As part of UNLV’s Top Tier 2.0 mission, the university is dedicated to engaging youth across our community and expanding high-quality summer programming for children and teens ages 5 to 18.

UNLV Early Outreach is pleased to announce a mini-grants competition designed to support the development of new summer programs or the enhancement of existing ones as part of our Young Rebels initiative. Continuing programs are welcome to apply; however, proposals must clearly demonstrate meaningful and measurable improvements or innovations to current programming to be considered for funding.

Priority consideration will be given to proposals targeting elementary-aged participants and/or programs that focus on the following content areas: academic success, civic engagement, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, fine arts, health sciences, human services, leadership development, and world languages. While all eligible programs may apply, proposals aligning with these priorities may receive preference during the review process.

Grant awards will be determined based on budget availability, demonstrated need, and the proposed program’s scope, impact, and duration. Additional funding opportunities may be available in future cycles.

Successful program proposals will demonstrate:

• Alignment with UNLV Campus Values through innovative and engaging programming.
• Clearly defined goals and measurable outcomes that articulate the program’s purpose and expected impact.
• Collaborative partnerships with multiple stakeholders – both internal to UNLV (such as other departments within the same college or across colleges) and external community organizations – are encouraged. Partnerships may involve financial support, student recruitment efforts, volunteer engagement, or shared program content, and must include demonstrated support from the unit supervisor.
• Flexibility in program design, implementation, and scheduling to effectively meet participant needs.
• Integration of diverse content areas and activities that support varied learning styles and developmental needs.
• Intentional focus on K-12 success and college and career readiness, incorporated into program components.
• Strategic plans for pilot implementation, scalability, and long-term sustainability.

Submission and Review Timeline:

• Proposal Deadline: Dec. 15, 2025 (priority consideration)
• Funding Decisions Announced: January 15, 2026

Click HERE to apply.