Projects for Peace
Every year, one undergraduate student or a team of students is awarded a $10,000 grant to implement a Project for Peace, typically between May and August. The application deadline for next year's project (Summer of 2025) is November 2nd, 2025.
The program encourages young adults to develop innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world’s most pressing issues. Along the way, these student leaders increase their knowledge, improve their skills, and begin to see themselves as agents of change.
GW students are invited to design grassroots projects that promote peace and address the root causes of conflict in a particular community anywhere in the world. Applicants should use their creativity to address the root causes of conflict among parties, focusing on conflict prevention, resolution, and reconciliation. These projects must be implemented during the summer immediately following acceptance of the grant and may take place anywhere in the world (pending GW approval).
Projects selected will receive a $10,000 grant to advance their ideas for building peace. You may submit as an individual or as a group of GW students. You may also raise funding from other sources to advance the project.
- Students must be enrolled at one of our participating partner institutions at the time of application and nomination;
- U.S. or international students are eligible;
- Students may be of any age, any major, or any year in school: this includes seniors who intend to complete their projects in the summer after graduation.
- Students may implement the project alone or with others;
- The project may take place anywhere in the world, including in the U.S.
This initiative is part of a $1 million endowment in honor of the late Kathryn W. Davis, an accomplished philanthropist, and advocate for peace. You must address each question in this application and provide an additional budget and timeline using the templates provided. The narrative part of the application should focus on how your project is connecting to conflict resolution and peacebuilding in your selected community.
Deadline: November 2, 2025
Looking for Inspiration?
Check out the Project Archive of all the previous winning projects!
2025 Projects for Peace Winner
Nomonde Shongwe: The Pad Project
This project addresses the issue of period poverty in Alexandra Township, South Africa, where many young girls are forced to miss school because they lack access to menstrual products. This creates a ripple effect, impacting their education, confidence, and future opportunities. Our approach combines providing reusable menstrual pads with hands-on workshops that teach girls how to make their pads using accessible organic materials. These workshops also provide menstrual health education to reduce stigma and create safe spaces for open conversations.
They will work with The Pad Princess, a South African organization dedicated to addressing period poverty, and local community leaders. Their expertise ensures cultural relevance and effective community engagement. This project is not just about meeting immediate needs—it’s about empowering girls with the skills and knowledge to take control of their menstrual health and their futures.
Stories from Grant Recipients
Not Just a Number: GW Students Amplify Voices of Ukrainian Refugees and NGOs
Undergraduates Nataliya Layer, Lydia Miller, Liana Moldovanu and Anja Ree spent six weeks in Eastern Europe documenting the human toll of war through personal narratives.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE
Innovative Senior Fights against Gender-Based Discrimination in Puerto Rico
