Our Mission
The Grants Office supports AWC’s goals by assisting faculty and staff in seeking and securing grants for programs and projects that align with institution, division, and department objectives, in accordance with the strategic plan.
Grant Alert
Arizona Western College coordinates its decision making on grants through the President's Office. To obtain approval to seek a grant, please submit a request below.
Support includes:
- Assisting with developing concepts
- Identifying funding opportunities
- Facilitating internal and external stakeholders’ meetings
- Developing grant proposals and budgets
- Reviewing required documentation
- Submitting grant applications
- Notifying the board of awarded grants
Grant Process
The Director of Grants manages and facilitates the grant process at AWC.
- AWC’s president and cabinet devise an annual grant plan to support institution-wide initiatives with external funding. Our general grants emphases include: allied health and nursing, education and student success, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), technology infrastructure. Due to the recent economic climate, building renovation is at the forefront of current fundraising objectives, in support of the 2020 capital improvement plan.
- Grant writing is a collaborative effort that begins with a discussion with, and the approval of, the supervisor. Next, a grant alert is filed, which the Director of Grants will review to ensure that it includes research, follows all instructions, contains required documentation, and is complete. The Grant Director will then forward, with a Grants Office recommendation, to AWC’s President for final approval to proceed.
- If the President denies a grant alert, the prospective grant writer will be informed of the reason, and, if possible, be given assistance in addressing concerns.
- If the grant alert is approved, the grant’s authors will be notified that they may proceed. At that time, a timeline to coordinate efforts with the Grants Office must be provided to the Grant Director. The timeline will include a schedule of review of the final draft by: Personnel, Technology, Budget Office, Grants Office. The grant’s author will follow any instructions given to make any revisions as needed. Finally, the grant proposal is returned to the Director of Grants for final review, authorized signature, and submission.
- Upon notice of an award, the Director of Grants must be notified. The Director will be able to assist in contacting departments across the campus that must be notified and can help ensure the new initiative is successfully implemented.
Applying for a competitive grant is a dynamic process. The project’s proposal must address the needs of all relevant stakeholders, including students, the college, and the local community. Along with being practical and measurable, a successful proposal addresses the funders’ priorities and criteria.
Additionally, it provides solid evidence of the ability of faculty and staff to implement and manage the grant effectively. A winning grant program proposal includes how the goals of sustainability and institutionalization will be met at the end of the grant.
Grant Opportunities
AZ Humanities
AZ Humanities Project Grants
Project Grants are competitive grants supporting public programming using the humanities to provide context, depth, and perspective to the Arizona experience and explore issues of significance to Arizonans. Organizations may request up to $10,000 to support their program implementation.
Application Deadline: Letter of Intent, Due May 1, 2025
Award: Up to $10,000
Use this link to access information on how to apply:
Grant Opportunities - AZ Humanities
National Endowment for the Humanities
NEH Humanities Initiatives
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Division of Education Programs is accepting applications for the five Humanities Initiatives programs. These programs strengthen the teaching and study of the humanities at institutions of higher education by developing new or improving existing humanities programs, educational resources, or coursework.
Application Deadline: May 6, 2025
Award: $125,000
National Science Foundation
NSF CyberCorps Scholarship for Service
Description: The SFS Program welcomes proposals to establish or to continue scholarship programs in cybersecurity. A proposing institution must provide clearly documented evidence of a strong existing academic program in cybersecurity. The program goals are to: (1) increase the number of qualified and diverse cybersecurity candidates for government cybersecurity positions; (2) improve the national capacity for the education of cybersecurity professionals and research and development workforce; (3) hire, monitor, and retain high-quality CyberCorps® graduates in the cybersecurity mission of the Federal Government; and (4) strengthen partnerships between institutions of higher education and federal, state, local, and tribal governments. While all three agencies work together on all four goals, NSF’s strength is in the first two goals; OPM’s in goal (3); and DHS in goal (4).
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
Award Ceiling: TBD
Link: nsf23574.pdf
Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program
Union Pacific Railroad
Purpose of Program: Throughout its existence, the success of Union Pacific's business has been inextricably linked to the economic and community wellbeing of cities and towns across the nation. We take pride in the role we have played in helping communities thrive and believe the impact we can have on local communities is greatest when it is authentic to our history and reflective of the diverse company we are today. As such, we have carefully aligned our Local Grants cause areas to our company's unique heritage, strengths, and assets. Specifically, we prioritize funding for direct services and efforts that build the capacity of organizations focused on the following causes within our local operating communities. Focus areas include: safety, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability.
Application Deadline: May 14, 2025
Award: $10,000 - $30,000
https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/foundation/local-grants/app-process-timeline/index.htm