Express Grants

Apply today! Rolling deadline until March 27, 2026. Applications run in two cycles, there is a fall cycle and a spring cycle.

Those eligible to apply include:

Faculty and Staff:

• All Harvard University benefits-eligible staff and faculty. All primary team members must be affiliated with Harvard University.
• All benefits-eligible Harvard administrative/professional, support or service and trades staff members.
• Primary, secondary, and adjunct faculty.

Students, Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows:

• All full-time, degree seeking Harvard undergraduate and graduate students. All primary team members must be Harvard University affiliates. Non-Harvard people can be on a team.
• Students, postdoctoral researchers and fellows must also meet the following criteria:
  • Students must be enrolled for the duration of the funding period.
  • Student applications must have a sponsoring recognized student group.
  • Postdoctoral researchers and fellows are eligible to apply.
  • A full-time appointment at Harvard University is required, and the appointment must last the duration of the funding period if awarded.

• Funds may be used for direct project-related costs, including technology, software, equipment, professional services, accessibility services, catering, marketing, postage, temporary help (staff or students), back-filling for staff working on the project, and overtime for nonexempt staff.
• Funds may not be used to pay staff salaries unless agreed upon with CLIF in advance. You and others who work on the project are subject to Harvard University’s Intellectual Property Policy.
• Grant funds cannot be used to pay extra compensation or add pay to exempt staff, or for work by nonexempt staff who perform their project-related work within the scope of their typical work week. Staff members must receive prior consent from their manager to work on a project funded by this award.
• Funds may not be used to cover student tuition or generate income for personal businesses or individual salaries.
• Grant funding must have a direct impact on Harvard University and cannot be used for the operational costs or business activities of a nonprofit organization or business outside of Harvard, including other independent 501(c)(3) entities.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Alignment - Aligns with the Harvard University Community Values and advances a campus culture where every member can thrive in their academic, professional, and research pursuits.
• Accessibility - Applies inclusive principles recommended by Harvard University Disability Resources so that the proposed product, resource, or service is usable by as many different people as possible. Adherence to the Digital Accessibility Policy is required.
• Connection to Campus - Directly impacts the Harvard University community.
• Data - Has measurable outcomes and attainable goals once implemented.
• Innovation - Offers a novel or creative approach to strengthening a culture of mutual respect and full participation for all on campus.
• Non-Discrimination - All events organized as part of the project implementation should be open and welcoming to all members of the Harvard community.
• One Harvard - Project teams include a combination of faculty, students, staff, and/or postdoctoral fellows, or demonstrate cross-School or cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Promising Practice - Has potential for University-wide impact and/or designs resources to be shared and replicable across offices, departments, Schools, and Units.

Grant recipients must submit a post-initiative report outlining the outcomes and impact of the funded activity. This form will be provided by the grant administrator once the grant is awarded. We ask that you document your activity with images, graphs, or quotes from participants to include in your post-initiative report.

Grants typically range from $200 to $1,500, but may receive more in exceptional circumstances based on application details, timing, and available funds. Requested amounts are not guaranteed; a portion of the requested amount may be awarded.

Applications will be reviewed and processed every 3 weeks within the Fall and Spring cycles. Applicants can expect to hear back from the Harvard Culture Lab team within 6 weeks after applying.

You will receive a notification about the status of your funding request. If you have been selected to receive funding, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the grant. We will also provide you with financial policies and guidelines.

Applicants must designate a Harvard University employee as their financial administrator to manage the grant funds. The financial administrator must be a Harvard University employee trained in finance, who operates a 33-digit billing code, and monitors compliance with the University Financial Policy. 

Grants will be transferred to the Harvard account associated with the project after cross-validation from the financial administrator.

We will ask you to produce a report summarizing project outcomes and share the milestones you were able to reach with the funding.

If you have additional questions, please email culturelab@harvard.edu