Cal Poly HSI High Impact Mini-Grant Program

Cal Poly strives to be a university that enhances student success by creating a culturally rich environment of diversity and inclusion, academic excellence, and social responsibility. To further our mission of becoming an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) that thinks critically and holistically about serving the Latinx/e community, we are excited to announce the Cal Poly HSI High Impact Mini-Grant Program for AY23-24. This program is designed to support initiatives that advance our goals of "servingness" in our efforts to become an HSI. Up to ten mini-grants will be awarded ranging from $500 to $5,000 for projects and programs that demonstrate a strong potential to holistically impact the Latinx/e community at Cal Poly.  

Eligibility: 

All faculty, staff, and students at Cal Poly are eligible to apply including individuals, organizations, departments, and units. 

Project Focus: Proposed projects should align with the mission of Cal Poly's pathway to becoming an HSI and center the experiences of the Latinx/e community. 

Grant Categories: 

Applicants may apply for mini-grants in the following categories: 

• Educational Initiatives: Projects that enhance educational opportunities and outcomes for Latinx/e students, such as curriculum development, mentorship programs, or academic support services. 
• Cultural and Community Engagement: Initiatives that promote Latinx/e culture, heritage, and community engagement on campus, including cultural events, workshops, and awareness campaigns. 
• Research and Innovation: Projects that support research endeavors and innovations that address issues relevant to the Latinx/e community or contribute to the advancement of Cal Poly’s HSI status in STEM, as a Predominantly White Institution, as a CSU etc.  

Application Process: 

Submission: All applications must be submitted via Microsoft Form. Applications should detail the project's goals, budget, timeline, and expected outcomes. Include information on how the project aligns with Cal Poly's HSI mission. 

Applications are closed

Review: Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of representatives from the HSI Implementation Task Force.  

Reporting and Accountability: 

Recipients of mini-grants are required to provide a brief report upon completion of their project, summarizing the outcomes, lessons learned, and how the project contributed to Cal Poly's HSI mission. This information will be used to assess the impact of the program. 

The application deadline for the Cal Poly HSI Mini-Grant Program is November 30 

Applications are now closed

Contact Information: 

For questions or additional information, please contact the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion at diversity@calpoly.edu

Cal Poly is excited to support projects and programs that enhance our commitment to becoming an HSI that truly understands and serves the Latinx/e community. We encourage all eligible applicants to submit proposals that will contribute to this important mission.