Higher Education

Engaging Difference in General Education (EDGE) Grants

Establishing Civic Pluralism as a Core Competency of Undergraduate Education

Apply by October 31, 2026

Grant Overview

The 2026–28 Engaging Difference in General Education (EDGE) Grants will provide six institutions with up to $20,000 each and cohort-based support to establish Civic Pluralism as a core competency of undergraduate education. During the 18-month grant period, campus teams will develop institutionally appropriate student learning outcomes, advance the competency’s formal adoption within each institution’s undergraduate learning framework, and pilot the competency through one or more high-reach courses or curricular pathways.

A central intended outcome of the EDGE Grants is that a Civic Pluralism competency be formally approved and in the curriculum pipeline by May 31, 2028. Applicants must demonstrate that their institution’s governance process and calendar provide a credible pathway to final institutional approval within the grant period. Awardees will be required to complete all proposal-development, submission, and revision activities within their control, consistent with their approved application and the scope of work.

Grant Overview

Participating institutions will be expected to:

Develop institutionally appropriate student learning outcomes that operationalize Civic Pluralism as an undergraduate competency.
Advance the competency’s formal adoption through the relevant curricular or institutional governance processes.
Pilot the competency in at least one high-reach course or curricular pathway during the 2027–28 academic year.
Engage substantively with at least three IA resources, such as those available through Interfaith America’s Learning & Action Bridge (LAB), based on relevance to its institutional context and project goals.
Develop aligned syllabi, assignments, assessment rubrics, and faculty-development resources, including graduate teaching assistant preparation where relevant.
Establish a plan for sustaining and expanding implementation across additional courses or curricular pathways following the grant period.

A first-year writing pilot is strongly encouraged for institutions where it offers substantial reach, but other curricular pathways with comparable reach and institution-wide significance are eligible.

Each institution will designate a core working team of three to five active members that collectively brings relevant experience and capacity in curricular leadership and governance, pilot instruction, student-learning assessment, faculty development, and, where applicable, graduate teaching assistant preparation. At least one member must demonstrate relevant expertise in civic pluralism, civil dialogue, or a related field. Detailed team-composition requirements appear under Eligibility.

Each institution must also identify a provost, chief academic officer, or equivalent senior academic leader to sponsor the proposal and provide a letter of support.

The grant period will run from December 1, 2026, through May 31, 2028, so institutions can navigate relevant governance processes, develop curricular and assessment resources, and pilot implementation during the 2027–28 academic year.

Participating teams will join also join a learning cohort that meets virtually twice per semester to share progress, address common challenges, strengthen their institutional leadership, and contribute emerging models, resources, and lessons to the broader higher education field.

Grant Details

Eligibility

Represent an accredited four-year U.S. college or university.
Propose a project that would establish Civic Pluralism as a core competency within the university’s institution-wide framework for undergraduate learning (general education program, core curriculum, or equivalent institution-wide framework), with initial implementation through one or more high-reach courses or curricular pathways. For purposes of this grant opportunity, a “high-reach course or curricular pathway” means a course, course sequence, program, or pathway with significant student reach, strategic importance within the undergraduate curriculum, and demonstrated potential for broader institutional implementation. Student reach will be evaluated relative to the size and structure of the applicant institution.
Apply as a team of three to five individuals. Collectively, the team must include:
- A team lead with responsibility for a relevant curricular program.
- A faculty member who currently participates in the governance of the undergraduate learning framework through which Civic Pluralism would be adopted.
- One or more faculty members who teach in the courses or curricular pathways through which the competency would initially be implemented.
- One or more faculty or staff members who collectively bring capacity in student-learning assessment, faculty development, and, where applicable, graduate teaching assistant preparation.
Individual members may fulfill more than one required team role, but each capacity must be explicitly represented. In addition, at least one team member must possess demonstrable expertise in civic pluralism, civil dialogue, or a related field.
Where one exists, applicants are encouraged to involve the institution’s center for teaching and learning or equivalent faculty-development unit, either through team membership or an established collaborative relationship.
Identify a provost, chief academic officer, or equivalent senior academic leader to serve as the project sponsor and provide a letter of support.
Commit to active participation in virtual cohort meetings twice per semester, engagement with relevant IA resources, and completion of the program’s required deliverables and reporting (see IA’s LAB tool for resource ideas).
Evaluation of the above requirements will focus on the team’s documented progress and good-faith completion of activities within its control, rather than on the outcome of institutional governance processes that may be influenced by factors beyond the team’s control.

Funding

Interfaith America will award six institutional grants of up to $20,000 each. Grant funds are intended to support the development of institutionally appropriate Civic Pluralism student learning outcomes; advancement through relevant governance and adoption processes; pilot implementation in high-reach courses or curricular pathways; creation of aligned curricular, assessment, and faculty-development resources; and planning for sustained implementation and broader institutional reach. Funded projects must locate this work within their institution’s formal, institution-wide undergraduate learning framework. In addition to grant funding, participating teams will receive cohort-based support throughout the 18-month grant period.

Funds will be distributed in two installments:

Up to $10,000 upon execution of the grant agreement
Up to $10,000 upon IA acceptance of Interfaith America’s acceptance of the Governance and Adoption Progress Report, due June 15, 2027

Deliverables

Cohort Participation
- Participate in virtual cohort meetings twice per semester (excluding the summer) throughout the grant period, with attendance by at least 2 team members per institution
  - Engage in leadership development activities and peer learning opportunities
  - Share progress, challenges, and lessons learned with grant cohort members
- Due: Ongoing, December 2026–May 2028
Initial EDGE Project Plan
- Each institution will submit a 2-page Initial EDGE Project Plan, based on an IA-provided worksheet, identifying major activities and milestones, anticipated timeframes, responsible team members, and expected outputs or decisions.
- Due: February 28, 2027
Governance and Adoption Progress Report
- Each institution will submit a brief memo documenting substantive progress toward the formal adoption of Civic Pluralism within its undergraduate learning framework. The report should include:
  - The proposed Civic Pluralism competency statement and institutionally appropriate student learning outcomes.
  - The governance bodies and approval processes relevant to adoption.
  - Actions completed to date, such as stakeholder consultation, proposal submission, committee review, or faculty deliberation.
  - Documentation of any formal decisions or approvals received.
  - An updated timeline and next steps for advancing adoption.
- Final approval is an intended program outcome, but institutions will be evaluated on documented progress through their respective governance processes rather than on approval by a uniform interim deadline.
- Due: June 15, 2027
Pilot Readiness Packet
- The current Civic Pluralism competency statement and aligned student learning outcomes.
- A description of the high-reach course or curricular pathway selected for the pilot, including its anticipated student reach.
- A course syllabus or syllabus revision demonstrating alignment with the competency.
- Relevant assignments and instructional materials.
- An assessment rubric and plan for collecting and evaluating evidence of student learning.
- Faculty-development and, where applicable, graduate teaching assistant preparation resources.
- A brief pilot implementation plan identifying participating instructors, sections, responsibilities, and anticipated challenges.
- Due: At least 30 days before the pilot implementation begins.
Pilot Implementation
- During the 2027-28 academic year, each institution will:
  - Pilot the Civic Pluralism competency in at least one high-reach course or curricular pathway.
  - Provide appropriate preparation and support for participating faculty and graduate teaching assistants.
  - Use the approved learning outcomes, assignments, and assessment approach.
  - Track the number of participating courses or sections, instructors, and students.
  - Collect and assess evidence of student learning in accordance with institutional policies.
- Due: During the 2027-28 academic year.
Interim Progress Report
- Each institution will complete an Interim Progress Report survey provided by Interfaith America. The report will include:
- Updates on the formal adoption process.
- The status of pilot preparation or implementation.
- Curricular and faculty-development resources completed to date.
- Anticipated or actual student reach.
- Emerging challenges, lessons, and adjustments to the project’s approach, timeline, or responsibilities.
- Significant changes to the activities, responsibilities, or timelines identified in the Initial EDGE Project plan.
- Progress toward sustained implementation and broader institutional reach.
- Due: February 15, 2028
Final Report
- Each institution will complete a Final Report survey and submit its final project portfolio. The submission will include:
  - The status of formal competency adoption, including relevant documentation and next steps if approval remains pending.
  - The final Civic Pluralism competency statement and student learning outcomes.
  - Final syllabi or syllabus revisions, assignments, instructional materials, assessment rubrics, and faculty-development resources.
  - The scope of pilot implementation, including the number of courses or sections, instructors, and students involved.
  - Findings from the assessment of student learning and reflections on the pilot’s strengths and limitations.
  - Identify the IA resources with which the team engaged and briefly describe how they informed the project’s planning, implementation, or future direction.
  - A description of faculty and graduate teaching assistant preparation provided.
  - A sustainability and expansion plan identifying at least one additional course, course sequence, program, or curricular pathway for future implementation.
  - A budget-to-actual summary and brief explanation of significant variances.
  - Examples, lessons, and promising practices that may be shared through Interfaith America publications, case studies, website articles, or other field-building efforts.
- Due: May 31, 2028

Selection Process

Through its programs, Interfaith America is committed to supporting initiatives that meaningfully engage people with a range of religious, philosophical, or ideological perspectives as well as diverse racial and ethnic identities.

Eligible applications will be evaluated for alignment with EDGE goals and the overall quality and potential impact of the proposed project. Reviewers will consider the credibility of the governance and adoption pathway; the feasibility of the proposed timeline, implementation and assessment strategies, and budget; the strength of the team and institutional support; anticipated student reach; and prospects for sustained implementation and broader institutional reach. Because formal adoption is a central intended outcome, applications without a credible pathway to final institutional approval by May 31, 2028, will not be competitive.

To support a fair and mission-aligned review process, Interfaith America may:

Convene a review committee representing diverse backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and areas of expertise
Request clarification, supporting documentation, or verification of institutional governance processes and calendars.
Invite finalist teams to participate in an interview.
Consider institutional diversity when assembling the final cohort, including institution type, size, geographic region, student population, and curricular context.

Timeline

September 1, 2026: The application period opens.
October 31, 2026: The application period closes.
November 16, 2026: Selection decisions are communicated to applicants.
December 1, 2026: Grant implementation period begins.
December 2026: Virtual cohort orientation (90 minutes)
December 2026 – January 2027: Development of Initial EDGE Project Plans.
February 2027: Virtual cohort meeting 1 (90 minutes)
February 28, 2027: Initial EDGE Project Plan worksheet is due.
April 2027: Virtual cohort meeting 2 (90 minutes)
June 15, 2027: The Governance and Adoption Progress Report is due.
At least 30 days before pilot implementation begins: The Pilot Readiness Packet is due.
During the 2027–28 academic year: Institutions pilot the Civic Pluralism competency through at least one high-reach course or curricular pathway. Pilots must conclude in sufficient time to assess results and submit the Final Report by May 31, 2028.
September 2027: Virtual cohort meeting 3 (90 minutes)
November 2027: Virtual cohort meeting 4 (90 minutes)
February 2028: Virtual cohort meeting 5 (90 minutes)
February 15, 2028: Interim Progress Reports are due.
May 2028: Virtual Cohort Reflection & Celebration (120 minutes)
By May 31, 2028: Institutions seek final approval of the proposed Civic Pluralism competency.
May 31, 2028: Grantees submit their Final Reports, and the grant period concludes.

Application Links

Request for Proposals & Application Guide

The Request for Proposals (RFP) formally announces the Engaging Difference in General Education (EDGE) Grants. It contains a description of the opportunity, eligibility requirements, the deliverables that will be expected from grantees/fellows, and other pertinent information like a timeline and funding parameters.

In the application, we will ask you to describe your proposed project, institutional context, implementation strategy, and plans for competency adoption. Responses should reflect your institution’s current circumstances as well as your vision for future impact.

Related Resources

Use our Learning & Action Bridge to discover resources based on your role and goals. Visit our Courses, Curricula & Tools Library to browse all resources.

Guide for Applying to Interfaith America Grants and Fellowships

Learn what makes a strong grant proposal to Interfaith America.

Strengthening Pluralism through Academic Life: A Faculty Guide

This resource offers practical and proactive recommendations and examples for faculty to bring pluralism to life as they shape the academic life of their campus.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pluralism

A core capacity for any pluralism leader is taking seriously the questions or concerns people may express about this vision for cooperating across differences.

The Learning and Action Bridge

Use our Learning & Action Bridge to discover your next steps. The LAB offers you high-impact interfaith opportunities and resources based on your role and goals.