Trailblazers Mini-Grant Program
CSL launched the Trailblazers Mini-Grant program in Fall 2025 to promote student leadership development while partnering with the community on projects that work towards social change.
Mutually Beneficial Partnerships to Meet Community-Identified Needs
KU is dedicated to promoting public good, and our undergraduate students are the trailblazers we're seeking to work with community partners on meaningful projects.
Using the KU Trails Towards Social Change model, Trailblazers will address a problem co-identified by those impacted by it. Students are encouraged to use innovative approaches to solving their selected problem with a small team of community and campus members also passionate and informed about the topic.
Projects should also be personally challenging and spark critical reflection, while incorporating sustainable actions to ensure long term positive impact beyond this academic year. Professional development workshops facilitated by the CSL will further support student growth and project success.
Applications are closed for the 2025-2026 cycle.
2025-2026 Trailblazer Projects
The Center for Service Learning is excited to fund 16 projects and support 25+ student leaders this academic year. If you would like to learn more about these student projects, email the CSL Program Coordinator Steph Ruppen at sruppen@ku.edu or email the primary contacts listed for each project.
Projects with an asterisk indicate that a representative from their project will be presenting at the National IMPACT Conference in Cincinnati, OH in February 2026.
The Big Dill
Aidan Nielsen | a052n593@home.ku.edu
Brains & Beauties: Circular City
Antonique' Flemons | antoniquef@ku.edu
CARE Pageant & Fundraiser
Sareena Kandalkar | sareenakandalkar14@ku.edu
Central Middle School Community Closet*
Helen Viloria | h585v720@ku.edu
Creating a Newsletter for Center for Supportive Communities*
Allison Monteleone | allymonteleone@ku.edu
Dining Dollars For Change
Zoe White | zoe.white@ku.edu
Getting to Zero
Elliott Lamb | elliottylamb2006@ku.edu
Holidays with O’Connell
Joanna Yuen | joannayuen@ku.edu
LEAD UP Scholarship
Ariana Siddique | Asiddique@ku.edu
LEAD UP Workshop
James Pressdee | Jcpressdee@ku.edu
Libraries with a Heart*
Bhavya Gupta | bgupta8@ku.edu
LiftED: Education for Foster Youth*
Jaden Huehl | jadenhuehl@ku.edu
Mindful Move-Out
Elliot Grotzinger | elliotgrotzinger@ku.edu
Solar for All
Nora Jennings | nqjennings@ku.edu
Student-Centered Educate & ACT
Kennedy Farrier | kfarrier@ku.edu
Wellness Care Night
Disha Patel | disha.patel@ku.edu
Learn more about the Grant Process & Requirements
Who is Eligible to Apply?
This grant is intended to support projects led by undergraduate students between the ages of 18-25 years old (at least one student per group must fall within this age range). Projects may be conducted by individuals or by groups of up to four students.
Total grant funding awarded is not impacted by the number of students working on the project. For example, a project led by 2 Trailblazers versus 4 Trailblazers is still only eligible for a total of $400.
Why do students need to include contact information for Advisory Board members and a Community Partner?
While student leaders will receive guidance and resources from Center for Service Learning staff, it is important that students demonstrate in the application that they have already discussed their project idea with those actually impacted by the social problem they're trying to solve. Projects that are well-organized and center community voices are more likely to be impactful and reach their goals in the short timeline; therefore, those projects are more likely to be funded.
The role of an advisory board member is to check in with the student leaders at least once a month to ensure progress towards goals, in addition to offering general advice and support. Community partners tend to be staff members at nonprofit organizations, but can also include leaders, representatives, and those with lived experience. Projects and partners are not limited to the geographic community of Lawrence/ Douglas County.
What is this year's Program Timeline?
- 9/2: Application opens on CSL Website
- 9/26: Application closes at noon (11:59am)
- 9/19: Interview invitations sent out on a rolling basis
- 9/22-9/30: In-person interviews
- 10/3: Decisions (yes, waitlist, no) emailed
- 10/9: Deadline for applicants to accept grant award
- 10/15: Virtual meeting (5:30-6:30pm) with all Trailblazers and Advisory Board members
- 11/6 or 11/8: Trailblazer Cohort Meeting #1
- February: Trailblazer Cohort Meeting #2 | Mid-Project Report due | IMPACT Conference
- March: Trailblazer Cohort Meeting #3
- April: Trailblazer Cohort Meeting #4 | Project Wrap-Up | CSL Annual Service Showcase & Celebration
- May: Final Reflection due
When do applications for next year open?
The Trailblazers Mini-Grant and Cohort Program is funded on an annual basis by an external agency. This cohort's funding ends in May 2026. The Center for Service Learning is exploring sustainable sources of funding to support future student-led projects. Check back in Summer 2026 to get an updated program timeline and application process.