2025 American Democracy Project Summit Call for Proposals

Submit proposals by March 18.
Meeting theme

Full Participation

AASCU invites submissions to present at the American Democracy Project Summit, happening July 13-14, 2025 in Indianapolis, IN. We seek a diversity of perspectives and experiences, and we especially encourage presentations that include students and feature teams. 

Democracy can be frustrating, slow, and contentious. Often, the civic engagement work done on a campus can feel isolated and be un- or under-appreciated. This meeting will change that narrative by showcasing that, through AASCU’s American Democracy Project, there are resources and a community that exists to help build and grow civic engagement within higher education. 

Meeting details.
Proposal formats 

Topical Sessions (45-minute sessions): Presentations, which could be led by an individual or a group, designed to share best practices and/or facilitate conversations about the practical application of civic and community engagement projects. If accepted, you may be paired with another concurrent session to share the 45-minute time block.

Ignite Talks (5-minute sessions): Designed for individuals to share compelling, innovative practices on a large stage, ignite talks use 20 slides that automatically advance every 15 seconds and requires speakers to be concise, prepared, and dynamic. 

Poster Sessions: Textual and graphical presentations of civic engagement projects or research. 

Proposal topics

We recognize how interconnected the field of civic engagement is. This topic selection allows us to maintain a diverse portfolio of options.

What are the key features of the thriving democracy we hope to enact and support through our work?  

  • Navigating legislative challenges 
  • Incorporating and supporting student voice 
  • Redefining political engagement 
  • Incorporating diverse voices in our work 
  • Higher education’s democratic responsibility 
  • Honoring community voices and wisdom—especially for indigenous-serving institutions 
  • Exploring/understanding foundational, democratic documents and their relationship to current affairs 
  • Understanding interrelated concepts of civic engagement, democratic engagement, civic learning service learning, activism, and advocacy 

What knowledge, skills, and dispositions contribute to a thriving democracy, and how do we embed this in our work?  

  • Voter engagement work and results 
  • Increasing civic engagement beyond social sciences; encouraging interdisciplinary efforts 
  • Practicing/modeling difficult conversations/dialogues 
  • Digitial literacy 
  • Bringing curricular and co-curricular efforts together 
  • High impact practices 
  • Experiential learning 
  • AI possibilities 
  • Address the colonization of our educational system 

How can we build the institutional culture, infrastructure, and relationships needed to support learning that enables a thriving democracy? 

  • Institution-wide collaboration and building campus stakeholders 
  • Collaborating with other campuses 
  • Building leadership supports for civic engagement 
  • Aligning institutional mission/values with civic engagement 
  • Integrating campus and community efforts 
  • Building regional support structures 
  • Understanding different campus models for student engagement 
  • Implement and assess institution-wide civic learning objectives 

The 2025 call for proposals has ended.

Generation 250 Scholarship Program:

A Transatlantic Educational Opportunity

Support the strengthening of Franco-American relations through education exchanges.

Apply now.
Generation 250 - logo

Be a part of a historic transatlantic mobility program.

U.S. President Joseph R. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the Generation 250 Scholarship Program in December 2022 to commemorate the historic friendship between the United States and France, marking 250 years since France’s role in founding the U.S.

The program will award 250 scholarships to place 250 French students at American universities starting in fall 2026. The goal is to foster academic and cultural exchange and empower the next generation of global leaders.

Host French students on your campus

Students participating in this program will receive scholarships through the U.S. Embassy in France. These scholarships will cover the costs associated with studying at U.S. institutions for one semester, allowing students to benefit from the rich academic and cultural experiences available across AASCU member campuses.

AASCU is proud to partner with the U.S. Embassy in France and Mission Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Echanges Franco-Américains (MICEFA) to provide French students with access to its extensive network of U.S. campuses.

AASCU member institutions have a strong commitment to internationalization and student support and are ideal candidates for participating in the Generation 250 program. Our institutions provide the ideal environment for students to thrive, offering programs that combine academic excellence with meaningful cultural immersion.

Who should participate?

AASCU institutions with:

  • Strong Support Services: Campuses with dedicated services to ensure international students succeed both academically and personally
  • Innovative Pathway Programs: Campuses that offer bridge programs designed to help international students seamlessly integrate into U.S. academic life
  • Affordable Tuition: Institutions that provide innovative and affordable financial options for students seeking high-quality education in the U.S.

How will you benefit?

  • Enhance Internationalization Efforts: Host French students and assist your campus to deepen its commitment to global engagement
  • Strengthen International Partnerships: Build lasting relationships with French educational institutions, opening doors for future collaborations and exchange programs
  • Cultural Exchange Opportunities: Provide your students and faculty with opportunities to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges
  • Contribute to Global Leadership Development: Shape the future generation of transatlantic leaders
  • International Recognition: Align your institution with a prestigious program endorsed by both the U.S. and French governments
Program highlights

250 scholarships: The Generation 250 scholarship covers tuition, fees, round-trip airfare, room and board, and other expenses the 250 French students may incur during their semester. No financial participation is expected from U.S. institutions.

Cultural and academic exchange: The program includes a combination of academic study and cultural exchange activities designed to deepen mutual understanding between France and the U.S.

All communities: The program is designed to be inclusive, providing students from all backgrounds the opportunity to experience life and education in the United States.

An informational webinar describing this new program opportunity.

Official Launch of Generation 250: A Franco-American Initiative on Nov. 19, 2024.

Apply now to participate in Generation 250.

Step one:

Complete and submit the
Generation 250 Interest Form.

Interest form.

Step two:

Schedule a 1:1 information session.

Contact:
Sophie Eustache
Partnerships Manager
MICEFA
Mobile: +33 (0)6 95 25 87 22

Generation 250 Partners

Questions about Generation 250? Let us know.

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