All applications must include at least one (1) UBC student and one (1) community organization who are listed on the application. 

Student eligibility

✓ Undergraduate and masters degree students are eligible for CCEL grants. 

✓ Domestic and International students are eligible.

✓  Students may apply individually, or as a team of students.

✓  Students studying out of UBC’s Vancouver’s campus. Okanagan-based students should refer to the UBC-O campus funding opportunities page.

✓  Students currently on co-op are eligible.

✓  Students may submit a maximum of one application per cycle.

X  PhD students are not eligible.

X  Diploma, certificate and non-degree students are not eligible for CCEL grants.

Community partner organization eligibility

✓ Eligible Community partner organizations include nonprofits, public sector organizations, registered charities, societies, cooperatives, First Nations Communities, schools and municipal, federal or provincial government offices.

✓ If your project involves community partners beyond the primary partner organization listed on the application, a representative from each partner organization must complete this form. All completed forms may be submitted together with the letter of endorsement from the primary partner.

X  Partnerships with for-profit businesses are not eligible.

X  UBC student clubs/groups are not eligible. However, a student club/group member can apply for funds as long as there still is a partnership with an eligible community organization.

X  A UBC student cannot receive funds to partner with an organization they founded or co-founded.

* If a student wishes to partner with a community organization that was founded by a current or former student, and the organization is comprised primarily of students, please check in with a grants advisor to determine the organization’s eligibility as a potential community partner.

Additional project eligibility guidelines

✓ Projects must take place in BC.

✓ Projects must take place off-campus, with primary audiences and beneficiaries being community members unaffiliated with UBC – that is, individuals who are not UBC students, faculty or staff. 

X Funding will not be considered for the same project in the following year or in subsequent years if the project is unchanged.

• Students are not limited in the number of grants received. However, after having been awarded an initial grant, subsequent applications must demonstrate project innovations and how learning is measured.
• If you have been awarded a CCEL grant, you must fulfill reporting requirements before you can apply for new funding. Reporting requirements include a
  • Project Report detailing project outcomes and learning, and;
  • An expense report.

X Funding shall not be used for the personal gain of individuals, or to fund an organization’s ongoing operational or core expenses.

X Applications submitted after an event or project has been completed are ineligible.

X Projects that are deemed politically partisan may not be considered.

X Your grant project cannot be for course-credit. Projects that are extensions of, or innovations on course-work are eligible, but should be discussed with a grants advisor to be sure.

X Registration or travel to academic conferences are not eligible.

All project expenses must adhere to UBC Expenditure Guidelines.

Students are allowed to secure additional sources of funding to support the project or initiative. Any funds secured or applied for prior to the application should be disclosed in the submitted budget (also known as “in-kind” support/funding).

• Commonly expensed line items include: space rentals, equipment rentals, food (snacks, catered meals), project materials, gifts (excluding alcohol), speaker and facilitator fees, travel (transit, car share, ride-hailing, personal mileage), and tokens of appreciation. 
• The budget proposal should outline all project costs, not just the requested grant amount. The budget should provide a fully itemized project expense summary.
• Students are allowed to secure additional sources of funding to support the project or initiative. Any funds secured or applied for prior to the application should be disclosed in the submitted budget (also known as “in-kind” support/funding).

Connect to Community Grant	Chapman and Innovation Grant	Global Fund
Funds may not be allocated towards a student stipend.	Up to 30% of the requested funds can be allocated towards a student stipend.	Up to 20% of the requested funds can be allocated towards a student stipend.
Some funds may be allocated towards admin costs on a case-by-case basis. Connect with Jacquie to inquire further.	Up to 12% of the requested funds can be allocated towards compensating the community partner organisation for admin costs associated with hosting and supporting the student throughout the project. CCEL Grant funds are not intended to be used towards shared organization operational costs e.g., office rent, utilities, etc.

Submitting a Notice of Intent (NOI) is optional but highly recommended as it can enhance your chances of building a stronger application and provide you with early access to valuable resources and support. The deadline to submit an NOI is Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59 pm.

Connect to Community Grant Scoring Rubric

Chapman & Innovation Scoring Rubric

Global Fund Scoring Rubric

Connect to Community Grant	Chapman and Innovation Grant	Global Fund
Adjudicated internally by a committee of three (3) CCEL staff.	Adjudicated by a committee of seven (7), comprised of two (2) UBC staff or faculty, two (2) former CCEL grant recipients, two (2) community partner representatives and one (1) CCEL chair.	Adjudicated by a committee of five (5), comprised of two (2) AMS representatives, one (1)  UBC staff or faculty, one (1) community partner representative and one (1) CCEL chair.
All adjudicators are instructed to adhere to the following scoring guidelines, to ensure fair and equitable access to grants.

Funding decisions are announced in April, and most projects launch in May. 

An opportunity to learn about the CCEL grants application process and how to build a strong application. Bring your questions, as there will be time to address them at the end of the session. We look forward to welcoming you.

Thursday, November 5, 2026
12 – 1 p.m. PDT

Register Here (create button)

Note: If you’re unavailable to attend this session live, please do register anyways because a link to the recording will be shared with all those registered.

Got questions about applying for a CCEL grant? This FAQ section covers the most common questions applicants ask, like who’s eligible, what to include in your project plan and budget, and what the chances are of getting funded. 

We can support you by :

Anything else related to applying for a CCEL grant!

• Connecting you with a community partner organization
• Exploring, scoping out and evaluating project ideas/feasibility
• Answering questions about the application process
• Determining project eligibility
• Offering resources for grant writing and reviewing drafts
• Creating and revising project budgets

This section shares practical tips to help you craft a strong application, such as clearly outlining your project goals and budget or showing how your work will make an impact in your target community. Whether you’re applying for the first time or refining a previous submission, these insights can boost your chances of success.