The CUNY Baccalaureate for Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies (CUNY BA) is pleased to announce its Fall 2025 call for proposals for microgrants of up to $3,000. These grants support CUNY BA students in launching youth-led, youth-driven community service projects.
At CUNY BA, you design your own unique academic path; now, we invite you to design a unique service project that applies your academic interests to real-world challenges. We define “service” broadly to encourage you to explore the connection between your academic focus in your Area(s) of Concentration, your distinctive skill sets, and the real-world problems to create positive change. You may consider addressing critical community needs identified by the CUNY University Faculty Senate, such as transportation access (e.g., advocating for free MetroCards), food insecurity, or housing insecurity. Whether it’s direct volunteerism, civic engagement, a skill-based activity, or a social entrepreneurship effort, your project can be as unique as your major.
Priority consideration will be given to project proposals submitted by October 31, 2025. Successful applications will receive microgrants of up to $3,000, which are disbursed directly to the student lead.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
To be eligible, your proposed project must meet the following criteria:
- Youth-Led, Youth-Driven: The primary project lead must be a CUNY BA student between the ages of 18 and 25. Students over 25 are eligible to participate as team members but cannot be the primary grant recipient.
- Community-Oriented: The project responds to a community need and benefits people by enhancing connections and relationships. Launching a new program is not a requirement; existing initiatives are also eligible.
- Open to All: All initiatives funded by this grant must be open to all, including both CUNY and non-CUNY individuals, regardless of their demographics, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, or disability.
As a condition of receiving funding, successful applicants will agree to:
- Spend all funds and submit copies of all receipts for expenditures by May 1, 2026.
- Submit a final grant report by May 15, 2026, outlining the use of funds, a summary of the project, documentation of the project (e.g., a journal, social media posts, photos, videos), and a write-up on the project’s outcomes and impact.
- To participate in one of the virtual focus groups coordinated by the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity (CELO) on behalf of The Allstate Foundation (Dates: October 3, 2025; February 6, 2026; or April 17, 2026).
- Participate in a mandatory media training session with The Allstate Foundation and CELO (Date TBA) and obtain prior approval before releasing any media content that mentions The Allstate Foundation, including social media posts, website updates, press releases, and student-authored articles, to ensure alignment with grant guidelines and messaging.
- Be willing to contribute to media and dissemination efforts to amplify stories of youth and CUNY BA student projects.
INELIGIBLE USES OF FUNDS:
Funds from this grant may NOT BE USED for:
- Alternative break/immersion service trips.
- “Re-gifting” funds directly to a charity or cause, or using funding to purchase resources for a charity or cause.
- Support for political campaigns, candidates, parties, or political issues.
Submission Deadline: October 31, 2025, 11:59 PM EST
Submission Instructions:
Use the “Designing your CUNY BA Service Project” worksheet to brainstorm your idea, read about sample projects, and create a budget for your project.
To apply, submit a comprehensive proposal on Qualtrics that describes your project and estimated expense, which includes the following:
- Project Proposal:
- Applicant(s) Info: Your name, home campus, Area(s) of Concentration, and expected graduation year.
- Project Title: A concise and descriptive title for your initiative.
- Project Summary (250 words max): Briefly describe your proposed youth-led, youth-driven community service project.
- Community Need Statement and Anticipated Impact (100 words max): Clearly articulate the community need or issue your project aims to address and the anticipated number of participants involved, as well as the expected changes or benefits your project will bring to the community and to the youth involved.
- Goals and Proposed Activities (100 words max): Detail the specific activities you will undertake to achieve your project goals. Explain how these activities are youth-led, youth-driven, and community-oriented.
- Timeline: Provide an estimated, feasible timeline for your project activities. All funds must be spent by May 1, 2026.
- Proposed Budget:
- Provide a budget outlining how the microgrant funds will be utilized to support your initiative. Be specific about anticipated expenses. See the sample Project Budget & Expense in the worksheet.
Application Link: https://gccuny.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5jvzY1rSN34D4Y6
Priority deadline: October 31, 2025, 11:59 PM EST
The selected projects for the Fall 2025 cycle will be announced by November 15, 2025.
A second call for proposals for the Spring 2026 cycle will be announced in January 2026.
We look forward to receiving your innovative proposals!
If you have questions or would like to schedule a meeting to brainstorm your projects, contact Student Leadership Development Fellows Hui Peng (hui.peng04@cunyba.cuny.edu) or Justine Lyons (Justine.Lyons85@cunyba.cuny.edu).