BreakingGround Faculty & Staff Grants: Support Learning for Change

Do you have an idea for a class, program, or project to help UMBC community members (including students) engage in social change? Need some funding to make it real?

The BreakingGround initiative provides grants of up to $2,500 to UMBC faculty, staff, and students who want to launch or strengthen educational and community-building projects. These projects should foster civic agency: the ability to initiate and make meaningful contributions to social change. 

Funding can be used flexibly. Past awardees have supported:

• Experiential learning opportunities that immerse learners in real-world problem solving.
• Collaborative research projects with students and community partners.
• Major redesigns of existing courses to center civic agency and engagement.
• Connections with social changemakers and local communities.

You can explore examples of previous projects on the BreakingGround website (URL below).

How to apply: Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, and applicants are notified within four weeks. Visit the BreakingGround website for details: https://civiclife.umbc.edu/breakingground/

Info session: Join us virtually on October 29, 2025 at noon to learn more about the program and ask questions. Select "Going Virtually" below to RSVP.

If you'd like to discuss an idea before applying, please reach out to the Center for Democracy and Civic Life at civiclife@umbc.edu.