AASCU Pluralism Cohort
Interfaith America is collaborating with AASCU to gather a set of institutions seeking to become exemplars of campus pluralism.
Apply by Feb. 17
Equip students with the knowledge base, mindset, and skillset to serve as bridgebuilders in a divided world.
We live in a deeply divided country with rising levels of distrust and isolation, in which religious, cultural, and ideological diversity are often seen as sources of division rather than as a foundation for cooperation. In these fraught times, we need leaders who can foster pluralism as an antidote to rising prejudice and polarization. Institutions of higher education, a treasure of American civic life, are uniquely situated to promote and practice pluralism and serve as models for the rest of society.
University campuses can be places where people from diverse identities and divergent ideologies learn from one another, and places that actively equip students with the knowledge base, mindset, and skillset to serve as bridgebuilders in a divided world. From the admissions process to first-year orientation to the general education curriculum, students should understand that the university seeks to model pluralism and to teach the skills for constructive engagement across differences. When a university president shakes the hand of a graduating student, they should be confident that the graduate is equipped to be a bridgebuilder who can lead effectively in diverse civic and professional settings, including in the most contentious and challenging situations.
AASCU’s partner Interfaith America seeks 8-10 institutions to committed to becoming exemplary campuses in the practice of pluralism. Each campus will receive $25,000 to support their efforts.
Who should participate:
- AASCU member institutions seeking to make pluralism a priority (8-10 institutions)
How you’ll benefit:
- Receive $25,000 to support efforts
- Learn best practices for promoting and deepening campus pluralism
- Identify and address tensions and obstacles in the current higher education climate that impede pluralism on college campuses
- Opportunities for cohort teams to begin to develop long-term goals and a strategic plan for advancing pluralism on their campuses
- Develop a close network of institutions deeply committed to learning from one another and collaborating with one another in the transition toward becoming exemplars of pluralism
Apply for the AASCU Pluralism Cohort by Feb. 17, 2025.
What to Expect
The Advancing Campus Pluralism Cohort (AASCU) will consist of eight to ten member institutions. Each will identify a three-person Core Team in the application process, which includes at least one senior administrator appointed directly by the president or chancellor. After acceptance, the Core Team will be responsible for participating in convenings. Each institution in the cohort then creates a five to eight-person Pluralism Working Group that will include at least three senior administrators. This group will be responsible for submitting and implementing the strategic plan.
The Core Teams will participate in a series of in-person and virtual convenings over the course of 2025-2026:
- The first convening will take place in person, June 16-18, 2025. The goals include gaining foundational knowledge in civic pluralism, learning best practices to promote and deepen campus pluralism, and drafting a strategic plan.
- By July 2025, each Pluralism Working Group will submit a finalized strategic plan for implementing several best practices for campus pluralism in their community. Upon submission of the strategic plan, each institution will receive the first installment of the $25,000 grant to support the implementation of these practices.
- Between August 2025 and April 2026, the core teams will meet virtually for five sessions (90 mins each) for ongoing professional development and peer-to-peer support.
- There will be a final in-person, two-day convening in May 2026 to share learnings.
- Applicant institutions must be members AASCU
- Submission of an application through IA’s online portal, which includes a written proposal that addresses the following topics:
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- Why does your institution want to make pluralism a priority? How does building a culture of pluralism align with your school’s mission or values?
- Please describe one key opportunity and one key challenge around pluralism on your campus. Please also note specific strengths (e.g. existing infrastructure, staff roles, programs, courses, etc.) in your campus community that support a culture of pluralism.
- How will participating in the pluralism cohort allow you to make sustainable, lasting change on campus?
- Is there anything more we should know about your campus that is pertinent to this program?
- The identification of your Core Team members, one of whom must be a senior administrator appointed by the President or Chancellor of your institution.
- A letter of support from the President or Chancellor of your institution
- Accepted institutions must form a Pluralism Working Group (five to eight people, including three senior administrators)
- Core Team members must commit to participation in scheduled in-person and virtual convenings.
- Grant funds should primarily be used for purposes that directly support the grant proposal. This includes accelerating and adapting pluralist practices for campus communities.
- We are amenable to grantees using up to 10% of disbursed grant funds for operational costs if needed.
- The grantee is responsible for understanding and navigating their institutional or organizational grant processes.
- Those who receive funding may receive a 1099 tax form at the end of the year.
- Institutions receiving funds over $10,000 may be required to provide a certificate of insurance listing IA, or provide documentation of insurance.
Grant funds may not be used for:
- Alcohol
- Expenses associated with political campaign activities, including directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office; making contributions to political campaigns; or attempting to influence legislation (i.e., lobbying)
- Capital funds or expenses (e.g., endowments, capital campaigns, annual funds, tuition, or student fees)
- While not restricted, IA generally does not fund grantees to use a large portion of their funds for IA’s fee-for-service offerings, such as campus consultations or speaking engagement fees.
- Stategic Plan: Each Pluralism Working Group outlines implementation of pluralism practices in their specific campus context.
- Mid-Year Report Survey, IA will give surveys for campuses to submit reports: account of progress towards goals, success and challenges.
- Final Grant Report Survey, IA will give surveys for campuses to submit reports: outcomes of pluralism practices plan and campus implementation
- January 15 – February 17, 2025 – Application period
- February 17–29, 2025 – Selection period
- Early March 2025 – Campuses are informed of selection, pre-work is shared
- March 2025 – Each campus creates Pluralism Working Group
- March to June 2025 – The Core Team and Working Group does pre-work in preparation for strategic planning convening
Pre-work for the Pluralism Working Group will include:
- Completing short readings and videos on definitions and foundational concepts of pluralism
- Clarifying goals for the project and their alignment with institutional priorities
- Conducting a campus-assessment of assets and challenges to the work
- Reflecting on your personal values and motivation for the work
IA will provide guiding materials to successfully complete the pre-work. The anticipated time commitment for pre-work is 10-12 hours but will vary. Campuses that have already begun to develop a pluralism infrastructure, for example, may find that they need less time to complete the pre-work. IA will make office hours available in March for campus-specific questions and clarifications on the project.
- April 2025 – Introduction to the cohort and meet-and-greet for accepted campuses (virtual, 1.5 hours)
- June 16–18, 2025 – First in-person convening with campus Core Team to draft strategic plan for implementing a series of pluralism practices over the granting period; learning and consultations with IA staff; each team will develop a timeline for completion and submission of the strategic plan
- July 15, 2025 – The Core Team submits the finalized strategic plan with feedback from the Pluralism Working Group. Upon submission of plan, the first installment of the $25K grant is disbursed to each campus.
- August 2025 – First virtual convening (90 minutes)
Campuses implement their plans and are involved in launching grant activities in between convenings outlined below. - October 2025 – Second virtual convening (90 mins)
- December 2025 – Third virtual convening (90 mins)
- December 15, 2025 – Each campus submits a mid-grant report
- February 2026 – Fourth virtual convening (90 mins)
- April 2026 – Fifth virtual convening (90 mins)
- May 2026 – Second in-person Convening for the Core Team (2 days)
- June 2026 – Each campus submits a final grant report
Pluralism Cohort Partner
Questions about the AASCU Pluralism Cohort? Let us know.
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