Higher Education

Civic Pluralism Curriculum Development Grants

Interfaith America is excited to offer $4,000 grants for cross-difference teams of two educators who are committed to collaborating across significant religious, political, social, and/or moral differences.

Applications Closed

Grant Overview

We invite cross-difference teams of two educators to apply for a $4,000 grant to design and implement a course on the theory and application of pluralism to be taught between January 2025 and May 2026. Each teaching team will be made up of two educators who share at least one deep difference related to the course content. The funds will be split between the educators ($2000/each) and are intended as support for their time and energy in curriculum development.

Examples of proposed pluralism courses include but are not limited to:

• A course, co-taught by professors from differing political perspectives/parties, that explores the history of political discourse, polarization, and pluralism in America and the impact of positive cross-party engagement, with special attention to contemporary case studies.

• A course, co-taught by professors with differing perspectives on the Israel-Hamas War, that explores how the history of civic pluralism in the United States informs relationship-building efforts today across deeply divided communities.

• A course, co-taught by professors with differing perspectives on the use of gene-editing technologies like CRISPR, that explores the complexities of different approaches to engaging diverse perspectives on medical ethics for concrete civic projects based on shared values.

• A course, co-taught by professors from different religious identities, that explores the history of religious diversity in America supplemented by case studies of interfaith cooperation driving and impeding civic pluralism.

We will also consider substantive course revisions, such as the inclusion of a new substantive module or unit within a pre-existing course, provided the criteria below are still met.

Grant Details

Eligibility

This funding is reserved for educators at 2- and 4-year colleges and universities in the United States. Educators include faculty (tenured, contingent, adjunct, contract, and part-time) and staff or administrators that teach courses for academic credit.

We will be prioritizing applications that demonstrate the following:

A strong collaboration between educators with a commitment to a respect/relate/cooperate model of pluralism
Engagement with the American intellectual tradition of pluralism (see suggested readings here)
Promise of sustainable curricular interventions
Curriculum that impacts a high percentage of students
Teaching of skills for civic pluralism (such as active listening, storytelling and other bridgebuilding skills found in Skills for Bridging the Gap)
Preparation of students to engage diversity in deep, nuanced, and generative ways

Courses must be taught between January 2025 and May 2026. For courses taught in Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026, course design (course syllabus, activities, etc.) must be completed no later than Spring 2025.

Requirements

Use at least three resources from Interfaith America’s Learning and Action Bridge (LAB). These can include case studies, Bridgebuilder Basics curriculum, We Can Build Bridges curriculum, Skills for Bridging the Gap curriculum, Interfaith Leadership Video Series, pluralism bibliography, or other resources available through the LAB.
Both teammates must attend a two-hour virtual workshop led by Interfaith America on civic pluralism in January 2025 (as part of the grant launch). Date and time TBA.
At least one teammate must participate in a mid-Spring 2025 phone call with IA staff about the project progress. At least one representative required.
At least one teammate must attend two cohort calls with other grantees, one in Spring 2025 and another in Winter 2026.
Submit a final report that includes the curricular materials developed through the grant such as syllabi, case studies, modules, activities, etc.
A letter of support from a relevant supervisor or senior administrator, acknowledging support for the development and implementation of this grant.

Proposal Review and Selection

Through its grant programs, Interfaith America is committed to supporting initiatives that meaningfully engage people with a range of religious, philosophical, or ideological perspectives and diverse racial and ethnic identities. In alignment with this commitment, the selection committee will seek a balanced cohort of diverse grantees, including those with a variety of faith and worldview commitments from both public and private, as well as religious and non-religious, institutions.

Funding

Grantee teaching teams will receive $4,000 total, divided evenly between the two team members ($2,000/each).
This grant is designed to be paid out to individuals as compensation for the grantees’ time and energy in curricular design.
Grantees requesting payout to their institution are responsible for understanding and navigating their institutional or organizational grant processes.
Those who receive funding may receive a 1099 tax form at the end of the year.

Restrictions

Grant funds may not be spent on:

Indirect or overhead costs (including fringe)
Expenses associated with political campaign activities, including directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office; making contributions to political campaigns; or attempting to influence legislation (i.e., lobbying)
Capital funds or expenses (e.g., endowments, capital campaigns, annual funds, tuition, or student fees)

Deliverables

Grantees will be expected to submit a final report outlining learnings and impact, along with curricular materials developed over the grant period.

Timeline

October 1, 2024: Application period opens
November 29, 2024: Application period closes
December 6, 2024: Selection decisions communicated to applicants
January 1, 2025: Grant implementation period begins
May 1, 2025: Grantees provide a progress report on their projects and submit all curricular materials developed for implementation in Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025 or Spring 2026.
May 31, 2026: Grantees provide a final report; grant implementation period concludes

Related Resources

The Learning & Action Bridge

Use Interfaith America's Learning & Action Bridge to discover your next steps. Find interfaith opportunities based on your role and goals.

Bridgebuilder Basics

Bridgebuilder Basics explores the vision, knowledge, and skills required to effectively cross lines of difference and take common action for the common good.

Skills for Bridging the Gap

A curriculum for educators and facilitators focused on the bridgebuilding practices and skills that help people engage across deep divides.

Pluralism Texts Bibliography

This bibliography reflects a variety of perspectives that provide foundational theory, knowledge, and practical wisdom about civic pluralism.

higher education

Curriculum Development Funding

Design and implement a course on the theory and application of pluralism.

Contact Us

Please contact us with any questions about the Civic Pluralism Curriculum Development Grants.

Michael Whitenton

Director of Academic Initiatives

Interfaith America