Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment Grants

Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment Grants is sponsored by Office of the Provost (UW-Madison). This program is designed to foster public engagement and advance the Wisconsin Idea, accepting proposals on an annual basis. It supports projects that connect the university's resources with the needs of the state.

Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment – Office of the Provost – UW–Madison U niversity of W isconsin –Madison The Reilly-Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment is a competitive grant program that fosters public engagement and the advancement of the Wisconsin Idea , the principle that education should influence people’s lives beyond the boundaries of the classroom.

Proposals are encouraged for new community-engaged activities that partner with community and off-campus organizations to extend and apply research, education, and practice-based knowledge to address needs and foster mutual learning.

The Reilly-Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment supports the development of: New and innovative projects New dimensions to community-engaged projects Public engagement activities Community-engaged research The grant program honors the legacy of Ira Baldwin and Ineva Reilly Baldwin and their deep commitment to the Wisconsin Idea. Learn about the Baldwin family .

Priority will be given to projects for which other funding sources (such as research grants, corporate support) are not available or are limited.

Funds are not intended to: Duplicate existing outreach or community-engaged projects Provide bridge funding for established programs Replace activities that are a part of a unit’s normal operation Support the development of new undergraduate or graduate courses, unless the new courses have a substantial community engagement component All UW-Madison faculty and staff are eligible to apply.

UW-Madison students are eligible to apply as a co-project leader with a faculty or staff member identified to serve as the project leader. The Reilly-Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment offers two types of grants: Seed grants and Project grants. The total amount granted each year is determined by the annual income from the Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment.

The endowment supports the awards of approximately 8-12 Seed grants and 6-10 Project grants per year.

Maximum award amount: $4,000 Ideal for smaller projects or preliminary efforts to foster innovation, experimentation, and/or relationship-building with community partners to inform and strengthen the planning for a forthcoming project Learn how to apply for a Seed Grant Maximum award amount: $120,000 Project duration range: 1-3 years Learn how to apply for a Project Grant Reporting Requirements and Guidelines All Reilly-Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment grant recipients—for both Seed grants and Project grants—are required to submit a final report in their final year of funding.

Recipients of Project grants are also required to submit annual progress reports for the duration of their grant to continue to receive funding over multiple years. See further details and instructions . For technical assistance, contact Rachel Niles, reilly-baldwin@provost.

wisc. edu . All other inquiries, including eligibility, proposal preparation, and reporting, contact Catherine Reiland, Assistant Vice Provost, creiland@wisc.

edu . Register for Sept 10 here September 30, 2025 , at 11:59pm CST Project grant initial proposals due Department chair approval deadline Dean (or designee) approval deadline Applicant notified of proposal status Final proposals for Project grants due from selected project proposal applicants Department chair approval deadline Dean (or designee) approval deadline View summaries of past projects .

See details and instructions on how to submit an annual progress report or a final report.