Conflict Resolution Education – Jan 12

Posted by JAMS Foundation on December 5, 2023

JAMS Foundation invites applications for 2024 funding cycle of ACR Initiative for Students and Youth

In partnership with the Association for Conflict Resolution, the JAMS Foundation has requested proposal ideas for the 2024 JAMS Foundation-ACR Initiative for Students and Youth funding cycle. The initiative aims to provide financial support for conflict resolution education and training (CRE) for PreK-12 students and youth. Populations to be served by the funding streams will be 1) youth in PreK-12 age range and 2) adults working with these youth populations in ways that directly transfer CRE skills for adults to the youth populations.

The focus of the 2024 funding cycle is on projects to increase the resiliency skills in youth ages 14 to 18 years old by using conflict resolution education and training intended to increase their ability to 1) cope with violence they may encounter in a school or other gathering places, and 2) de-escalate the violence.

There are three priorities:

1. The proposed project will use evidence-based strategies designed for youth ages 14 to 18 years old, or a subset of that age group, to provide conflict resolution education and training, providing youth with the skills and motivation to reduce violence among high school-aged youth at school as well as other gathering spaces (physical and online) for their peer groups.

2. The proposed project will build upon the current work of the applicant organization. It will highlight local community connections demonstrating previous or current integrated work with the focused population or their location. The project will specifically integrate conflict resolution skills of youth within their communities and develop and implement a public education campaign extolling the benefits of conflict resolution skills in advancing positive interactions.

3. Evaluation measures for the proposed project will include, at a minimum: 1) an increase in applied conflict resolution skills by youth, specifically for appropriate interactions with others in a manner that does not lead to physical or verbal violence, and 2) a decrease in reported violence in schools or other spaces where youth gather.

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.

Requests for year-one funding may be up to $20,000. While proposed projects are two-year projects, decisions on funding for a second year will be contingent on evidence of benchmark accomplishments at the end of the first year of funding, focusing on integrating the new service or expanding the current services. For those who seek a second year of funding, requests may be for up to $40,000.

One- to three-page initial project ideas are due January 12, 2024, and upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by May 20, 2024.

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 12, 2024 (Initial project idea)