Innovations in Democracy

Innovations in Democracy is sponsored by American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU). AASCU's Innovations in Democracy is a grant-funded summer cohort for faculty and staff at AASCU institutions.

Innovations in Democracy - AASCU American Democracy Project A grant-funded summer cohort where faculty and staff build knowledge of democratic innovations and apply their learning through action-oriented student projects. Democracy works better when its citizens understand how it works. Build your capacity to help students understand, engage with, and improve democracy.

Colleges and universities play a central role in preparing students for democratic participation . That’s why AASCU created Innovati o n s in Democracy , a grant-funded summer faculty and staff cohort supported by Unite America . P articipants will learn about new, nonpartisan approaches to democracy and d evelop campus-based projects .

During summer 2026, selected faculty and staff will learn about democratic innovations such as ranked choice voting, primary election reform, participatory governance, and other approaches designed to strengthen fair representation. Through expert-led sessions, peer exchange, and individual project coaching, participants will connect these ideas to their teaching or cocurricular civic activities.

By the end of the summer, participants will develop a concrete, actionable project plan tailored to their campus. Projects will launch fall 2026 to create opportunities for students to promote civic learning about democratic innovations and practices.

Grounded in intentional design and sustained learning, Innovations in Democracy supports campuses in translating democratic ideas into concrete action that strengthens student learning and engagement.

Faculty and staff at AASCU institutions who have: A genuine interest in how democratic systems shape citizen participation and representation An interest in introducing nonpartisan democratic innovations into the classroom, co-curriculum, or campus community A readiness to engage in virtual professional learning during June and July 2026 An interest in developing a concrete, implementable campus project beginning fall 2026 A willingness to share insights and resources with the broader AASCU community Benefits of participation: A stronger understanding of nonpartisan democratic innovation concepts and practices Support to develop a campus-based project proposal focused on student learning or engagement Connection to a national peer learning community committed to strengthening democracy $1,000 summer stipend for faculty and staff accepted to the summer cohort Mini-grants up to $1,500 to support approved cohort project activities that occur during fall 2026 Assistant Director of Civic Engagement; Associate Professor of Political Science Chancellor’s Professor of Political Science; Director of Community Engagement and the American Democracy Project Indiana University South Bend Associate Professor of Educational Leadership Washington State University – Everett Director of Student Organizations and Commuter Services East Stroudsburg University (PA) Coordinator of Student Government Relations and Advisor to Greek Life Portland State University (OR) Associate Professor, Political Science and Public Administration Northern Michigan University Assistant Professor, Journalism and Media Production Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO) Associate Professor of Philosophy/Director of the Institute for Civil Society and Democracy State University of New York at Oneonta Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences; ADP Director Sam Houston State University (TX) Assistant Director of Civic and Community Engagement Western Carolina University (NC) Associate Professor of Communication The State University of New York at Fredonia Associate Professor, History, Political Science, and Geography; MPA Program Director Southern Arkansas University Associate Professor of English Worcester State University (MA) Associate Professor of Philosophy University of South Carolina Beaufort Professor, Department of Political Science; Director of the Center for Applied Civic Leadership Coastal Carolina University (SC) Professor of Anthropology Missouri State University Professor of Political Science Southeast Missouri State University Innovations in Democracy Webinar series Expanding Voter Voice: Does Primary Reform Promote Fairer Representation?

American Democracy Project More Voices, Fairer Outcomes? The Promise of Citizen Assemblies American Democracy Project From Input to Influence: How Might Participatory Technology and AI Increase Citizen Voice in Electoral Decision-Making? American Democracy Project Apr.

15: Applications open May 29: Applicants notified June 11, June 29, and July 28 : Virtual summer learning sessions Aug. 15: Campus project plan due Applications will include the following information: Name, title, institution, department/unit, email What civic learning, democratic engagement, or community-focused work are you currently involved in or responsible for on your campus?

(100-150 words) What interests you about democratic innovations (such as primary election reform, ranked choice voting, participatory governance, or citizen assemblies), and why do you want to explore them at this point in your work? (150-200 words) Describe a preliminary idea for a campus-based project or class-based initiative you might like to develop through the cohort.

(150-200 words) Note: This can be an early or exploratory idea and does not need to be fully formed and may change as you engage in the program.

I am able to attend the virtual learning sessions on June 11, June 29, and July 28 I am able to start implementation of project fall 2026 Current course syllabus if for a course-based project Letter of support from department chair (faculty) or supervisor (staff) [submitted separately] Frequently Asked Questions Who is this cohort designed for?

The cohort is designed for faculty and staff at AASCU institutions who are already working in civic learning or civic engagement and want to explore new democratic approaches to strengthen their work. Faculty and staff from all disciplines and focus areas are encouraged to apply. Do I need experience with democratic innovations to apply?

No. While participants should have experience in civic engagement, prior knowledge of democratic innovations is not required. What we’re looking for are educators and practitioners who are passionate about civic engagement, curious about democratic reform, and excited to bring new learning to their students and campus communities. What does participation in the summer cohort involve?

Participants are require d to attend three 90-minute virtual professional development sessions and one-on-one c oaching during June–July 2026 and develop a campus – or course-based project plan to pilot during the 2026– 27 academic year. Is there financial support for cohort participants? Yes.

Cohort participants receive a $1,000 summer stipend and mini-grants ($500-$1,500) are available to support approved project activities that take place in fall 2026. What topics will be covered in the summer learning sessions? Cohort sessions will be led by leading scholars and practitioners in electoral systems, democratic theory, and civic engagement.

We will explore topics such as: Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and how it works Single Transferable Vote (STV) and proportional representation Alternatives to direct primaries (Top-Four, Top-Two, nonpartisan blanket primaries) Automatic voter registration and vote-by-mail Multi-member districts and geographic representation Campaign finance reform: limits, disclosure, and party involvement Citizen assemblies and participatory governance Emerging civic technology and participatory tech tools What kinds of projects are a good fit for the cohort?

Projects should support student learning about democratic innovations .

The following are examples of the kinds of activities that cohort members might develop—we encourage creativity and adaptation to your own institutional context: Host a Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) or Single Transferable Vote (STV) simulation using a real or hypothetical campus election, with live vote-counting and debrief discussion Organize an Electoral Policy Challenge where student teams design and pitch innovative solutions to democratic reform challenges over 24–48 hours Launch a podcast or video series featuring interviews with AASCU faculty experts on democratic reform topics, scripted and produced with students Create and deploy infographic lesson plan suites on RCV, STV, and plurality voting for use in political science, sociology, or civic engagement courses Organize a screening of the film Majority Rules, followed by a structured campus dialogue or student panel Develop an Augmented Reality (AR) or interactive digital experience to help students visualize how vote transfers work in RCV and STV systems Coordinate a student-led deliberative forum or capstone project resulting in policy briefs or multimedia advocacy campaigns Do cohort members have to attend the summer learning series?

Yes. Cohort members are expected to attend the full series . The summer stipend is an acknowledgement of the time necessary to participate .

Does the campus-based project need to be completed in fall 2026? No. The project can continue through spring 202 7 , but should begin the fall. Mini-grants are only available for activities that occur f all 2026.

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