Summer Grants

FOUR SUMMER GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

DAVIS PROJECTS FOR PEACE

MATTSON SUMMER EXPERIENCE FUND

PAT CROWNER SUMMER GRANT IN NICARAGUA

ADAMS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS

DAVIS PROJECTS FOR PEACE

Every year, more than 100 student leaders from colleges across the U.S. are awarded $10,000 grants to implement a summer Project for Peace. The program encourages college students to develop innovative, community-centered, and scalable responses to the world's most pressing issues. These projects are focused on diverse issues and are implemented all over the world.

To be eligible:

  • Applicants must be a current undergraduate student (or group of students) at Gettysburg College.
  • All projects must be completed during the summer of 2026.
  • Graduating seniors are eligible if they plan to complete their projects during the summer of 2026.
  • It is up to interested students to define what a "project for peace" might be. We hope to encourage creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Projects may be undertaken anywhere in the world, including in the U.S.
  • Davis funding will be limited to $10,000, but projects can apply for and receive funding from other organizations in addition to their Davis funding.

To apply:

  • A student (or group of Gettysburg College students) must prepare a written statement that describes the project (who, what, where, how), including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact (not to exceed two pages) as well as a budget (one separate page).
  • Applicants are encouraged to read more about the Projects for Peace program at their official website. However, applicants should not contact Projects for Peace or Middlebury College directly, and all communications and questions about applications and proposed projects should be directed to Jeff Rioux (jrioux@gettysburg.edu).
  • Consult with a CPS staff member once a draft is written. Must be completed by January 9, 2026, one week in advance of the final due date.
  • Proposals should include pre-approval of all parties and organizations involved in the project, including a letter of support from a primary community partner.
  • The two-page proposal and one-page budget should be submitted via email to thoff@gettysburg.edu by January 16, 2026 at 4pm. 

MATTSON SUMMER EXPERIENCE FUND

Develop an innovative social justice project and you could receive a grant up to $2,500!

Established in honor of Rev. Karl J. Mattson, founding director of the Center for Public Service, the Mattson Fund seeks to support innovative social justice projects developed by Gettysburg College students.

To be eligible:

  • Applicants must be a current undergraduate student (or group of students) at Gettysburg College.
  • All projects must be completed during the summer of 2026.
  • Graduating seniors are eligible if they plan to complete their projects during the summer of 2026.
  • It is up to interested students to define what a "social justice project" might be. We hope to encourage creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Projects may be undertaken anywhere in the world, including in the U.S.
  • Mattson funding will be limited to $2,500, but projects can apply for and receive funding from other organizations in addition to their Mattson funding.

To apply:

  • A student (or group of Gettysburg College students) must prepare a written statement that describes the project (who, what, where, how), including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact (not to exceed two pages) as well as a budget (one separate page).
  • Proposals should include pre-approval of all parties and organizations involved in the project.
  • Consult with a CPS staff member once a draft is written. Must be completed by January 9, 2026, one week in advance of the final due date.
  • The two-page proposal and one-page budget should be submitted via email to thoff@gettysburg.edu by January 16, 2026 at 4pm.
  • All communication about applications and proposed projects should be directed to Jeff Rioux (jrioux@gettysburg.edu).

PAT CROWNER SUMMER GRANT

Our partners at Project Gettysburg-León (PGL) have contributed $5,000 for college students to develop an innovative project to be implemented in or around the two cities with whom we foster a sister city relationship. This year, projects may only be proposed for León, Nicaragua.

This summer grant was established by PGL to honor the memory of Pat Crowner, a longtime PGL member who passed away in July of 2024.

To be eligible:

  • Applicants must be a current undergraduate student (or group of students) at Gettysburg College.
  • All projects must be completed during the summer of 2026.
  • Graduating seniors are eligible if they plan to complete their projects during the summer of 2025.
  • PGL is open to projects that address any issue in and around León, Nicaragua. We hope to encourage creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. 
  • Funding will be limited to $5000, but projects can apply for and receive funding from other organizations to supplement this funding.

To apply:

  • Interested students are encouraged to read about Project Gettysburg-León.
  • For projects in Nicaragua, students should contact the country director of PGL in Nicaragua (country.director@gettysburg-leon.org) to discuss and generate feasible ideas.
  • Applicants must prepare a written statement that describes the project (who, what, where, how), including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact (not to exceed two pages) as well as a budget (one separate page).
  • Proposals should include pre-approval of all parties and organizations involved in the project.
  • Consult with a CPS staff member once a draft is written. Must be completed by January 9, 2026, one week in advance of the final due date. 
  • The two-page proposal and one-page budget should be submitted via email to thoff@gettysburg.edu by January 16, 2026 at 4pm.
  • Communication about applications and proposed projects should be directed to both Jeff Rioux (jrioux@gettysburg.edu) and to PGL's Country Director Greg Bowles (country.director@gettysburg-leon.org).

ADAMS COUNTY COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS

Established through generous grant funding by PNC Bank, these grants will support student-led community-based projects that address confirmed unmet needs in the Adams County area. On average, projects typically range in budget between $2,500 and $4,000.

To be eligible:

  • Applicants must be a current undergraduate student (or group of students) at Gettysburg College.
  • All projects must be completed during the summer of 2026.
  • Graduating seniors are eligible if they plan to complete their projects during the summer of 2026.
  • It is up to interested students to work with community partners and leaders to identify unmet needs and propose thoughtful projects. We hope to encourage creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Projects may be undertaken anywhere in Adams County.
  • ACCIGs will be limited to no more than $4,000, but projects can apply for and receive funding from other organizations in addition to this funding.

To apply:

  • A student (or group of Gettysburg College students) must prepare a written statement that describes the project (who, what, where, how), including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact (not to exceed two pages) as well as a budget (one separate page).
  • Proposals should include pre-approval of all parties and organizations involved in the project.
  • Consult with a CPS staff member once a draft is written. Must be completed by January 9, 2026, one week in advance of the final due date.
  • The two-page proposal and one-page budget should be submitted via email to thoff@gettysburg.edu by January 16, 2026 at 4pm.
  • All communication about applications and proposed projects should be directed to Jeff Rioux (jrioux@gettysburg.edu).