About the Political Engagement Fund

Wesleyan University has a long history of supporting student civic engagement and recognizes this moment’s unique opportunity for liberal learning through engagement with the public sphere. 

We are pleased to welcome applications for the Political Engagement Fund’s Summer 2026 Cycle through Sunday April 5, 2026 (11:59pm).

Projects and Proposal

Wesleyan undergraduate students can apply to the Political Engagement Fund for project support in one of the following areas:

• Voter Registration
• Issues Advocacy
• Local or National Campaigns

See examples of previously funded projects at our Engage Blog and in the Wesleyan Connection (Summer 2025, Fall 2020)!

Budgeting and Expenses

Summer grants, which are capped at $5,000.00 per applicant, provide funding to help alleviate costs in the following areas:

• Lodging Expenses
• Food Expenses (related to engagement)
• Travel Expenses: Airfare, Train Tickets, Bus Fare/Tickets, Subway/Metro Fare, Mileage (72.5 cents per mile)
• Program Expenses: Tuition (non-Wesleyan), Conference Fees, Supplies (i.e. notebooks, books, pens)

Political Engagement Fund grants may not be used for any of the following:

• Payment to applicant
• Payment/wages to others
• Personal expenses deemed non-essential to the project
• Other discretionary expenses deemed unrelated to the proposed project
• Tuition at Wesleyan University
• Purchasing or leasing a vehicle
• Equipment that will be retained by student or host organization (i.e. cameras, lighting equipment, laptops, etc.)

All applicants are required to submit a budget sheet, detailing the funding request. All items included in your budget must be directly related to your proposal. Based on the information you provide and available funds, an amount may be awarded to you equal to or less than your request.

Additional Political Engagement Fund requirements

Award recipients are required to:

• Attend an orientation
• Enroll in CSPL 494 (Elections Internship)
• Submit a final report 
• Share their experience at select Allbritton Center events

Additional Information

Please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for more information. 

If you need additional information or want to further workshop your ideas, please contact Sonya Hadley at shadley@wesleyan.edu.   

How to access the Political Engagement Fund application

The application is hosted on Submittable, a social impact platform being used by Wesleyan's Gordon Career Center. Please follow the directions below to begin. 

• Create a free Submittable account or sign in (see below)
• You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the application at a later date.
• If anything changes with the information you submitted, please request to edit the submission. Edits can only be made prior to the deadline.
• We will follow-up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure to safelist notification emails from Submittable and check the email you used to sign up for your Submittable account regularly. Check out the Submitter Resource Center or reach out to Submittable's customer support team with any technical questions here.

Ready to Apply?

You may save your progress by clicking "Save Draft" at the end of the application. Once you are ready to submit your application, please click "Submit Form." Decisions will be announced on Friday, April 24. Applications will be reviewed after the submission deadline. Failure to meet application or program requirements will result in your application being withdrawn. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For further information or to workshop your application, please contact shadley@wesleyan.edu.

Wesleyan Summer Grants Main Application

First Application Window: February 9th - March 26th, 11:59pm

This application window is open only to students receiving need-based financial aid. If you are not receiving need-based aid, you will apply during the second window: April 1st - 23rd

Make sure to review our website for program details, including eligibility, application information, and timelines. Failure to meet application or program requirements will result in your application being withdrawn. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Application Information

Students who apply through the main application will be considered for all available program grants except the Wesleyan Black Alumni Council Memorial Fund and the Wesleyan Israel and Jewish Student Life Endowed Program Fund. Students who are eligible for either of these two grants should complete the corresponding application; they will also be considered for all other funding opportunities within the Wesleyan Summer Grants Program.

Ready to Apply?

Complete the application and read through carefully as questions will populate throughout based on your experience type. All applications will be reviewed after the deadline. You may save your progress by clicking "Save Draft" at the end of the application. Once you are ready to submit your application, please click "Submit Form". 

Need help or have additional questions? Email wsg@wesleyan.edu

First Application Window: February 9th - March 26th, 11:59pm

This application window is open only to students receiving need-based financial aid. If you are not receiving need-based aid, you will apply during the second window: April 1st - 23rd

Make sure to review our website for program details, including eligibility, application information, and timelines. Failure to meet application or program requirements will result in your application being withdrawn. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Grant Information

In April 1986, the Wesleyan Black Alumni Council (WBAC) established a memorial fund to honor the memory and spirit of alumni Bruce D. Hall ’77, James “Donnie” Rochester ’74, and Dwight L. Greene ’70 through a summer experience grant to support students interested in projects or research pertaining to the African American experience. Students graduating in May 2026 are not eligible for this fund. Applicants for this grant will also be considered for the main application and do not need to reapply.

This grant is funded through the Wesleyan Summer Grants program. You cannot receive this award in conjunction with another Wesleyan Summer Grant. If you have previously received a Wesleyan Summer Grant, you are not eligible to apply. 

Ready to Apply?

Complete the application and read through carefully as questions will populate throughout based on your experience type. All applications will be reviewed after the deadline. You may save your progress by clicking "Save Draft" at the end of the application. Once you are ready to submit your application, please click "Submit Form". 

Need help or have additional questions? Email wsg@wesleyan.edu

First Application Window: February 9th - March 26th, 11:59pm

This application window is open only to students receiving need-based financial aid. If you are not receiving need-based aid, you will apply during the second window: April 1st - 23rd

Make sure to review our website for program details, including eligibility, application information, and timelines. Failure to meet application or program requirements will result in your application being withdrawn. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Grant Information

The Wesleyan Israel and Jewish Student Life Endowed Program Fund was established by anonymous donors to assist students in financing summer experiences related to Jewish and Israel studies (Israeli history and culture) and/or contemporary Jewish life.

Funds can be used for unpaid internships, educational experiences, transportation, tuition, rent, program fees, etc. Students are discouraged from taking language courses that are currently being offered on campus. Upon return, the awarded student(s) will be asked to share their experiences with the rest of the Wesleyan community in a meaningful way. Students graduating in May 2026 are not eligible for this fund. Applicants for this grant will also be considered for the main application and do not need to reapply.

This grant is funded through the Wesleyan Summer Grants program. You cannot receive this award in conjunction with another Wesleyan Summer Grant. If you have previously received a Wesleyan Summer Grant, you are not eligible to apply. 

Ready to Apply?

Complete the application and read through carefully as questions will populate throughout based on your experience type. All applications will be reviewed after the deadline. You may save your progress by clicking "Save Draft" at the end of the application. Once you are ready to submit your application, please click "Submit Form". 

Need help or have additional questions? Email wsg@wesleyan.edu