Open Grant Opportunities

Division of Student Affairs

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.

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 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: Friday, July 10, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST
• View details on RFP
• Required budget sheet to be included with proposal submission

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:

1. Implementation of extraordinary campus-based 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;

2. Implementation of events, initiatives, or services committed to supporting recruitment and/or retention of First-Generation students on college campuses within West Virginia;

3. 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.

• Maximum single award amount: $25,000
• Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026, by 5:00 p.m.
• View details on RFP
• Required budget sheet to be included with proposal submission
• Contact: Autumn Perry, autumn.perry@wvhepc.edu

Division of Health Sciences

West Virginia Nursing Academy – Request for Applications 2026

Application Deadline: Friday, July 10, 2026, by 5:00 PM EST

Goal
Support programs that inspire middle and high school students to pursue nursing careers by providing early exposure, career pathways, and academic preparation, especially in rural communities.

Funding

• Up to $2,500 per award
• Approximately 10 awards available
• Eligible applicants: hospitals, WV schools of nursing, or partner organizations
• Priority for rural programs or those serving rural students. Applicants can identify if their program location is rural and identify which areas of the state are rural by viewing a map.
• View details of the RFA

Deadline for Submission
All application materials must be submitted within the grant portal by midnight on May 4, 2026.

Contact Information

• Jordyn Reed, Director of Health Science Education Programs and Outreach — jordyn.reed@wvhepc.edu

Maternal Mental Health Grant – Round 3

Applications and agreements submitted under this opportunity will meet at least one of the following goals: 

• Create and expand curriculum to increase student skills in delivery of behavioral health and addiction services to the pregnant and postpartum population.
• Provide practicum and internship stipends to incentivize student placements in maternal 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 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 behavioral health/addiction studies 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.

Deadline for submission

Applications must be submitted no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, and will be reviewed as applications are submitted. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.

Information webinars will be held on December 11 at 2 p.m. and Friday, December 12, 10-11 a.m.

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

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