Introducing the President’s Fund – Special Projects Program!
The President’s Fund is generously supported by MSVU donors. The fund provides important support to areas of greatest need as designated by the President in consultation with members of the MSVU community.
Are you a student, faculty, or staff member with an innovative idea that could make a meaningful impact? The President’s Fund – Special Projects Program supports initiatives that enhance the MSVU community and beyond! This program provides one-time funding to projects that align with the university’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities while incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) principles.
Funding Categories
Awards of up to $7,000 will be granted in the following four categories (one per category):
- Student Experience – Enhancing academic, personal, and/or social experiences for students.
- Community Engagement – Strengthening MSVU’s relationships with external communities through meaningful collaboration.
- Healthy Campus – Supporting initiatives that enhance the physical, mental, and/or social well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
- Student-Led Projects – Funding impactful student-driven initiatives.
Awarded Projects
Student Experience
The Student Experience category recognizes projects that enrich students’ academic, personal, or social lives.
3D Printing: A New Dimension of Learning: Led by faculty member Paige Drake, this project will enhance classroom and lab learning while fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and staff.
Student-Led Projects
The Student-Led category recognizes impactful student-driven initiatives. Two initiatives were funded under this category.
Crafternoons: By student Skyler Anadkat, supported by the Library Team, this project fosters student engagement through creative, collaborative activities.
A Taste of Home: A Cultural Cookbook by Students: By Joshua van Nostrand and Daniela Aguilar, this initiative will produce a cookbook celebrating cultural diversity through student-contributed recipes.
Healthy Campus
The Healthy Campus category supports initiatives that promote the well-being of students, faculty, and staff.
Understanding EDIA Initiatives in Universities: A Pan-Canadian Policy Scan: Led by faculty members Jeannie Larson, Johan Woodworth, Phillip Joy, and Kelly Resmer, this project will examine EDIA-related policies at Canada’s top 50 universities.
Community Engagement
The Community Engagement category supports projects that build strong, collaborative ties with external communities.
Two-Eyed Seeing Library Art Project: Spearheaded by faculty member Krista Collier-Jarvis and collaborators Cathy LeBlanc, Cheyenne Hardy, Jessica Jeron, Jeannie Bail, Theresa Meuse and Cheryl Delorey, this initiative will create a Mi’kmaw art installation in the MSVU Library, strengthening ties with Indigenous communities.
Who Can Apply?
- Open to current MSVU students, faculty, and staff (individuals or groups).
- Projects must be one-time, non-renewable initiatives with no ongoing costs.
- Proposals must not duplicate existing operations or have alternative funding sources unless adding a unique, one-time component.
- Funds must be utilized within 12 months of the award.
Why Apply?
- Receive up to $7,000 in funding to bring your idea to life.
- Make a lasting impact on our campus and community.
- For MSVU students, gain valuable experience through proposal-writing support from the MSVU Student Union.
Application & Selection Process
- Applications can be downloaded here must be submitted via email to advancement@msvu.ca by March 31st.
- Student-led initiatives must be submitted under the Student-Led Projects category, with proposal-writing support available from the MSVU Students’ Union.
- A representative selection committee, chaired by MSVU’s President, will evaluate proposals based on a structured assessment framework. The committee will include representatives from Student Experience, University Advancement, Financial Services, MSVUSU, and ad-hoc content experts for each category.
Reporting Requirements:
- Mid-term progress report (within 6 months).
- Final report (within 1 month of completion) to support internal and external storytelling.
Have questions or need help with your application? For more information, reach out to advancement@msvu.ca.
Don’t miss this opportunity to bring your ideas to life — apply today!