Do you have a project idea that will bring people of diverse backgrounds together for shared learning? Lisle International provides Global Seed Grants to support innovative projects which advance intercultural understanding through shared experiences, with the goal of creating a more just social order. Projects may seek to bridge a variety of community divides, including ethnic, cultural, religious, racial or gender perspectives, anywhere in the world.
Grant Review Timeline
The Request to Apply (RTA) and the Full Application (if invited to apply) are due at 12 a.m. Eastern Standard Time
April 1 – July 31, 2025: Phase One: RTA portal opens, allowing applicants to begin their applications online. Notifications of RTA acceptance will be sent during this period.
Sept. 1, 2025: Deadline for submitting Completed Application Forms for Phase Two for those whose RTAs are accepted.
Nov. 30, 2025: Global Seed Grants are selected at the annual Lisle Meeting in the fall and announced by November 30.
Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026: Projects are expected to be conducted within this timeframe.
Eligibility
The Lisle Global Seed Grants support projects that further the Lisle mission and promote intercultural communication and shared learning. It is essential applicants make clear how a proposed project promotes intercultural engagement and communication as a core goal achieved through intentional program components. Lisle only funds projects that promote intercultural understanding and bring people of diverse backgrounds together to share and learn from one another.
Lisle prefers to fund organizations rather than individuals. An individual may apply, but they should identify an organization with which they will affiliate to accomplish the project.
In keeping with the spirit of “seed grant,” Lisle supports new projects that have not been implemented before and have the potential to grow, rather than ongoing and/or well-funded programs. Lisle additionally prefers to be a significant donor on well-defined intercultural projects proposed by small and young organizations.
The most successful projects:
Are innovative and collaborative
Have intercultural interaction as central to the project
Work toward resolving conflicts
Promote community building
The Lisle Global Seed Grant program does NOT fund
infrastructure (e.g. buildings or furnishing schools)
hardware (e.g., computers)
travel costs for U.S. participants in international programs
salaries for U.S. volunteers in international projects
religious education or proselytizing
Lisle has posted on its website information about the previous grants. Reviewing that list, may help you understand the types of projects we have funded in the past.