Grants offered by the Patricelli Center

  • New Venture Awards (NVA)

    The Patricelli Center New Venture Awards (NVA), formerly known as the Seed Grants, are three $6,000 awards that aim to recognize and support impactful student projects, organizations, and companies across sectors and communitiesAs of Spring 2024, NVA finalists will each receive a $3,000 grant. 

    NVA applicants and recipients join a vibrant community of Wesleyan student and alumni ventures, and receive the following:

    • Advising and coaching support.
    • Special invitations to fully-funded engagements (conferences, speaking opportunities, etc.) at leading institutions across government, academia, media, and the arts. 
    • Access to Patricelli Center community and venture directory. 

     

    2024 details, eligibility, and application information

    Read about past winners: 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022

    | 2023

    Watch past pitches

  • Entrepreneurship Microgrants

    $200-$1000 grants for makers, artists, freelancers, and other entrepreneurs to create, test, and commercialize. These grants are intended to incentivize "learning by doing" and may be used for prototyping, customer discovery, purchasing supplies, paying staff, e-commerce platform fees, and more. 

    Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until the fund is depleted each academic year. Students are encouraged to meet with a PCSE advisor before submitting an application.

    Grantees will be required to submit a public report reflecting on how they used the grant and offering advice for other student entrepreneurs. You can read about past grantees here.  

    Apply Here

  • Davis Projects for Peace

    $10,000 grants for grassroots summer projects anywhere in the world which promote peace and address the root causes of conflict among parties.  

    2024 details, eligibility, and application 

    Read about past Wesleyan grantees: 200720082009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 201320142015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022| 2023

  • Social Impact and Entrepreneurship Conference Fund

    Up to $500 to attend social impact or entrepreneurship conferences and events. Intended to support students who seek to build their skills and networks by attending off-campus gatherings.

    Applications will be reviewed within 10 business days and may receive partial funding. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis until the fund is depleted each academic year. Applicants are encouraged to read our primer and meet with a PCSE advisor to talk about ways to get the most out of attending a conference. Grantees must submit a public report reflecting on the conference experience and offering advice for students who may want to attend in the future. You can read reports from past grantees here.

    Apply Here

  • Map The System

    Map the System challenges students to think differently about social and environmental change -- starting with understanding a problem and its wider context, rather than jumping straight into a business plan or an idea for a quick fix. One finalist/team from Wesleyan will receive funding to attend the Global Finals at the University of Oxford and compete for cash prizes to continue their work.

    Contact abadr@wesleyan.edu to learn more. 

  • PCSE Summer Experience/Internship Grant

    Up to $5,000 for rising juniors and seniors receiving need-based financial aid who plan to do social impact or entrepreneurship work during summer break.

    Visit the Gordon Career Center for details 

Other Social Impact and Entrepreneurship Grants for Wesleyan Students