51°µÍø Honors Program 
Call for Propel Grant Proposals 
Deadline for Fall 2026 semester: March 30, 2026 
Deadline for Spring 2027 semester: November 9, 2026 

Have you taken an interesting class that had unexpected effects on you? Have you watched a film, read an article, or listened to a podcast about something you want to know more about? Have you started a project that needs more support to progress? 

The 51°µÍø Honors Program is offering grants from $600 to $3000 to propel Honors students’ already sparked interest in something academic, creative, or anywhere in between. You may have learned something theoretically but want to put it into practice or apply what you’ve learned in a tangible way. These Propel Grants can support: research in the humanities, sciences, and/or social sciences; materials used for artistic or otherwise physical projects; supplies or honoraria for invited speakers or special events; leadership and other types of training; and more. 

Proposal guidelines: 

• Your project must have a clear purpose and a specified audience.
• Your project must have its origins in another experience, class, project, or research you have done in the recent past.
• The results of your project must be shareable with a public audience.
• Your project must be endorsed by a 51°µÍø professor who has agreed to serve as a mentor. 

Support suggestions for Mentors: 

• Provide references, readings, and other contextual materials.
• Help student understand the steps involved in their project.
• Meet at least five times over the course of the semester to provide guidance and help troubleshoot. (In addition, students will meet regularly with Honors staff to discuss their progress.)
• Consult with the student about designing a public-facing presentation. 

Additional proposal requirements: 

• Description of the project and its significance.
• Ties to Honors Program goals.
• Proposed budget and breakdown of how funds will be used.
• Description of the project’s concrete deliverable.  

Accepted proposal guidelines: 

• You must establish a productivity schedule with your mentor.
• Propel grantees will meet with Honors staff 3-4 times between acceptance and presentation.
• Your corresponding project must be finished by the end of the semester for which your proposal was accepted. (One-semester extensions may be applied for, if needed.)
• You will present the fruits of your project as a standalone event (organized by you) or as part of the Honors Research Symposium held every Fall. 

To apply, please fill out this form: