Conflict Resolution for Students and Youth – Jan 9

Posted by JAMS Foundation on December 6, 2022

JAMS Foundation invites applications for 2023 funding cycle of ACR Initiative for Students and Youth

The mission of the JAMS Foundation is to provide financial assistance for conflict resolution initiatives with national and international impact and to share its dispute resolution experience and expertise for the benefit of the public.

To help advance this mission, the foundation, in partnership with the Association for Conflict Resolution, has requested proposal ideas for the 2023 funding cycle of the JAMS Foundation-ACR Initiative for Students and Youth. The initiative aims to support conflict resolution education and training (CRE) for preK-12 students and youth. Grants may support both preK-12 youths as well as adults working with these populations in ways that directly transfer CRE skills to youth populations.

The focus of the 2023 funding cycle is on projects to increase resiliency skills in children ages 5 to 11 by using conflict resolution education and training to increase their ability to cope with crises, stress, and lack of hope in the future. Recognizing the importance and long-term impact of a child’s early environment, the funding focus is open to conflict resolution practitioners and organizations working with child-based community organizations that provide full child care for working parents, guardians, or other caregivers or organizations providing before- and/or after-school programming.

There are two priorities:

1. The proposed evidence-based conflict resolution education and training strategies should be designed for children ages 5 to 11 years old or a subset of that age group, focusing on one or more of the following experiential practices: peer mediation, de-escalation, restorative justice, and/or coaching.

2. The proposed project should build upon the current work of either the applicant agency or the applicant’s community partner, specifically aimed to integrate conflict resolution skills in a manner that educates children ages 5 to 11 years old as a means to navigate conflict effectively and develop positive attitudes and behaviors.

Grants of between $20,000 and $40,000 for the first year will be awarded, with the potential for a two-year funding cycle. Preference for funding is given to those that may bring existing programs or exciting new ideas to a level of scalability and sustainability on a regional or national basis.

One- to three-page initial project ideas are due January 9, 2023, and upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by May 19, 2023.

Eligible organizations include those designated as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, educational institutions, and public agencies working with nonprofit educational institutions or organizations.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the JAMS Foundation website.

Deadline: January 9, 2023 (Initial Project Idea)