Small Grants Program

The School of Cities’ Small Grants Program supports knowledge mobilization and translation, public policy engagement, curricular innovations, and other activities that address urban issues and contribute to efforts that make cities more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and just. Examples include, but are not limited to, public engagement events and initiatives, community-informed interventions, organizing conferences and symposia, art practice and creative pedagogies, and teaching & learning activities.

Objective

The School aims to reflect the diversity of people and communities of the local urban region. It is especially committed to the active participation of under-represented and equity-deserving groups, Indigenous, Black, immigrant, racialized, LGBTQ2S+ people and people with disabilities.

The School reflects a global sense of urbanism, with attention to the interplay between local and global contexts and the relationships and networks that shape a sense of place. Locally, its scope includes the cities and metropolitan areas that comprise the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The School’s core values will inform its partnerships. It seeks meaningful collaborations with its partners, recognizing that communities and their members are not sites or objects of research, but actors, co-creators, and collaborators in knowledge-making projects.

The School of Cities is focusing on the topics of climate and justice in cities and belonging, migration and thriving. Thus, we particularly welcome projects addressing the intersection of urban vulnerability and climate change and adaptation and creating a sence of thriving through belonging and migration , however, all applications will be reviewed and considered.

Click here to read answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Criteria & Eligibility

Maximum of $5,000 per initiative, with the majority of awards ranging from $1,000-$1,500;

Individual faculty and staff members, and recognized UofT student groups, are eligible to apply;

For current student applicants, University of Toronto department, program, recognized student group, faculty member or other formal university organization must also be a co-sponsor (can be non-budgetary). This grant is not meant to fund individual student research projects;

The initiative must focus on knowledge mobilization and translation, public policy engagement, curricular innovations and activities that address urban issues;

Eligible expenses: research assistance, graphic design, writing, hosting/technology expenses, room rental, catering, event promotion, travel expenses, honorariums for guest speakers, field trips. Other expenses to be approved on a case-by-case basis;

Priority given to initiatives that are public, accessible and/or free of charge;

Funds can be accessed a maximum of once per year by each applicant or co-sponsor;

Funds must be spent within 6 months of the grant award;

Funds must be disbursed to U of T financial accounts (via direct transfer) or recognized U of T student group bank accounts (via cheque), only.

Expectations of Recipients

Acknowledgement of School of Cities support on digital and/or print media;

Following the conclusion of your initiative, provide a 300-word post-event narrative and summary of outcomes and engagement data – a report template will be provided.

Application Process

Applications will be bundled and assessed in the first week of each month, and decisions will be announced by the second week of each month;

All successful initiatives receiving funding and/or support will be promoted by the School of Cities;

Please fill out the form below to apply for SofC Small Grant Funds (opens in a new window):