Lang Center

for Civic & Social Responsibility

Projects for Peace is a global program that encourages young adults to develop innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world’s most pressing issues. Along the way, these student leaders increase their knowledge, improve skills, and establish identities as peacebuilders and changemakers.

Every year 100 or more student leaders are awarded a grant in the amount of $10,000 each to implement a “Project for Peace,” anywhere in the world, typically over summer break. Projects for Peace are grassroots activities that address root causes of conflict and promote peace. A hallmark of the Projects for Peace program is its flexibility: proposals may be submitted by any U.S. or international student enrolled at a partner institution; students may be any age or any major; they may implement the project alone or with others; the project may take place anywhere in the world, including in the U.S.

Projects for Peace was created in 2007 through the generosity of Kathryn W. Davis, a lifelong internationalist and philanthropist who died in 2013 at 106 years of age. She is the mother of Shelby M.C. Davis whose family funds the Davis UWC Scholars Program. Mrs. Davis’ legacy lives on through the continuation of Projects for Peace, sparking initiatives for building prospects for peace in the world. The Davis family and friends believe, like Mrs. Davis did, that today’s youth—tomorrow’s leaders—ought to be challenged to formulate and test their own ideas. 

Note: This grant is not in service of Swarthmore College and does not create an employment relationship between the student(s) and Swarthmore College.

To Apply

First years, sophomores, juniors and seniors who are enrolled at Swarthmore College and in good standing are eligible and encouraged to submit a *draft* application packet by 12 Noon (EDT) on Friday, December 2, 2022. The application is here. Draft applications will be reviewed and feedback provided before the final application deadline of 12 NOON (Eastern) on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

Proposal Content & Format

All project proposals require a heading that includes: Title of Project; Country/ies and/or tribal or ethnic lands where project will take place; Swarthmore College; Designated project leader name and all student team member names (For each student, please list their home country and college/university. As a reminder, should the proposal be funded, all listed participants must provide a signed Participating Student Funding Agreement). Note: No personal contact information (email addresses, phone numbers) should appear on the proposal.

Please use Arial 10 pt font with 1 inch margins (top, bottom, right, and left). 

The project proposal consists of:

• Narrative: The ideal length is two pages. It must not exceed three pages. This document may be submitted as a Word or PDF document. Kindly name the materials according to the following conventions: ProjectYear_Swarthmore College_projectitle_proposal 
  • Project summary: What issue(s) will be addressed? What approach(es) will be used? With whom will the grantee(s) work? What is the rationale for these choices?
  • Background: What preceded this proposal in terms of personal experience, forming relationships, developing knowledge, and other preparation?
  • Implementation: What plans have been made for use of funds, use of time, and contingencies?
  • Anticipated Results: What are the potential short and long-term outcomes for participants, community collaborators, and grantee(s)? How will progress be monitored?
  • We particularly welcome proposals that include any, or all, of the following:
    • A definition of peace, and an articulation of how the project may contribute to peace;
    • An innovative approach to the issue(s);
    • Appreciation for and sensitivity to the context, communities, and/or cultures where the project takes place;
    • Consideration of the dilemmas, challenges, or conflicts that may underlie the targeted issues or selected approaches;
    • Consideration of sustainability and/or scalability of the approach;
    • Critical self-awareness by the grantee.
• Budget: A one-page, itemized budget in Excel or Google Sheets. Kindly name the materials according to the following conventions: ProjectYear_Swarthmore College_projectitle_proposal 
  • Please refer to this budget guide and utilize this budget template.
  • All budgeted items are to be reported in U.S. dollars and should be grouped in the categories provided.
  • The submitted budget is an estimate of anticipated costs and it should demonstrate an anticipated full expenditure of grant funds ($10,000).
• Transcript(s),
• Resumé, and
• Letter(s) of support from a community partner.

Keep in mind that successful proposals (and final reports) may be made publicly available on the Projects for Peace website. Therefore, submitted proposals should not include content that could be perceived as sensitive or private. Additional details can be found here.

Some applicants may be invited to an interview during the first or second week of February. Final decisions will be rendered by Davis UWC Scholars office to campus officials in mid-March, with funds released in early - mid April. Projects should be completed during the summer, with final reports due to Jennifer Magee (jmagee1) by September 1. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Past Grant Recipients