Brief Description:

The Harvard Culture Lab Innovation Fund (CLIF) invites students, staff, faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and fellows to pilot ideas that advance a culture of mutual respect and full participation at Harvard. Grant awards range from $5,000 to $15,000, administered by Community and Campus Life.

Your idea can span different topics and must identify a new or innovative approach to strengthen full community participation. Grants are awarded to teams that have a direct impact on the University community, engage the broadest audience, and align with the University's Community Values.

Description:

Register for the Open House on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to noon E.T.

Learn tips on strengthening your application by attending our virtual Open House.

Sign up to Judge Deadline: Friday, March 27, 2026

Want to engage, but not ready to apply? Serve as a judge. Judges receive training and help select finalists and winners during April and June. This is an opportunity to draw inspiration from your community and help drive the best innovations forward.

Application Information:

1. Your innovation or project's name
2. Project description
3. What problem you are trying to solve?
4. What goals do you have?
5. How will you measure success?
6. How does your project support the Harvard University Community Value(s)?
7. Select the stage of development your project is in.

Start-up
Transitional
Mature Implementation

8. What is your vision for scaling the project after the initial grant?
9. Who is the primary audience?
10. Please submit the budget template provided in the application.
11. How much funding are you requesting? $5000 - $15,000

Eligibility Criteria:

Faculty and Staff:

Harvard University benefits-eligible staff and faculty are eligible to apply. All applicants must have a primary affiliation with Harvard University. Individuals from Harvard-affiliated hospitals and non-profit, independent corporations are not eligible as primary applicants and require teaming with a primary applicant at a Harvard University School or Unit to apply.
Benefits-eligible Harvard University administrative/professional, support or service and trades staff members are eligible to apply.
Primary, secondary, and adjunct faculty are eligible to apply.
Dual-role faculty's primary role should be with Harvard University.

Students, Postdoctoral Researchers, and Fellows:

Full-time degree seeking Harvard undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. All primary team members must be Harvard University affiliates.
Students must be enrolled for the duration of the funding period.
Harvard Postdoctoral Researchers and Fellows are eligible to apply. Individuals from Harvard-affiliated hospitals and non-profit, independent corporations are not eligible as primary applicants and require teaming with a primary applicant at a Harvard University School or Unit to apply.
Full-time appointment at Harvard University is required and the appointment must last the duration of the funding period if awarded.

Review Criteria:

Alignment - Aligns with the Harvard University Community Values and advances a campus culture where every member can thrive in their academic, professional, and research pursuits.
Accessibility - Applies inclusive principles recommended by Harvard University Disability Resources so that the proposed product, resource, or service is usable by as many different people as possible. Adherence to the Digital Accessibility Policy is required.
Connection to Campus - Directly impacts the Harvard University community.
Data - Has measurable outcomes and attainable goals once implemented.
Innovation - Offers a novel or creative approach to strengthening a culture of mutual respect and full participation for all on campus.
Non-Discrimination - All events organized as part of the project implementation should be open and welcoming to all members of the Harvard community.
One Harvard - Project teams include a combination of faculty, students, staff, and/or postdoctoral fellows, or demonstrate cross-School or cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Promising Practice - Has potential for University-wide impact and/or designs resources to be shared and replicable across offices, departments, Schools, and Units.

Additional Information, Related Websites, and Proxy Instructions:

Email culturelab@harvard.edu for questions.

Search Filters:

Institution

Harvard Business School
Central Administration
Harvard Divinity School
Harvard Division of Continuing Education
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Graduate School of Design
Graduate School of Education
Harvard College (Students Only)
Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health
Harvard Kennedy School
Harvard Law School
Harvard Medical School (Quad)
Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM)
Radcliffe Institute

Position

Undergraduate Student
Graduate Student
Postdoc/Fellow
Instructor
Assistant Professor
Associate Professor
Professor
Other Academic/Research Appointment
Administrator/Staff

Type of Competition

Harvard Internal Funding

Discipline

Begin Accepting Applications Date:

2/03/2026

Deadline Date (EST Time Zone):

3/31/2026 11:59 PM