Grant Information

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.

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

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

Contact Information

Mental Health Grants

Campus Mental Health Grant- Strategies with Promising Evidence 

  • Funds up to $7,000 will be awarded to public and private 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)

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

  • One campus, public 2-year or 4-year that directly serves college students and meets eligibility requirements, will be awarded the opportunity to be a JED Campus for one year (February 2027-February 2028). The opportunity comes with the following opportunities:
  • Healthy 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 Grant- Professional Development

  • Funds up to $3,000 will be awarded to public and private 2-year and 4-year institutions. Professional development and training will impact student mental health through one of the following goals:

Applications submitted under this opportunity must meet one or more of the following activities/ goals:

  • Support professional development and conference attendance to enhance skills and networking opportunities in higher education mental health.
  • Strengthen the behavioral health workforce on higher education campuses by promoting growth and skill development.
  • Improve student mental health by providing training in mental health awareness, wellness, and skill-building.
  • Expand career development and training opportunities for higher education mental health professionals and students, with priority given to campus counseling and behavioral health centers.

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.

There will be information webinars on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 10-11 a.m. and Monday, July 13, 2026, 1-2 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.

If you have any questions please email Director of Behavioral Health Programs Candace D. Layne at candace.layne@wvhepc.edu.

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