Grants and Bursaries

International ACAC is proud to offer Opportunity Grants. The goal of this program is to support our members in the excellent work being done around the world, assisting students and families in the search for higher education. Projects, programs, and professional development funded by an Opportunity Grant should serve as a role model to the profession.

Learn about previous Opportunity Grant recipients.

Eligibility for Opportunity Grants

International ACAC membership is required to apply for an Opportunity Grant. Please note that Opportunity Grants can not be used to cover the cost of attendance to the International ACAC annual conference or Regional Institutes. The purpose of Opportunity Grants is to support the innovative programs of our members.

• Secondary, Post-Secondary, Individual, and CBO members may apply for an Opportunity Grant. For-Profit and Nonprofit members are not eligible.
• Applicants must be members in good standing of International ACAC for at least one year.
• Proposed Opportunity Grant applications must align with International ACAC’s Mission and may not directly fund student expenses (such as tuition, travel, fees, or supplies).
• Members are limited to one Opportunity Grant per calendar year. Additionally, the grant may be awarded to only one member per institution/organization per calendar year.
• Current members of the Executive Board may not apply for Opportunity Grants.
• Applicants who wish to design a new program or initiative are encouraged to apply; applications containing personal professional development and/or revenue-generating requests will not be considered.

Application Information

Applications must be submitted using the online application form. Applications must be submitted by the deadline stated on the form. The application and deadline information will be shared annually via email, but the application typically runs from February to May.

The application will request the following information:

• Details of the event or program and how the funds will be used to support it;
• A budget and outline of anticipated expenses;
• Information about additional funding secured, if applicable.

Applicants may request between $250 and $3,000 USD in funding. Members are encouraged to seek additional external funding support, if possible.

Examples of Opportunity Grant Proposals

• Expenses associated with the development and implementation of special projects such as design, printing, postage, venue rental, audio-visual equipment, transportation, event food, etc.
• Workshops for counselors in your region to support professional development.
• Buses to bring students from an under-resourced or under-served school to your college fairs or programming.
• Programming that aligns with and promotes International ACAC’s Mission and Guiding Principles, and promotes global interaction among counselors and institutions in support of secondary students transitioning to higher education.

Selection Process

The selection committee consists of a member from the Advocacy & Outreach Committee, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee, Finance Committee, Inclusion, Access, & Success Committee, and Professional Development Committee, as well as a member of the Leadership Team.

The potential positive impact and number of individuals served by the grant will be taken into account, with priority given to applicants who meet the following criteria:

• The application is complete, detailed, and thoughtful.
• The application provides a detailed plan for the use of the funds.
• The applicant has sought additional funding or matching funds from other sources. (Not required, but encouraged).
• The request provides assistance to under-served constituencies.
• The application includes details about sustainability of the project or program in future years (if applicable).

Follow-Up

Following selection as an Opportunity Grant recipient (grantee), the grantee must agree to:

• Use the grant within the calendar year in which it was received.
• Submit a detailed description of the use of the awarded funds and the outcomes achieved within one month following the event or program.
• Submit a detailed expense report and receipts of all expenses incurred using the International ACAC Expense Report Form within one month following the event or program. Reimbursement will not be issued until these items have been received by the Opportunity Grants Committee.
• Submit photos and a written report summarizing the overall experience within one month following the event or program. This information will be shared with the International ACAC membership on the website, through member communications, and/or through International ACAC’s social media accounts.

Questions? Please contact OppGrants@InternationalACAC.org.

Gathering Grants were created in 2023 to facilitate the getting-together of members from around the world. With 12 grants being offered per calendar year, at $250 USD per grant, members are encouraged to host casual social and networking events with colleagues in their area. Selection of these members will be determined based on the plan for the gathering and the region of the gathering, with a focus on spreading the grants over multiple regions.

Some ideas for Gatherings could include (but are not limited to):

We look forward to seeing your creative ideas for bringing people together!

Gathering Grants are paused at this time.

Photos from Previous Gatherings

International ACAC offers a Conference Bursary Program to encourage member participation in the annual conference. The goal is to support members who work at schools or universities that typically don't fully support attendance for these conferences, as well as independent counseling members and non-profit members who would benefit from the financial support. Please note that For-Profit members are not eligible for bursaries.

Conference Bursaries may cover up to the cost of registration fees and on-campus housing. All other travel expenses including flights, visas, ground transportation, and other incidentals are the responsibility of the attendee. Bursaries do not include the Pre-Conference Institute fee.

Priority will be given to:

• Applicants who are currently members of International ACAC;
• Applicants who submit a thoughtful and complete application;
• Applicants who have the additional financial support that will allow for them to travel to attend the conference;
• Applicants who will add a diverse perspective to the conference.
• 2024 Bursaries do not include the Pre-Conference Institute fee.
• *Note: For-Profit members are not eligible for bursaries.

Applicants for Conference Bursaries are required to: 

• Complete an application form.
• Submit a letter of support from their supervisor within two weeks of the award notification. If their school is able to partially fund their attendance, the letter should indicate the amount of support their school is willing to offer.
• If the bursary recipient is self-funding their travel expenses, they are asked to write a letter detailing that they will be self-funding.