T.H.R.I.V.E. Grant

Overview

By providing seed funding for initiatives led by, and in support of, students, the T.H.R.I.V.E. Grant helps our community explore new ideas, build meaningful partnerships, and create positive, lasting change at Vanderbilt and beyond.

Through this initiative, Student Affairs Belonging and Communities invests in ideas that help ideas – and people – thrive, including those that:

Foster dialogue across differences;
Advance opportunities, wellbeing, and access;
Encourage creative, people-centered problem solving;
Strengthen relationships within and beyond the university; and
Inspire sustainable impact aligned with Vanderbilt’s mission and values.

Eligibility

Current Vanderbilt students and registered student organizations are eligible to apply. All applicants must be Vanderbilt students. Each project must include at least two (2) collaborators, and at least one collaborator must serve as the student applicant. Additional collaborators may include staff, faculty, or external community partners, but the project must be led and submitted by a Vanderbilt student.

Who can apply
- Current Vanderbilt students and registered student organizations in good standing
  - Faculty and staff can serve as collaborators or partners, but students (either individually or as registered student organizations) must lead and submit the proposal
  - The partner (staff, faculty, or peer collaborator) must affirm their involvement to ensure appropriate support for the student team. Community centers, academic departments, or campus partners can collaborate on shared projects.
  - If the project is being submitted on behalf of a registered student organization, or one or more of your collaborators is a registered student organization, or campus department, the applicant must submit letter(s) of support from organization advisors or unit leaders.
Eligible projects include
- Events or programs that build belonging and community
- Research, creative work, or scholarship that advances opportunity, access, and understanding
- Collaborative initiatives that strengthen relationships across disciplines or communities
- Projects that support wellbeing, mentorship, or connection

Note: Applicants must be Vanderbilt students or registered student organizations and be able to complete projects within the designated funding cycle. Students or student organizations may collaborate with staff on their project; however, applicants must be students.

Funding Details

The T.H.R.I.V.E. Grant offers students seed funding of up to $5,000 per project to support innovative, student-led initiatives that embody Vanderbilt’s mission and the values of Student Affairs Belonging and Communities.

Funding may be used for:

Materials, supplies, rentals, or event logistics directly related to a program or initiative, including event catering, programmatic supplies, and space reservations
Modest stipends or honoraria for guest speakers or collaborators*
Marketing, design, or communication needs*
Professional services offered by university-approved vendors
Research or creative production expenses
Group event or experience tickets (not individual gifts)
Modest travel or partnership-related costs (as applicable)*

*Expenses that may require special financial procedures

Funding may not be used for:

Tuition or salary support
Political or partisan activity
Long-term operational expenses
Projects without a clear Vanderbilt or community connection
Direct sponsorship/co-sponsorship/subgranting/ regranting to organizations or individuals
Donations to charity/non-profit organizations
Staff and student salaries or other personnel expenses
Cash Reserves
Monthly or yearly software subscriptions
Gift Cards
Gifts/prizes to students or staff exceeding $70 in value
Individual or personal expenses
Professional development experiences
Organizational membership dues, or fees
Unapproved vendors
Expenses for events that exclude populations
Speaker expenses outside of honorarium (travel, accommodations, and other fees should be included in speaker fee, and booked by the speaker or their agent)

Reporting requirements:
Awardees will submit a brief final report summarizing outcomes, reflections, and impact on belonging and collaboration. This includes completion of the required expense reporting and project timeline using the appropriate tools provided by the review committee.

Focus Areas

Projects supported through the T.H.R.I.V.E. Grant should advance one or more of the following priorities:

Connectedness: Foster welcoming environments, build bridges across differences and activate relationships to create meaningful, mutually beneficial experiences where students feel seen, supported and connected.
Mutual Respect: Foster dialogue across differences, promote listening and curiosity, and honor the unique journey and perspective each student brings.
Collective Responsibility: Extend accountability for creating a more welcoming, open campus by collectively removing barriers and expanding opportunities for all individuals and communities to thrive at Vanderbilt. 
Care: Center care, celebration and reflection as vital to a thriving student community.
Adaptive Growth: Generate, teach and creatively express knowledge in ways that advance learning and community practice, while embracing change through reflection and continuous learning with our communities, in order to strengthen our systems, skills and shared practices for creativity, community-building, responsiveness and sustainable impact.

Application Process & Timeline

Review eligibility and focus areas.
Download the application materials and budget template.
Prepare a brief (2–3 page) proposal outlining goals, community impact, and timeline.
Submit your proposal online by the deadline noted in the Application Form. Communications regarding funding decisions are outlined in the form.

Grantees will be required to submit a brief final report, describing outcomes and impact.

Submit Application

Spring applications are currently open and the deadline to apply has been extended to January 23, 2026.

FAQs

Who can apply for funding through the T.H.R.I.V.E. Grant?

Current Vanderbilt students and registered student organizations are eligible to apply. All applicants must be Vanderbilt students. Each project must include at least two collaborators, and at least one collaborator must serve as the student applicant. Additional collaborators may include staff, faculty or community-based organizations, but the project must be led and submitted by a Vanderbilt student.
If the project is being submitted on behalf of a registered student organization, or one or more of your collaborators is a registered student organization or campus department, the applicant must submit letter(s) of support from organization advisers or unit leaders.
Can external community partners be involved?

Yes. Projects that include external community partners are welcome as long as a Vanderbilt student leads and submits the proposal and the project clearly benefits the Vanderbilt community.
How much funding can I request?

Each proposal may request a maximum of $5,000 for projects and must spend their funding by the end of the term for which they have applied. Proposals should include a simple, itemized budget outlining how funds will be used.
What kinds of projects are eligible for funding?
The T.H.R.I.V.E. Grant supports projects that advance belonging, collaboration, and innovation. Eligible projects may include:
- Events or programs that build belonging and community
- Research, creative work, or scholarship that advances opportunity, access, and understanding
- Collaborative initiatives that strengthen relationships across disciplines or communities
- Projects that support wellbeing, mentorship, dialogue across difference, or connection
What types of expenses can the funding cover?

Funding may support supplies, materials, guest speakers, marketing, or event-related costs. It may not cover tuition, salaries, or political activities.
(See “Funding Details” above for the full list of eligible and ineligible expenses.)
When are applications due?

Applications deadlines are available in the application form. Please view the deadline section of the application for key dates.
How are projects selected for funding?
Proposals are reviewed by a committee based on:
- Innovation and feasibility
- Community engagement and potential for impact
- Alignment with Vanderbilt’s values of belonging and collaboration
- Clear, realistic goals and budget
Can I apply if I’ve received funding from another campus program?

Yes, but projects must be distinct from those already funded and cannot duplicate funding requests. Applicants should note any additional support in their proposal.
When will I know if my project is funded?

Award notifications will be sent by the grant review committee following review of proposals.
What happens after I receive funding?
Awardees will be required to:
- Complete the required expense reporting and project timeline using the appropriate tools provided by the review committee.
- Complete their projects during the designated project period.
- Submit a brief final report describing outcomes and impact. There are 4 types of documentation, and grantees will be required to submit at least 2 out of the 4 types of documentation by the deadlines described in the grantmaking timeline. The 4 documentation types are:
  - Photos or video documentation: This includes photos and videos taken during any and all parts of the project. Grant funds may be used to hire photographers or videographers.
- - Written qualitative assessment: This includes written reviews about the project from participants or those who engaged in any parts of the project. This can be feedback received via email, text message, social media, survey responses or other written media.
  - Verbal Qualitative Assessment: This includes audio or visual recorded individual interviews or focus groups of participants or those who engaged in any parts of the project.
  - Quantitative Assessment: This includes data that quantifies the impact of the project. This can include attendance data, or data collected via survey. (for example: a survey may ask participants to rate their sense of belonging after participating in the project). This can also include data collected using other techniques. (Example: a project that focuses on mentoring may quantify the number of times mentees connected with their mentors over the course of the semester or the total number of hours of mentorship mentors provided).
Do I need prior grant experience to apply?

No. The T.H.R.I.V.E. Grant is designed to be accessible to all members of the Vanderbilt community. Proposals are evaluated based on ideas, goals, and impact—not previous grant-writing experience.

Questions? Email: THRIVE@vanderbilt.edu