Apply For A Grant

Applications will open in October 2025

The OSU Women’s Giving Circle is inviting you to submit a proposal for grants that will be awarded in June 2026. The Women's Giving Circle was founded in 2003 by a group of OSU alumni and friends who pooled their gifts to create a fund to support Oregon State University programs.

Grant Criteria

The Women's Giving Circle will consider proposals that meet all the following criteria:

  • Enhance the OSU undergraduate student experience and improve student retention.
  • Directly impact as many OSU students as possible.

In addition, more serious consideration will be given to proposals that:

  • Are relevant but not exclusive to women.
  • Involve undergraduate students in the implementation of the project or program.
  • Have limited sources of support and realize a significant impact from the WGC.

Grant awards are generally between $5,000-$10,000, with $10,000 being the maximum available to award. Proposals that receive funding may apply again in the two following years but are not given special priority during the grant process. The number of grants awarded will depend on the size of the pooled fund and the number of compelling proposals submitted.

Non-Eligible Criteria

  • Proposals that directly benefit research projects will not be considered.
  • Travel expenses (hotel, meals, gas, car rentals, train, bus or airfare), and food and beverage budgets, should be excluded entirely.
  • Proposals to fund professor stipends as well as any salaries and benefits will not be considered.  

Submittal Requirements

Applications are reviewed by the Women’s Giving Circle and may include assessment, site visits, follow-up questions, and budget adjustment requests. Applicants must be prepared to articulate the following:

  • What difference or impact will the grant make for OSU students?
  • Is the proposal viable?
  • What makes the proposal compelling?
  • Is the grant amount appropriate? Should it be increased or decreased?

The information Women’s Giving Circle members will be given for voting includes

  • The grant application and budget
  • The site reviewer’s comments
  • Questions asked by members during the proposal review include either recommending the amount proposed by the applicant, or a lesser amount.

If a greater number of proposals are submitted than funding is available, not all eligible proposals will be awarded. In the spring of 2026, Women's Giving Circle members will vote to make the final grant selections and funds will be available the following academic year.  

Grant Recipient Requirements

  • A report answering questions regarding your project progress will be required at the midpoint and end of the funding year. The report will be shared with the Women’s Giving Circle steering committee.
  • Throughout the year, grantees should expect to present their grant and provide an overview of their program during a Grant Impact Session or other event.
  • Save the date to attend celebrations alongside Women’s Giving Circle members and feel free to send any events you are hosting which you would like members to attend.
  • Grant funding must be used in its entirety by the end of the academic year or the remaining balance will be returned to the grantor.  

Timeline overview for applicants

  • Grant application open: October - January
  • Applicant overview and Q&A via Zoom (office hours for applicants with questions about the grant process): November
  • Grant proposal site visits: March
  • Grant voting by Women's Giving Circle members: April
  • Notice of grant award: June
  • Acceptance of grant award due: June

Timeline for current grantees

  • Renewal application open: October-January
  • Grant Impact Session presentation: October-May
  • Renewal proposal site visits: March
  • Mid-year reports from current grantees due: March
  • Grant voting by Women's Giving Circle members: April
  • Notice of renewal award: June
  • Acceptance of grant award due: June
  • Final reports due: July