The University of Oregon's Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics awards grants annually to community and statewide organizations, and University of Oregon faculty, departments, programs, and student organizations to support projects, events and activities related to the Center’s two-year themes of inquiry. Past projects include lectures, conferences, classes, grassroots trainings, education on pressing policy issues, a mobile lending-library of tools for unhoused Eugenians, performances, student journals, research resulting in policy proposals, film festivals, and much more. 

Project activities funded by the Wayne Morse Center must take place during the University of Oregon's fiscal year, which begins July 1 and ends on June 30 the following year. The Center is able to release award funding at the beginning of August. 

Most awards range from $2,000 to $6,000; the maximum amount is $10,000.

Theme of Inquiry
In our 2023-25 inquiry into Defending Democracy, the Wayne Morse Center is exploring the crisis of democracy in the United States by reckoning with problems and considering solutions. Our goal with the return of the Project Grant program is to help fund efforts that protect and promote a healthy, inclusive democracy, including at the local and state level. We envision projects that advance meaningful and effective civic engagement, expand access to the ballot box, foster civil dialogue, uphold the rule of law, and make our civic institutions more equitable and just. The theme is intentionally broad. Individuals and communities will have different perspectives on what a healthy, inclusive democracy looks like.

Grant Eligibility
The Project Grant program is open to community organizations (including nonprofits and schools), University of Oregon faculty, departments,  programs, and student groups. The Center does not offer grants to governmental or quasi-governmental organizations (except for schools), but such organizations may partner with a community organization or university department to jointly submit a proposal. Additionally, the Center is unable to fund projects that involve advocacy for or against a specific ballot measure, constitutional amendment, or candidate for office. Projects that educate the public on the anticipated impacts of a ballot measure or constitutional amendment are acceptable. 

We are looking for applicants with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences to enhance the conversation at the Center. Awarded funds may be used for program expenses, speaker honoraria and travel, materials, summer support for scholarly work, and faculty release time. If you are unsure if a proposed expense would be covered, please ask.

Duties and Conditions

• Projects must be related to the Wayne Morse Center's current theme of inquiry.
• Projects must impact the University of Oregon and/or Oregon communities.
• The Center's project grant year aligns with the University of Oregon's fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. Projects must be completed between those dates. If the proposed activities are part of a larger project on a longer timeline, the activities or events funded by the grant must occur during that fiscal year. If the grantee is unable to use the award during that time period, the award is forfeited.
• Projects must be independently administered by the grantee, without reliance on the staff of the Wayne Morse Center. Applicants must show they have the capacity to organize and carry out the project successfully.
• Details of project events (dates, times, locations, speakers, etc.) must be provided to the Wayne Morse Center as early as possible, preferably three months prior to the event.
• Projects must include the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics as a supporter on all printed materials, publicity and websites. We can provide you with a logo.
• Within one month of completion of all work associated with the grant, grantees should submit a report to the Wayne Morse Center including a description of how the money was used, an explanation of the funded activities, and a summary of the goals achieved through the grant.

Selection Process
The following criteria are considered:

• Relevance to the theme of “Defending Democracy,” with an emphasis on promoting a healthy, inclusive democracy rather than on identifying threats and problems. (The Center's public public programming this past year has focused on the latter.)
• Capacity of the individual or organization to complete the project successfully.
• Strength of links to the University of Oregon, the community, and/or the state of Oregon.
• Impact on the lives of individuals or the community and/or or impact on scholarship or policy.
• Overall quality of the proposal, including whether the applicant follows the directions listed below.

Application
Proposals must be written in language accessible to a variety of readers. Applicants must fill out the online application, which includes the following parts:

1. Project title
2. Short summary of project (100-word maximum)
3. Grant amount requested
4. Description of the project (1000-word maximum) Please provide more details, including the impact you hope the project will have, proposed speakers (if any), volunteers and/or staff who will complete the project, publicity plan (if applicable), and other relevant information. Proposals should address the project's connections to the University of Oregon and/or community.
5. Cosponsors, if any
6. Project timeline, including publicity, if applicable
7. Target audience or participants
8. Statement of qualifications Describe your qualifications to carry out the project. Explain your experience in administering similar projects and your capacity to complete the project. University applicants should demonstrate departmental support for the project.
9. Resumé (resumé/s limited to 2 pages per person, combined into one PDF)
10. Project budget Indicate other sources of funding or in-kind support, if any. Be sure to include expenses for outreach and publicity.
11. Supporting materials. Additional materials are NOT required. (Sometimes less is more.)

The selection committee may request additional information from applicants.

Deadline
Applications for the 2024-25 Project Grant year are due on Tuesday, May 28, by noon. 
Applicants will be notified of the selection committee’s decision on or about June 6, 2024.

Apply Now

If you have questions, please email Wayne Morse Center Co-director Rebecca Dinwoodie at rcd@uoregon.edu or call 541-346-3700.