Overview
In 2026, the Educating Character Initiative (ECI) will award grants to U.S. colleges and universities that are committed to developing the moral, civic, and intellectual character of their faculty, staff, and students.
We anticipate awarding:
- Institutional Impact Grants between $100,000 and $1,000,000
- Capacity-Building Grants of up to $50,000
These grants provide institutions with the time, resources, and freedom to determine the character education that works best in their context.
Priority will be given to applications that show:
- Strong institutional support
- Alignment with mission, vision, and values
- Potential for broad, lasting impact across the institution
- Commitment to preparing students for life beyond the classroom
- Willingness to share knowledge and resources with the broader community of character
ECI will also provide context-specific support from Wake Forest staff, fellows, and consultants.
Read a PDF of the complete Request for Proposals, including additional details, linked below:
Read the full Invitation to Community and 2026 RFP
Grant Opportunities
1. Institutional Impact Grants
- Funding range: $100,000 – $1,000,000
- Duration: Three years
- Purpose: Support substantial and sustained efforts to integrate character into undergraduate education, either within a single institution or across multiple institutions.
These grants are well-suited for institutions that:
- Have an established framework and the infrastructure to support a significant effort in character education
- Have faculty/staff expertise to lead a major initiative
- Are well-positioned to advance the field through the contribution of practical resources that can be adapted for use by other institutions and practitioners across the landscape of higher education
Applications are welcome from:
- Two- and four-year U.S. colleges and universities
- Cross-institutional networks (funds must be based at one institution but can be shared)
Key Dates
- Grant Portal opens: Jan. 12, 2026
- Letters of Inquiry due: February 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
- Final proposals from invited institutions due: June 1, 2026
- Decisions announced: July 1, 2026
- Grant start date: August 1, 2026
2. Capacity-Building Grants
- Funding range: Up to $50,000
- Purpose: Provide institutions with resources to strengthen their capacity to embed character into curricula and culture.
These grants are designed for institutions that:
- Are exploring character education for the first time
- Want to pilot smaller projects
- May be preparing for larger funding opportunities in the future
Applications are welcome from:
- Two- and four-year colleges and universities
- Cross-institutional networks (funds must be based at one institution but can be shared)
Key Dates:
- Grant Portal opens: Feb. 27, 2026
- Applications due: March 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET
- Decisions announced: May 11, 2026
- Grant start date: July 1, 2026
Information Sessions
The ECI will host online information sessions to help applicants understand the opportunities available.
- General Grants Info Session I — October 28, 2025, 12–1 p.m. ET
- General Grants Info Session II — November 13, 2025, 12–1 p.m. ET
- Institutional Impact Grants Info Session — December 12, 2025, 12–1 p.m. ET
- Capacity-Building Grants Info Session — January 8, 2026, 12–1 p.m. ET
Deadlines at a Glance
How to Apply
- Applications are submitted through the ECI Grant Portal (opens Jan. 12, 2026, for Institutional Impact Grants; Feb 27, 2026, for Capacity-Building Grants).
- Project leaders must hold (or be contracted to) a long-term faculty or staff position at an accredited U.S. college or university.
Contact
Please direct any questions to ECI@wfu.edu. Our staff is committed to learning from, with, and for the ECI Community — including those of you who are applying for grants. We want to partner with you in a shared effort and movement to educate character in colleges and universities.