Travel Grant Program Description and Guidelines

The UU Partner Church Council is pleased to solicit your grant applications for its Travel Grant Program. The fund was established by the UUPCC Board to provide support for travel that furthers the mission and vision of the UUPCC. The purpose of these grants is to serve as a catalyst for travel and programs that would otherwise not occur and which will make a difference in the lives of the individuals and their congregational partnerships. Recipients are encourage to write, preach or otherwise broadcast to the wider community the benefits and value of the UU Partner Church Movement.

The application process is open to all qualified individuals and congregations both overseas and here in North America. There will be two funding rounds per year. Deadlines for proposals for the two cycles are March 15 and October 15. The awards are capped at $500 each per grant. Reviewers apply the following criteria to evaluate proposals:

• First visits or very infrequent visits between congregations, or first visits one-way.
• Visits that coincide with a special event. (Example: church dedication, General Assembly, Community Capacity Building workshop, installation of minister, etc.)
• Trips that are organized to strengthen the congregational partnership. (How much time will the person/s spend with the partner congregation? Special religious services planned during the visit?)
• First time travel grants for this partnership.

Grant money will be sent to grant recipients after the grant has been awarded and the grantee has sent a request for disbursement with attached expense receipts.

All applicants meeting the criteria will be considered by the UUPCC Pilgrimage Committee. Should there be more applicants than available awards, applicants will be prioritized by a vote of the members of the UUPCC Pilgrimage Committee.

Examples of applications received include youth leadership travel to connect with youth, ministerial sabbatical travel that will enhance partnership, support for community capacity building programs, visits from overseas travelers to enhance the connection between congregations, and youth volunteers to work in schools, camps or orphanages associated with UUs overseas.

To apply

Complete the application form and mail it to UUPCC, PO Box 88 Bedford, MA 01730-0088

An application form can be found here.