About CCEL Grants
At the Centre for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL), we empower students to drive social change through funding for meaningful projects in partnership with BC-based community organizations.
Our grants support students in co-designing and implementing impactful initiatives that directly address community needs. We encourage bold, creative ideas and offer hands-on experiences in tackling real-world challenges. Dive in, explore new possibilities, and gain experience working to address real-world issues.
Grant applications for the 2025 projects are now closed. We will begin accepting proposals for 2026 projects on Nov 1, 2025.
Connect to Community Grant
Connect to Community Grants (C2C) are designed for students embarking on the initial phases of their changemaking journey, intended for those taking their first strides. They offer UBC students the opportunity to create and carry out introductory, trial, and smaller-scale projects that support community priorities.
Designed as an introduction to the grants experience, students are challenged to learn from the application process through to project completion.
Successful applicants can request between $500 and $2,000 per project. Projects must be completed within 6 months of the grant being awarded. Review the application toolkit (pdf) for more details and download the application form (pdf).
Global Fund
Global Fund Grants are intended for students who have some experience working alongside communities towards social change, to further empower them in expanding their learning and capacity to work in partnership with the community. They offer UBC students the opportunity to create and execute a more robust project to address a community priority.
This grant supports students leading impactful initiatives that further empower equity-seeking populations or address systemic challenges. This fund is in partnership with the UBC Alma Mater Society.
Successful applicants can request between $2,000 and $5,000 per project. Projects must be completed within 6 months of the grant being awarded. Review the application toolkit (pdf) for more details, and download the application form (pdf).
Chapman and Innovation Grants
Chapman and Innovation Grants (C&I) are designed for students advanced in their path toward making a difference and well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the community. They offer UBC students the opportunity to work on projects that promote the self-empowerment of communities through meaningful collaboration.
Strong projects will have an innovative or creative approach to addressing social issues.
Successful applicants can request between $5,000 and $10,000 CAD per project. Projects must be completed within 6 months of the grant being awarded. Review the application toolkit (pdf) for more details, and download the application form (pdf).
Eligibility requirements
- You must be enrolled in an undergraduate program or Master’s degree. PhD students are not eligible for CCEL grants.
- Domestic and international students are welcome to apply.
- Each application must include at least one UBC student and one community organization listed on the application.
Read the Grant Eligibility Guidelines (pdf) for more information about student, community partner, and project eligibility.
Application timelines
2025/26 applications
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 1, 2025 | All CCEL Grant Applications are open. |
| Sat, Jan 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm | Deadline to submit an application for all CCEL Grants. |
| April 2026 | Funding decisions are announced. |
| May 2026 | CCEL Grant projects begin. |
Year-round advising
UBC CCEL Grant Advising is available to support students throughout the grant application process. Examples of discussion topics include:
- Connecting with community partner organizations
- Exploring, scoping out, and evaluating project ideas and their feasibility
- Answering questions about the application process
- Determining eligibility to apply to grants
- Preparing grant applications, including offering resources for grant writing
- Creating and revising project budgets
Reporting requirements
Successful grant applicants are required to submit the following documents to CCEL:
- A final project report detailing the project outcomes
- An expense report of how the fund was used
Past grant winners
Check out our CCEL Grants Project Library for examples of previously funded CCEL grant projects.
Additional resources
- Review the Identifying a Project Idea guide (pdf) for tips on drafting a problem statement. You can also use the brainstorming matrix in the guide to develop a strong project idea.
- Learn how to build a partnership with a community organization through the Reaching out to a Community Organization guide (pdf).
If you have questions
Contact Jacquie (she/her) at jacquie.kwok@ubc.ca with your questions or to book an advising appointment. The CCEL office aims to respond to emails within 1 to 3 business days.
Appointments are available Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm. You can meet with an advisor virtually via Zoom or in person at the CCEL office.