Grant Opportunities

Division of Student Affairs Grants

First-Generation Student Success Grant

  • West Virginia public two-and four-year colleges and universities, or research corporations thereof, may apply for First-Generation Student Success Grants to sponsor comprehensive projects which must meaningfully encompass each of the following categories:
    •  Implementation of extraordinary campus-based programmatic initiatives, events, services, or supports designed to address the unique needs of First-Generation college students and bridge gaps in resources, thereby promoting positive educational outcomes for First-Generation college students;
    • Implementation of events, initiatives, or services committed to supporting recruitment and/or retention of First-Generation students on college campuses within West Virginia;
    • Development or enhancement of research, evaluation, assessment and data collection strategies and practices for the purpose of improving institutional First-Generation initiatives and/or increasing institutional buy-in.
  • Application deadline for FY26 has passed; Check back in Spring 2026 for FY27 RFP information

First Year Campus Engagement Grant

West Virginia public two-and four-year colleges and universities, or research corporations thereof, may apply for First Year Campus Engagement Grants to sponsor comprehensive projects which aim to ease the transition to university life and foster a sense of belonging for students new to the institution.  These programs often combine academic support with social and personal development opportunities.  Key components may include orientation programs, first year seminars, mentoring, and opportunities to connect with the broader campus community.  The targeted outcomes of this First Year Campus Engagement program should include increased student retention, improved academic performance, enhanced sense of belonging, greater student success, and positive impact on student well-being.

West Virginia public two-and four-year colleges and universities, or research corporations thereof, may apply for First Year Campus Engagement Grants to sponsor comprehensive projects which must meaningfully encompass each of the following categories:

  • Implementation of extraordinary campus-based initiatives, events, services, or supports designed to address the unique challenges that students, new to your institution, face upon their first year of enrollment;
  • Implementation of events, initiatives, or services committed to supporting student engagement and involvement across the campus community;
  • Implementation of events, initiatives, or services aimed at increasing academic achievement and retention for first year students;
  • Development or enhancement of research, evaluation, assessment and data collection strategies and practices for the purpose of measuring outcomes for first year students who participated in grant programming.
  • Maximum single award amount: $25,000
  • Application deadline has passed
  • View details on RFP
  • Required budget sheet to be included with proposal submission

Division of Health Sciences

Maternal Mental Health Grant- Round 2

Applications and agreements submitted under this opportunity will meet the following goals: 

  • Increase knowledge of health science and medical students on the topic of perinatal/maternal mental health.
  • Create and expand curriculum to increase student skills in the delivery of health services to the pregnant and postpartum population and better understand the behavioral health of the pregnant, postpartum, perinatal population.
  • Provide internship stipends to incentivize student placements in maternal health, wellness, and mental health field experiences.
  • Offer training required for students to qualify for the Perinatal Mental Health Certification available through Postpartum Support International (or an equivalent nationally recognized certification) to increase the marketability of graduates and help fill critical shortages in West Virginia.
  • Offer guest lectures from Postpartum Support International-West Virginia Chapter within current courses. Guest lectures have already been developed, and health science health programs can identify specific lectures to include in academic programming. The Commission will provide information and connect with the PSI- WV Chapter.
  • View Details on the RFA
  • Application deadline: Tuesday, September 30, 2025, by 5:00 p.m.

If you have any questions please contact Candace Layne, Behavioral Health Program Specialist at candace.layne@wvhepc.edu

Campus Mental Health Grants 2025-2026

Campus Mental Health Grants- Strategies with Proven Effectiveness- JED Campus (1 award available)

  • One campus, public 2-year or 4-year that directly serves college students and that meets eligibility requirements, will be awarded the opportunity to be a JED Campus for one year (February 2026-February 2027). The opportunity comes with the following opportunities:
  • Health Minds survey for the entire campus and reporting provided by the JED Foundation
  • Creation of a mental health team on campus
  • Mental health consultation for one year from the JED Foundation.
  • Training and Continuing Education
  • Five-year strategic plan

Campus Mental Health Grants- Strategies with Promising Evidence (4 awards available)

  • Funds up to $7,500 will be awarded to public 2-year or 4-year institutions or campus or community-based organizations that directly serve college students and that meet the eligibility requirements. Projects will impact student mental health through one of the following strategies:
    • Peer support programming
    • Programs or environments that foster student belonging
    • Integration of mental health content into courses
    • Increase mentoring opportunities
    • Implementing skill-training interventions
    • Implementing routine mental health screenings
    • Implementing campus mental health programming and activities
    • Implement post-mental health crisis intervention (postvention)

 All applications will be evaluated according to criteria set in the Request for Applications and the overall proven effectiveness of training and programming presented in the application.

Campus Mental Health Grants- Statewide Suicide Prevention Special Project Grant (1 award available)

  • This special project grant opportunity is intended to provide funding to support a statewide or regional West Virginia higher education suicide prevention conference or ongoing educational series for college faculty and staff from multiple institutions following best practices for suicide prevention in higher education.
  • 1 award of $12,500 open to public 2- and 4-year colleges and universities

We will host informational webinars on September 15, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. and September 16, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Calendar invites will be sent out for the webinars. The webinars will be recorded and will be posted to the grant’s webpage.

The deadline for all Campus Mental Health Grants is Tuesday, September 30, 2025

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to Candace D. Layne, Director of Behavioral Health Programs at candace.layne@wvhepc.edu or 304-558-0530 ext. 5