Student Impact Grant


Student Impact Grants provide funding for a variety of University of Iowa undergraduate and graduate student activities outside the classroom, such as research, travel, and service projects. The goal is to enable students to pursue opportunities that might not otherwise be possible without financial assistance.

The President's Office has generously allocated $7,000 per semester to help enhance the student experience through these grants. The designated funds come from generous philanthropic gifts made by alumni and friends who have chosen to provide unrestricted support to the university.

Grants are awarded twice a year. Applications are typically accepted for the summer/fall semester beginning in January and for the winter/spring semester beginning in September.

The grants are made possible by a partnership between the Office of the President and Student Advancement Network (SAN).

GRANT GUIDELINES

Award Application Process

Applications will be considered for funding based on the timeline below. An online form will be available for students and student groups to use when the application period opens. A maximum of $7,000 in total grants will be awarded. Grant amounts will range from $100-$1,000 awards.

Summer and Fall 2025 Semester Award Grant Cycle

  • January 27: Application opens
  • February 21: Application deadline (5 p.m.)
  • April 11: Grant recipients will be notified about funding requests for winter or spring semester.
  • April 21: Signed recipient agreement form due
  • April 29: Winter/Spring 2024 grant recipient presentations detailing how the funds were used and how the grant enhanced the recipient’s Iowa experience. This event is open to the public.
  • May 19: Award transfers/payments for summer projects
  • August 25: Award transfers/payments for fall projects
  • December 2: Summer/Fall 2025 grant recipient presentations detailing how the funds were used and how the grant enhanced the recipient's Iowa experience. This event is open to the public.

Student Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must be enrolled full time as a University of Iowa undergraduate or graduate student for the fall 2025 semester and be in good standing as defined in the University of Iowa Code of Student Life.
  • Student groups or organizations must be recognized by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership or by a University of Iowa department.
  • If your program is funded in full by other programs or funding methods your program is not eligible.
  • Program/experience must abide by all university guidelines. Grant funding does not permit activities that conflict with these guidelines.
  • Program/experience must abide by all university research guidelines. Grant funding does not permit activities that conflict with Institutional Review Board (IRB) guidelines. Funding does not provide IRB permission for the project.
  • Funding requests must be shown to improve or enhance the student experience and may not be used to reimburse research subjects. Recipients will share about this outcome during a biannual Student Impact Grant Presentation event.
  • Once a student receives a grant, they are not eligible for another University of Iowa Center for Advancement student grant within the next three years.
  • Grants are not renewable.
  • Recipients must present during the Summer/Fall grant recipient presentation detailing how the funds were used and how your Iowa experience was enhanced because of this award. Presentations will be held on Dec. 2, 2025.

Review Process

Members of the University of Iowa Student Advancement Network will review all submissions and make a recommendation. A University of Iowa Center for Advancement employee will oversee the scoring and review process. After review, recommendations will be sent to the Office of the President, which will make the final decision on all grant awards.

Awardees will then be notified of their selection to receive a grant, and payment will be provided by the Office of the President through a transfer to the student's U-Bill or student organization's account. The University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid will be consulted to ensure that funding does not affect other financial aid that a student may receive.

If you have questions, please contact Hannah McClintock at hannah.mcclintock@foriowa.org.

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Iowa Music School alumni Kara Santos and Kira Wharton are part of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band performs during the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021. Photo credit: United States Marine Band A flutist and music librarian ? both University of Iowa School of Music graduates ? participated in the inauguration celebration of President Joe Biden. Flutist Gunnery Sergeant Kara Santos (01MA, 05DMA) and Librarian Master Sergeant Kira Wharton (95MA, 97DMA) are members of "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, which performed "Hail to the Chief" and accompanied Lady Gaga during the national anthem at the inauguration on January 20. Gunnery Sgt. Santos is originally from Iowa City and earned her master's degree in 2001 and doctorate in flute performance in 2005 from the UI. Before joining the Marine Band, she performed as principal flute for the Quad City Symphony in Davenport, Iowa, and for the Evansville Philharmonic in Indiana. Librarian Master Sergeant Wharton earned a master's degree in music history in 1995 and a doctor of musical arts in 1997 from the UI. During the inauguration, she managed the music sheets and remained on the platform with the band during the ceremony. In her role, she regularly prepares music for performances and assists with maintaining the music library. "The President's Own" United States Marine Band was founded in 1798 and has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. Its mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. University of Iowa School of Music graduate Kara Santos plays the flute during President Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20, 2021. Photo credit: United States Marine Band

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