GWupstart, GW's central hub for social innovation, offers approximately $75,000 in annual funding along with mentorship and support for students. The program aims to nurture projects that create meaningful and sustainable impact in communities.
Multiple funding opportunities are available with upcoming deadlines. Register for workshops in October to learn about social innovation, design thinking, storytelling, and project proposals.
GWupstart defines social innovation as creative approaches to addressing social problems. The program supports projects that strive to be ethical, creative, systematic, sustainable, and created in reciprocal partnerships with community organizations.
Funding opportunities for the 2024-25 academic year include:
- Public Service Grant Commission (PSGC):
- PSGC I (Fall 2024): September 8, 2024
- PSGC II (Fall 2024): November 3, 2024
- PSGC III (Spring 2025): February 7, 2025
- PSGC IV (Spring 2025): March 7, 2025
- Clinton Global Initiative Entrepreneurship Program: Deadline TBD
- Eco-Equity Challenge: November 3, 2024
- Projects for Peace: November 3, 2024
- Knapp Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Service-Learning: May 23, 2025
- Julian Clement Chase Prize for Community Impact: May 24, 2025
Upcoming workshops in October:
- October 2, 4-5pm: Social Innovation â How to Start?
- October 8, 4-5pm: Social Innovation â Thinking and Design Thinking
- October 16, 4-5pm: Social Innovation - Storytelling and Social Media
- October 22, 4-5pm: Social Innovation â Project Proposals
All workshops are open to graduate and undergraduate students.
For more information or to apply, visit the GWupstart page on the GW Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service website. If you have questions, contact upstart@gwu.edu.
