Culture, Community, and Engagement Fund 

The Culture, Community, and Engagement (CCE) Fund supports initiatives and events that:

• Strengthen community among Harvard Griffin GSAS students
• Foster cultural exchange
• Promote leadership and professional development

Grants of $100–$2,000 are available for eligible initiatives that are open and accessible to all Harvard Griffin GSAS students.

Applicants must apply under one of the following funding tracks:

Track 1: Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Groups

This track is for recognized Harvard Griffin GSAS student groups. Student groups at Harvard Griffin GSAS are organized around a topic, affiliation, or activity.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be a recognized Harvard Griffin GSAS student group.
• Submit no more than one application per group, or collaborative team, per funding cycle.
• Designate one GSAS student group as the primary applicant for collaborative proposals.
• Propose an initiative focused primarily on one or more of the following:
  • cultural gathering or celebration
  • community building or engagement
  • leadership or professional development.
• Ensure that the initiative is open and accessible to the Harvard Griffin GSAS student community.

Collaborative proposals from multiple Harvard Griffin GSAS student groups are encouraged.

Apply for Track 1 (Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Groups)

Track 2: Departmental Groups

This track is for departmental student groups that are proposing an initiative for the benefit of Harvard Griffin GSAS students.

Eligible applicants must:

• be an eligible Harvard departmental student group that includes Harvard Griffin GSAS students
• Identify a current Harvard faculty or staff member with an ongoing Harvard appointment who will serve as the institutional contact for the proposed initiative. The contact must use an official Harvard email address and may not be a student, alum, vendor, or external partner. This individual should be aware of and support the initiative. If funded, the contact may be asked to verify that the event occurred as proposed.
• Demonstrate a clear benefit to Harvard Griffin GSAS students.
• Propose an initiative focused primarily on one or more of the following:
  • Cultural gathering or celebration
  • Community building or engagement
  • Leadership or professional development 
• Ensure that the initiative is open and accessible to Harvard Griffin GSAS students.
• Explain how Harvard Griffin GSAS students will be invited, included, or meaningfully engaged.

If the initiative is primarily designed for a broader Harvard audience, the application should explain the specific role and benefit to Harvard Griffin GSAS students. Please note that we will not fund existing programs such as graduate program retreats. 

Apply for Track 2 (Departmental Groups)

Shared Eligibility Requirements

All applicants, regardless of funding track, must:

• Submit an itemized budget and budget narrative.
• Propose an event or initiative that has not yet taken place.
• Ensure that the event is accessible to Harvard Griffin GSAS students, including consideration of physical access, dietary needs, and virtual participation where appropriate.
• Disclose any additional funding received or requested from other sources.
• Comply with all CCE Fund and University policies.

Funding Cycles & Event Dates

Your event date(s) must fall within the date range for the cycle selected. Applications will only be considered for future events and should be submitted at least two weeks before the proposed event date.

• Fall 2026: Events held between October 9, 2026 and December 4, 2026
• Spring 2027: Events held between February 19, 2027 and April 23, 2027
• Summer 2027: Events held between June 4, 2027 and August 20, 2027

Events may not be scheduled during University recesses, University holidays, Commencement, or other major University events. Applicants are responsible for confirming that their proposed event date does not conflict with major academic or University-wide programming.

Application Deadlines

• Fall 2026: Deadline extended to September 25, 2026, by 12:00 p.m. ET

• Spring 2027: Deadline extended to February 5, 2027, by 12:00 p.m. ET
• Summer 2027: Deadline extended to April 9, 2027, by 12:00 p.m. ET

Grant Amounts

Applicants may request funding within the following ranges, based on expected scale and impact:

• $100–$499: Small-scale initiatives (approximately 10–25 attendees)
• $500–$999: Medium-scale initiatives (approximately 30–50 attendees)
• $1,000–$2,000: Larger initiatives with broad campus impact or significant educational/cultural programming (50+ attendees).

Allowable & Non‑Allowable Expenses

All applicants will be asked to submit an itemized budget and budget narrative. Please note the following:

Allowed expenses may include:

• food and non-alcoholic beverages
• publicity and outreach
• speaker/facilitator honoraria
• facilities and A/V needs
• event supplies and materials. 

The following expenses are not allowed:

• alcohol
• personal stipends
• off-campus events
• travel
• items not directly related to the event.

If you are receiving or seeking additional funding from other sources, you must disclose this in your application.

Publicity, Branding, and Reporting

If funded, awardees agree to:

• Acknowledge the Culture, Community, and Engagement Fund and Harvard Griffin GSAS as a sponsor on event materials and publicity.
• Use official logos and wording provided by the CCE Office, following branding guidelines.
• Post the event on the Harvard Griffin GSAS Engage website and follow approved University publicity channels.

A post-event report is required within two weeks of the event and must include:

• attendance and overview of the event
• reflection on how the event advanced community, cultural exchange, or leadership/professional development among Harvard Griffin GSAS students
• photos (where possible)
• itemized expenses.

Unspent or unused funds must be returned to the CCE Fund, and failure to submit the post‑event report may affect future funding eligibility.

By proceeding to the application, you will be asked to:

• confirm that you have read and understood all eligibility requirements, funding guidelines, and reporting expectations (Q1)
• certify that all information you provide is accurate and that you agree to comply with CCE Fund and university policies.

For questions or clarification at any point, please contact the Office of Culture, Community, and Engagement.