Projects for Peace Award

First campus deadline (full application due): Wednesday, January 7, 2026

IMPORTANT NOTE: Each year, Whitman College may select one nominated project and one alternate project to forward to the national Projects for Peace Award review committee. To be considered for a college nomination, interested applicants are required to submit their application via this Google Form by the first campus deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.

Campus interviews: mid January 2026

If selected as the nominee or alternate:
Final campus deadline (all materials due): February 1, 2026
National deadline: February 4, 2026

Eligibility requirements:

• Undergraduates (including seniors who would complete their projects in the summer after graduation)
• Individuals or groups
• Dedicated interest in conflict prevention, resolution, or reconciliation

Award summary and conditions: Projects for Peace is an initiative for students at Davis UWC partner schools, including Whitman, to design grassroots projects for the summer - anywhere in the world - which promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties. The program encourages applicants to use their creativity to design projects and employ innovative techniques for engaging project participants in ways that focus on conflict resolution, reconciliation, building understanding, and breaking down the barriers that cause conflict. Projects that work to maintain peace will be selected for funding at $10,000 each.  

Application process: By the first campus deadline, applicants submit all materials to this Google Form, with the exception of the Letter of Recommendation which should be emailed directly to Jenny Stratton at strattjm@whitman.edu. Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Project Cycle management tool for guidance in creating a thoughtful, meaningful project. 

Application requirements:

• Project narrative (two pages max, single spaced) that describes the project (who, what, when, where, how), including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact 
• Statements of approval from all parties and organizations involved in the project 
• Budget (using this template and set of instructions)
• Transcript(s) for each applicant (unofficial)
• Letter of recommendation (1) and contact information for a second recommender (required of each applicant)

Campus advisor: Director for Fellowships and Grants, Dr. Jessica Hernandez (hernand2@whitman.edu)

Selection process:

• A campus committee reviews all proposals and will conduct 25-minute interviews with selected applicants.
• The committee selects one nominee and one alternate, as appropriate.
• Final applications of the nominee and alternate will be forwarded electronically by the Fellowships and Grants team to the Projects for Peace Headquarters at Middlebury College.
• Final review and selection of all projects rests solely with the Projects for Peace Program at Middlebury College.
• Middlebury sends project funds to each school for distribution to grant recipients. Grants are made upon assurance that the project proposed will be undertaken during the upcoming summer. 

Announcement date: March

https://www.middlebury.edu/office/projects-for-peace