The Dr. Bill Wilson Student Initiative Grant supports innovative student projects that will improve undergraduate life at Rice.  This annual award provides seed money for student-initiated projects or starting a new student enterprise or organization.  Grants may be awarded to creatively enhance or augment existing initiatives in meaningful ways (not including simple expansion).  Salaries and travel expenses will not be covered by this grant.

Applicants are normally undergraduate students but other applicants will be considered if the project enhances undergraduate student life.

Proposals are encouraged to be creative and must include:

• a clear description of the proposed project and applicant’s role in it
• how this project will benefit and improve student life on campus
• what student organization(s) or groups will be directly affected
• a specific grant amount must be requested
• a proposed total budget for the project (no salaries or travel); include a justification for items (i.e. no other funding available, matching funds are available for the remaining items, reasons for selecting specific versions rather than another one that is more or less expensive, etc.)
• a list of other sources of funds for this project
• a date or range of dates in which the project will be completed
• future maintenance and storage considerations if property is purchased

Please note: The grant is not intended to provide funds for ongoing or established events or organizations. This is not an “infrastructure” fund. New initiatives or events will be considered by established organizations but preference will be given to new and innovative projects that have the potential to benefit Rice’s undergraduate population.

Deadline for submissions (without exception): Monday, February 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

Submit proposal via email to wiess@rice.edu.