session February 18, 2025 | 2:00-2:45pm Register
    Learn More Grants Information Session February 21, 2025 | 12:00-12:45pm Register
    Learn More Grants Information Session March 17, 2025 | 3:00-3:45pm Register

    Grants Celebration

    We welcome you to celebrate the work and research of our BU Diversity & Inclusion grant recipients. Our grant recipients are invited to present their work in a poster gallery to showcase it to the community. Explore their work here.