Service Learning at Mailman Mini Grant

The Service Learning at Mailman (SLaM) Mini Grant initiative supports the integration of service learning experiences by revising existing coursework anc expanding new course offerings. Each mini-grant of $5,000.00 will help faculty develop and/or expand upon existing community-engaged initiatives for the Spring and Fall 2027 semesters.

Eligibility

Employees of Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health who fall in one of the following groups are eligible to apply for this grant: full-time faculty, part-time faculty, and professional teaching staff.  Funds are intended to focus on modifying current offerings.

Application Process

There will be two application options.

• For the Spring 2027 semester, the application deadline is October 5, 2026, and two (2) awards will be distributed by October 31.
• For the Fall 2027 semester, the application deadline will be February 15,2027, and three (3) awards will be distributed March 5, 2027.

Successful applicants will also be eligible to receive a second award of $1,000 for the 2027-28 academic year.

Criteria for Mini-Grant Proposal 

• Explanation of how the service-learning experience will relate to the academic content of the course.  Service activities must be appropriate to class content and the faculty member’s discipline.
• Details of the service-learning project, which demonstrate learning and the fulfillment of course objectives through relevant academic activity.
• Evidence of relationship between faculty and the community partner/s.    
• Description of the process that the faculty member and community partner/s followed to develop the service-learning project, plan to promote student learning and a summary of potential benefits to the community partner. 
• Outline of how students will be prepared to work in community settings
• Anticipated challenges  
• Evaluation plan describing how data about the project's effectiveness and learning outcomes
• Budget justification 

Faculty preparing the application and their subsequent courses are encouraged to review the guidance manual.

Additionally, faculty interested in obtaining consultation on preparing their application, may contact Wanda Garcia at wg34@cumc.columbia.edu to set up an appointment to discuss their proposal.