Open call: Michelson 20MM Foundation – 2026 Student Basic Needs Spark Grants

May 4, 2026 | Awards & Funding, Faculty

To: Science Faculty
From: Office of Foundation Relations
Subject: Funding Opportunity

The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the Michelson 20MM Foundation.   

 

Please register for an informational webinar to be hosted May 19, 10-11am PT.

Overview: 

The Michelson 20MM Student Basic Needs Initiative works to remove barriers that prevent students from thriving in higher education by addressing housing, food, and financial insecurity as core issues of equity and academic success. The focus is on sustainable, scalable solutions to ensure every student has the stability needed to graduate and achieve long-term economic mobility. Basic Needs Initiative is interested in supporting projects that advance:

  • Systemic approaches and actionable strategies for higher education systems to address student housing insecurity and housing affordability.
  • Innovative approaches that strengthen equitable economic mobility and long-term student stability.
  • Actionable research, data, and strategies that inform policy and advocacy efforts.

 

Award Amount & Terms

  • Grants of up to $25,000 to nonprofits and educational institutions. Please note your project must address at least one of the focus areas. 

 

Eligibility: 

  • Michelson 20MM will focus on organizations that are doing work in California. 

Please see past Michelson Grant Recipients. 

 

Timeline:

  • May 19, 2026, 10-11am PT Webinar
  • June 9, 2026 Applications Due

 

Special Requirements: 

Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). Please submit a proposal intake form prior to UCSC’s internal Institutional Deadlines. For support developing your proposal, please send a request to the Office of Research Development, resdev@ucsc.edu. Within the Division of Social Sciences, please contact Ashlee Tews (ashleeac@ucsc.edu), and within the Arts, please contact Hannah Jasper (hannahjasper@ucsc.edu) to initiate notification and proposal support.

 

Call sent: April 29, 2026

~~~~~~~~

The Office Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact forde@ucsc.edu
Back to the Message Center