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HSI Mini-Grant Program
Cal Poly is committed to enhancing student success by fostering a culturally rich environment grounded in access, academic excellence, and social responsibility.
As we advance our mission to become a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), we are committed to thinking critically and holistically about what it means to truly serve the Cal Poly community. To support this vision, the Cal Poly HSI High Impact Mini-Grant Program provides resources for initiatives that strengthen our practice of servingness and advance our collective efforts toward achieving HSI designation.
Categories
Applicants are able to apply for mini-grants in, but not limited to, the following categories:
- Educational Initiatives: Projects that utilize the servingness framework to enhance educational opportunities and outcomes, 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 and their pathway towards holistic academic achievement.
Eligibility
All faculty, staff, and students including individuals, registered student organizations, departments, and units are eligible to apply.
Projects should align with Cal Poly’s mission, and pathway to becoming an HSI (see HSI Recommendations Executive Summary for reference).
Timeline
October 6 — Program announced at HSI 2025 Symposium (applications open)
October 31 — Application Deadline
November 7 — Committee reviews applications and selects recipients
November 14 — Recipients get notified via email
November 19 — Campus announcement in Cal Poly Report
November–December — Funds transferred to recipients
June 5 — Impact report template is distributed to recipients
July 31 — Impact report is due
Application Process
The HSI Mini-Grant Program application process guides students, faculty, and staff from assessing eligibility and preparing materials, to submitting their proposal and reporting on project outcomes. Below you’ll find a clear, step-by-step guide to help you navigate the HSI Mini-Grant application process.
Step 1 — Considering Applying
Begin by confirming your eligibility for the HSI High Impact Mini-Grant Program and assess your ability to successfully complete the proposed project. Requests can be made for $500-$5,000 and at least six total projects will be funded.
- For students, consider your club's capacity, existing funds, ability to execute intended projects, and ensure active student organization status.
- For faculty and staff, consider your department’s capacity, assess current student and staff support opportunities, and ensure grant will support a new or existing initiative.
Step 2 — Collect Neccessary Information
Proceed by collecting all the necessary information to draft content for your proposed mini-grant project.
- Project Lead and Contact Email
- Campus Affiliation
- Project Name
- Project Description and Timeline (include project timeline, outcomes, and goals—up to 500 words)
- Amount of Funding Requested and Budget Outline
- Type of Accounts Where Funds Will be Transferred (ie: Chartfield String)
Step 3 — Application and Review Period
To apply for an HSI Mini-Grant, please review “Step 2: Collect Necessary Information” section and fill out the HSI Mini-Grant application by Friday, Oct 31st at 11:59pm.
After you submit your application, a committee of Cal Poly students, faculty, and staff will review all project proposals. Approval of mini-grant applications will take place within a few weeks after the submission deadline, and recipients will be notified by mid-November.
If you are selected to receive a mini-grant, OUDI will contact you via email. We will ask recipients from departments across campus to be ready to connect with their Budget Analyst to help facilitate fund transfer.
Step 4 — HSI Mini-Grant Impact Report
To help us assess the impact of your mini grant project, you will need to complete an end of year impact report which includes information on the following:
- An overview of the activities, services, or programs executed with the funds
- Total number of people served with grant funds
- Demographic information about the people served
- Description of changes to the program from original proposal
- Greatest impact/outcomes and greatest challenges
- Vision for sustaining the project/program efforts beyond fund
- Submit high-resolution photos of your project to be featured during HSI events
For questions regarding our HSI High-Impact Mini-Grant application, submission, reporting, or any other inquiries, please email diversity@calpoly.edu.
| View Previous HSI Mini Grant Recipients |
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| AY24–25 Grant Recipients |
| AY23–24 Grant Recipients |
