DELTA On Purpose

The DELTA On Purpose grant program is administered by the University of Notre Dame through the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good, an academic center focused on advancing ethical reflection and human flourishing in contemporary society. The Institute positions this funding opportunity within the broader context of rapid technological change, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, and its implications for human identity, purpose, and community life. The program is designed to support U.S. colleges and universities in developing immersive undergraduate experiences that help students reflect on questions of meaning, vocation, and the common good. The primary purpose of the DELTA On Purpose grant is to enable institutions to design and implement structured immersion programs grounded in the DELTA framework, which emphasizes Dignity, Embodiment, Love, Transcendence, and Agency. These programs are intended to foster deep engagement with real-world communities and systemic social issues while encouraging students to critically examine the ethical and human dimensions of technological disruption. Funded projects must include a combination of preparatory meetings, a week-long immersion experience typically conducted during an academic break, and post-immersion reflection sessions that connect the experience to students’ long-term personal and ethical development. The funding scope allows for programmatic costs associated with curriculum design, student recruitment, travel, immersion logistics, and evaluation activities. Each grant provides up to 125000 dollars in direct costs, with a restriction that no more than 30 percent of the budget may be allocated to personnel expenses. Grantees are expected to adapt the Institute’s existing model to their institutional context while maintaining all core components, including a minimum cohort size of 25 students and a retreat component focused on discernment and reflection. The grant may be renewed for up to three years contingent upon successful completion of program requirements. Eligibility is limited to U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate a capacity to execute undergraduate formation programs centered on reflection and discernment. Applicants must show prior experience managing similar initiatives and the ability to collaborate effectively with the Institute. Required application components include a statement of interest, curriculum vitae for the principal investigator, a project proposal detailing the immersion experience and its alignment with the DELTA framework, a timeline of activities, and an itemized budget using the provided template. The submission process requires applicants to prepare and submit all required documents by the stated deadline, with no indication of a separate pre-application phase. The priority deadline for submissions is August 10, 2026 at 1159 PM Eastern Time. Applications are evaluated based on alignment with program goals, quality of the proposed immersion experience, institutional capacity, and clarity of intended student outcomes. Selected institutions will also be required to participate in ongoing engagement with Institute staff and attend a DELTA Summit event, with partial reimbursement provided. The program timeline anticipates awardees launching their immersion programs beginning in Spring 2027. Grantees must conduct pre-immersion meetings, execute the immersion experience, and complete post-immersion reflection and reporting. A final evaluation report documenting student outcomes and program effectiveness is required. The program is described as part of an ongoing initiative, suggesting potential recurrence, although explicit annual reissuance is not formally stated. For questions regarding the grant, applicants are directed to contact Allie Griffith via email at agriffi7@nd.edu. No phone contact is specified. The Institute emphasizes collaboration, reflection, and ethical formation as central pillars of the program, positioning the grant as a strategic investment in shaping future leaders capable of navigating complex technological and social challenges.

Align proposal clearly with DELTA framework elements; demonstrate institutional capacity and prior experience; provide detailed immersion design and student outcomes