GWupstart - Social Innovation at GW

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GWupstart is GW's central hub for social innovation training, mentoring, and funding. It builds on GW’s strength as an institution that fosters the next generation of citizen leaders. Approximately $75,000 in funding is available every year. In addition, we provide mentorship and support to students to turn their ideas into practical action that makes a measurable, sustained difference.

We funded 28 Projects this year, both individual and group projects and had 66 students in total across the various projects as our GWupstart Grantees.

The projects must be aimed at solving an issue, need gap or disadvantage in the community beyond GW through innovative social solutions. Projects designed to impact only GW students or limited within the GW Campus are not eligible. They must be beneficial to the community in some way beyond just the GW student body.

Projects must take place in the DC Metropolitan area for PSGC, Eco-Equity, Nashman Center MicroGrants, and the Julian Clement Chase Prize.

The Nashman Center defines social innovation as creative approaches to addressing social problems. Our goal is to support and nurture projects that facilitate meaningful and sustainable impact to create more inclusive and equitable communities. All projects supported by GWupstart strive to be ethical, creative, systematic, sustainable, and created in reciprocal partnerships with community organizations and the community members who will be affected by the project.

You're at the right place if this is you:

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How Does it Work?

Step 1: Have a project idea, social issue or a community need off-campus you want to address.

Step 2: Set up a meeting by sending an email to upstartgwu [dot] edu (upstart[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Step 3: Submit the project proposal for your selected grants/fellowships by the deadline. APPLY HERE!

Step 4: If approved, implement the project by working closely with the Nashman Center, community partners and faculty advisors.

How Can GWupstart Help You Start?

Submit an application for the different grants using the link below. We are always here to answer any questions you have or if you want feedback on your project.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING!
 

WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO?

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Check out the GWupstart 2024-25 Update Report!

Social Innovation Previous Projects Showcase

Check out these amazing final project presentations from our GWupstart Social Innovators!

2025 GWupstart Social Innovation Showcase

2024 GWupstart Social Innovation Showcase

List of 2024-25 GWupstart Grantees

What Makes a Good Application?

Don't treat your project proposals like class assignments. There are no extra credits for length or word count. The purpose of your project proposal should be to give a clear, precise and pragmatic overview of your project's intent, scope and necessity. All GWupstart applications are evaluated by diverse and interdisciplinary groups of reviewers who will require clarity as they might be unfamiliar with the issue area.

The project description should serve as the Executive Summary or an Elevator Pitch for your project with clearly defined objectives, activities and impact.

While we understand that Generative A.I. and Large Language Models (LLMs) can be helpful tools and a good starting point, your final proposal should reflect your own opinions informed by your personal experiences. These tools have been resulting in recent proposals being wordy, full of jargons and lacking any kind of specificity. The content of your proposal should reflect the your passion and must be precise, clear, and unique.

You can check out our guidelines and potential indicators of strength to help your application. These are tips and suggestions of features to look for in a proposal. They are neither requirements nor an exhaustive list.

APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND TIPS

CONTACT upstartgwu [dot] edu (UPSTART[at]GWU[dot]EDU) FOR QUESTIONS AND MEETING REQUESTS!

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The deadlines to apply for the 2024-25 academic year are:

Public Service Grant Commission

The Public Service Grant (PSGC) is awarded in 4 cohorts, across 4 deadlines each academic year.

PSGC I (Fall 2025): September 7, 2025
PSGC II (Fall 2025): November 2, 2025
PSGC III (Spring 2026): February 8, 2026
PSGC IV (Spring 2026): March 8, 2026

*You must have a community partner onboard and the projects must be primarily based in the DC-metropolitan  area beyond the GW campus .

Clinton Global Initiative Entrepreneurship Program

Clinton Global Initiative University Deadline:
November 20, 2024 (Early Deadline), December 20, 2024 (Final Deadline)
Clinton Global Initiative Fellowship Deadline:
November 20, 2024 (Early Deadline), December 20, 2024 (Final Deadline)

Eco-Equity Challenge

Deadline: November 2, 2025

Projects for Peace

Deadline: November 2, 2025

Knapp Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Service-Learning

Deadline: May 23, 2025

Julian Clement Chase Prize for Community Impact

Deadline: May 15, 2025

Nashman Center MicroGrants

Deadlines are currently closed but we will be announcing the details for 2025-26 academic year very soon!

>>FIND ALL the ApplicationS Here<<

GWupstart Social Innovation Hub

Explore Funding, Mentorship, and Social Innovation Resources

Looking to bring your ideas for social change to life? The GWupstart Social Innovation Hub provides a central resource for GW students to discover funding opportunities, mentorship, and workshops designed to turn innovative ideas into sustainable, impactful projects. Get connected to other GW offices, programs and resources designed to help you out!

CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL INNOVATION HUB!

Whether you're looking to develop solutions for social issues, connect with like-minded peers, or learn through interactive events, the GWupstart Hub is your go-to resource for building meaningful change in your community.

What’s Next? Join us in shaping the future of social innovation at GW as part of the ecosystem!

CONTACT upstartgwu [dot] edu (UPSTART[at]GWU[dot]EDU) IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of funding available at GWupstart?

GWupstart offers various programs for students to engage in community service. As such, it provides a wide range of opportunities to further community engagement and service. Each program gets awarded a specific amount depending on the program, and students can apply for other grants and fellowships at the same time.  

 

The Clinton Global Initiative University - Commitment Maker Challenge 

Eco-Equity Challenge                             

Projects for Peace 

Public Service Grant

Knapp Fellowship

Julian Clement Chase Prize for Community Impact

Nashman Center MicroGrants

What should I do before beginning my application?

Applying for any program takes time, energy, and organization. Before you begin your application, draft a planning calendar with specific steps to start your application process making it more manageable to execute.  

• During your application drafting process, think about who your audience is and the community you will engage. Think about the issue you are trying to address and do research to learn more about the resources already available and how your project fits the community/organization's needs.   

• About a month before submitting your application, schedule an appointment with a GWupstart mentor. 

• Also, request feedback on your drafts from faculty, peers, and community partners (if possible). Consider their comments and revise accordingly. Get as many reviews as possible so you can anticipate the questions and critique of the commission, and address these as you write subsequent drafts.  

What are the components of a complete GWupstart application?

Applicants must submit the following information through GW Serves: 

• They must have the application, budget template, community letter, and project timeline.  

• You can download all the components of the application here. 

Please note that the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) grant will have their own application, but the GWupstart can still support you in the application process.

If I am not awarded, can I apply for the same grant again?

Yes, students are encouraged to apply again for the next grant deadline.

Do I need a community partner?

Yes, all students need a community partner and need to submit a letter of support from the community partner.  

• Community engagement focuses on the needs of communities to develop projects fitting community input.  

• Before submitting your proposal work alongside community partners to define relevant research questions and if your proposed research or project fits their needs.  

• Community entities are important to build deep connections in order to make a significant change in your community.  

Examples of helpful information you might to send to your community partner organization: 

• Request a meeting with the community partner to find out more about their needs and the needs of the community. 

• Share a summary of the project the grant will fund and ask them for any suggestions or modifications. 

• Explain why partnering with their organization is important to you. 

• Explain how the project intersects with the goals and mission of the partner organization. 

Can I apply for multiple grants for the same project?

Yes, you can! However, you will have to submit separate applications for each of the grants you are applying to.

How much detail should my application and budget include?

We encourage all applicants to submit as much information as possible. We understand that every application is unique and focused on specific issues or communities.  

• Know your audience, it is crucial to know the intended audience. 

• Know your purpose.  

• Include the community in all aspects of the project. Ask them questions about their issue or visit town hall meetings to have an idea of what their problems look like.  

• Create a concise timeline.  

• Provide details in the application. It is essential to provide as many details as possible because the reviewers will have many questions if your project is not clear.

• The budget worksheet needs to have as much detail as possible and include a justification for each expense. For example, personal costs and expenses for the project must be separated.

What if a student misses the deadline to apply?

Unfortunately, after the deadline has passed, students will not be able to submit their applications. However, you can always apply for a different grant. Only students applying for the Public Service Grant may apply multiple times during the calendar year.

Can part-time students participate in GWupstart?

Any GW enrolled student is eligible to apply for grants and both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply and participate in GWupstart programs. 

Is feedback available for a declined GWupstart application?

Yes, all applicants will be encouraged to schedule a meeting with a GWupstart representative to discuss their application.  

What does the award agreement entail?

Grant recipients agree to:  

• Provide a brief written report of their project with photos/videos of what they accomplished 

• Participate in presentations to showcase the work they are doing alongside the community 

• Have a monthly check-in meeting with a GWupstart representative 

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Stories from Grant Recipients

“I gained an immense amount of experience on the difficulties of coordinating with non-profits and managing both professional and personal calendars. Although we were able to successfully overcome scheduling difficulties, this provided valuable knowledge on how to approach future work. The project has also inspired me to continue pursuing grant work in the public health space and continue to improve my implementation of projects in the future.” - James Cobb, PSGC Recipient 

“More than anything, the project taught me the power of art to activate public memory, foster solidarity, and offer a space for grief and resistance. It challenged me to step into roles I hadn’t yet imagined for myself, co-founder, organizer, advocate and helped me realize that students can be catalysts for serious cultural and political work. The experience deepened my belief in the urgency of artist-led, humanitarian-centered programming and has fundamentally shaped how I envision both my future creative practice and my professional trajectory in law, art, and advocacy” - Benjamin Cunningham, PSGC Recipient

“This project had a profound impact on me, not just as a student but as an emerging leader. It pushed me to grow beyond the classroom and challenged me to lead with empathy, flexibility, and purpose. It also ignited in me a greater passion for serving my community. I learned how to lead a team with shared goals and how to balance responsibilities with other professionals. Collaborating with other OTs helped me understand how to navigate a real-world dynamic to make inclusive decisions.” - Carolin K. Capurro Perez, PSGC and MicroGrants recipient

 

Students Receive CGI U COVID-19 Action Fund Awards

 

Projects for Peace: Building Peace Through Tourism

 

A Student’s Crusade to Solve Puerto Rico’s Crisis