Individual Application

• The application will reopen in fall 2026.

Application Outline

The application outline below lists all the questions you will need to answer and the information you will need to provide in the online application, which is submitted through the Quest Portal.

• Individual Application Outline - UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grant

We recommend you initiate your application in the online application system and complete the project mentor recommendation request form well before your target submission deadline. This will give your project mentor time to complete their section of the application by the submission deadline. For projects that require a letter of support, that request should also be initiated in the online system well ahead of your target submission deadline.

The final question on the application will ask you to certify that you have prepared your application materials in accordance with university standards for academic integrity. Learn more about academic integrity.

Fall 2026 Submission Deadlines:

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026
• Saturday, October 31, 2026

Students are encouraged to apply early. Awards will be made until funding is exhausted. 

More information on the program timeline can be found on the Change Grant program page.

Group Application

• The application will reopen in fall 2026.

Application Outline

The application outline below includes all the questions you and your project partners will need to answer and the information you will need to provide in the online application, which is submitted through the Quest Portal.

• Coming Soon!

We recommend you initiate your application in the online application system and complete the project mentor recommendation request form well before your target submission deadline. This will give project mentors time to complete their section of the application by the submission deadline. For projects that require a letter of support, that request should also be initiated in the online system well ahead of your target submission deadline.

The final question on the application will ask you to certify that you have prepared your application materials in accordance with university standards for academic integrity. Learn more about academic integrity.

Fall 2026 Submission Deadlines:

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026
• Saturday, October 31, 2026

Students are encouraged to apply early. Awards will be made until funding is exhausted. 

More information on the program timeline can be found on the Change Grant program page.

Your proposal should answer three questions:

1. What is the problem?
2. What will you do about it?
3. How will you lead the initiative and use the funding?

What a Change Grant Project Proposal Should Include

Your proposal should explain what your project is and how you will carry it out using the funding.

1. Start with a Project Overview

Begin by giving reviewers a clear picture of your idea. You should explain:

• The problem or issue you want to address
• Who you aim to help (the specific community or population)
• What need is not currently being met
• What questions your project will explore or answer

2. Describe Your Implementation Plan

Most of your proposal should focus on how you will complete the project.

• Provide a step-by-step plan for what you will do
• Show that your plan is realistic and achievable
• Explain how each step leads to your goals
• Clearly describe the impact of your project

Walk reviewers through your plan.

3. Write in First Person and Emphasize Your Role

Use “I” or “we” to show ownership of the project.

• Explain your personal role (and your role within the group project, if applicable)
• Show that the project is student-led
• Describe how you will use the funding directly

Reviewers want to see that you are leading the work—not just proposing an idea.

Applicants are encouraged to have their application materials reviewed prior to applying. Please schedule an appointment with Melissa Berkey to discuss your application materials. Appointments can also be schedule through email at melissa.berkey@uconn.edu.

The Change Grant can provide up to $4,000 total to support your project. As part of your application, you must include a budget that explains how you plan to use the funds.

Budget Resources

You are encouraged to review the resources below to help you organize and estimate your expenses.

• Change Grant Budget Worksheet
• Change Grant Budget Guidance (Coming Soon!)

Outlining Your Project Budget

Think through your project step by step and identify what you’ll need to complete each part.

• List all supplies, materials, and expenses tied to each stage of your project
• Itemize your costs (break them into specific items rather than broad categories)
• Provide realistic estimates

Explain what you need, why you need it, and how much it will cost.

You may include a stipend, but it can be no more than $2,000 total per project.

There are exclusions and restrictions on the use of Change Grant funding. Some expenses are not allowed include:

• Normal student costs (tuition, fees, rent, food, personal expenses)
• Hiring internal or external contractors (no hiring or compensating assistants, contractors, or services)
• Durable equipment (items you keep long-term), including, but not limited to, computers and audio-visual equipment.

Please schedule an appointment with Melissa Berkey to discuss your budget before applying to determine if your intended expenses can be covered with Change Grant funding. Appointments can also be schedule through email at melissa.berkey@uconn.edu.

Project Mentor Recommendation

Applicants are required to have a project mentor from the University community (faculty or professional staff). As part of the application process, project mentors need to complete an online recommendation form and mentorship agreement. It is your responsibility to contact potential mentors to discuss your project proposal and their willingness to complete the recommendation form by your target submission deadline.

Project mentors will be asked to address the following questions in the online recommendation:

• Describe how long and in what context(s) you have known the student(s). For group projects, please address your relationship with each group member.
• Outline your familiarity with the proposed project (research, service initiative, creative endeavor, or social innovation) and its potential impact.
• Provide an assessment of the student’s qualifications and preparedness to carry out the proposed project.
• Describe how the student(s) will benefit from completing this project and/or receiving a Change Grant.
• Identify any aspects of the project that may need further development, or note any reservations you may have.
• Does the project require research approvals? If the project requires research approvals (IRB, IACUC), are you able to support the student(s) in obtaining approvals?

To assist your mentor with completing the recommendation form, you are encouraged to discuss your proposed project, share your interests in and motivations for pursuing the project, and talk about what you've done to prepare to successfully engage in project work. You are encouraged to show application drafts to your mentor for feedback.

Our Information Sheet for Project Mentors (coming soon) gives you the information you will need to provide your mentor after they agree to complete the recommendation form and mentorship agreement.

You will initiate the recommendation request via the online application system (quest.uconn.edu) by entering your mentor's name and email address. The online system will send your mentor an email with instructions for completing the online recommendation form and mentorship agreement.

Complete applications, including the online recommendation form from the project mentor, must be submitted by the submission deadlines in order to be considered for review.

Fall 2026 Submission Deadlines:

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026
• Saturday, October 31, 2026

*Students are encouraged to apply early. Awards will be made until funding is exhausted. 

We recommend you start your application in the online system and request the recommendation well before the application deadline to give your mentor enough time to complete the recommendation form and mentorship agreement by your target submission deadline.

Letters of Support from Partner Organizations

For projects that involve collaboration with an organization outside of UConn, a letter of support is required. This letter should confirm that the organization has discussed the project with the student(s) and agrees to collaborate.

You will request letters of support via the online application system by providing the first and last name and email address of your organization contact. Your contact will receive an email from the application system with a link to the site where the letter can be uploaded.

Alternately, letters of support can be submitted via email to Melissa Berkey at melissa.berkey@uconn.edu.

Complete applications, which may include a letter of support, must be submitted by the submission deadlines below in order to be considered for review.

Fall 2026 Submission Deadlines:

• Wednesday, September 30, 2026
• Saturday, October 31, 2026

Criteria for Review and Selection

All projects are reviewed based on the following criteria:

• The proposed service initiative, social innovation project, applied research project, or creative project encompasses the core values of social impact, public engagement, and innovation
• The applicant demonstrates an understanding of the problem, issue, or need that the project addresses and the potential of their proposed project to make a positive impact on that problem, issue, or need
• A realistic and feasible plan for carrying out the proposed project is clearly articulated
• The direct impact and significance of the proposed work is articulated in compelling, but realistic, terms
• Project has strong and clearly articulated public engagement and/or direct impact component
• The project is a new initiative, or an expansion or enhancement of an existing initiative
• The applicant has/applicants have the necessary background knowledge and/or experience to successfully execute the project
• There is a clear connection between the project work and the applicants' academic, professional, or personal goals and aspirations
• The budget is feasible and demonstrates understanding of the necessary expenses associated with the proposed work

The Change Grant review committee uses the UConn Co-op Legacy Fellowship - Change Grant Scoring Rubric (Coming Soon) to assess proposed projects. Applicants are encouraged to review the rubric as they draft and revise their application materials to ensure that they meet the criteria associated with strong proposals.