Student Innovation Grant 2026

Queen’s,

Your AMS Executive Team is excited to introduce the Student Innovation Grant, designed to empower undergraduate students to turn their ideas into meaningful projects that improve the student experience at Queen’s University.

By providing financial support for student-led initiatives, the grant encourages creative solutions that advance affordability, engagement, and accountability within the community. Whether through improving access to resources, strengthening student well-being, creating a more inclusive and sustainable campus, or enhancing student representation and governance, the grant is designed to help students turn ambitious ideas into measurable impact.

Team DAE is committed to investing in projects that demonstrate innovation, collaboration, and lasting benefits for the undergraduate student community while reflecting the values and mission of the Alma Mater Society.

 

ELIGIBILITY: 

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an AMS member or group of AMS members.
• Submit a completed application in accordance with the requirements outlined below.
• The applicant/project must not be an AMS office, service, or commission. However, AMS offices, services, or commissions may participate as collaborators or supporting partners.
• The project must align with the AMS mandate, mission, and constitutional values and must not conflict with or undermine them.
• The project must be started and substantially initiated by April 2027.
• Priority will be given to non-AMS managerial employees.
• Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate a clear and meaningful impact in one or more of the priority areas outlined below.

 

Funding is available for projects requesting between $100 and $5,000 CAD. Applications are welcome for projects of all sizes within this funding range.

 

PRIORITY PROJECT AREAS: 

Projects should demonstrate a meaningful impact in one or more of the following priority areas:

Affordability: Projects or advocacy initiatives that help students save money and/or time while creating sustainable, equitable, and accessible opportunities, resources, and services.

Examples include:

• Housing security and affordability
• Food security and affordability
• Energy consumption and efficiency
• Financial planning and development

Engagement: Projects that create meaningful and memorable student experiences, strengthen community, improve safety and inclusion, promote equity and sustainability, or support a high-quality student experience.

Examples include:

• Research on student issues
• Community space development
• Harm reduction programming
• Engaging and relevant events or experiences

Accountability: Projects that strengthen governance, student representation, transparency, or institutional relationships, helping build trust between students and organizations such as the AMS, Queen’s University, and the City of Kingston.

Examples include:

• • Sustainable systems projects
  • Civic engagement initiatives
  • Student representation and governance initiatives
  • University improvement projects

 

APPLICATION COMPONENTS: 

Applications may be submitted at any time until January 15, 2027 and will be reviewed for funding by the AMS Executive. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, particularly if their project requires an earlier start date.

Applications must be submitted by email to and include a project proposal of no more than three pages.

The proposal should include:

1. Applicant Information: Name, Queen’s student email, and student number. For group or club applications, include this information for all project leads and significant contributors.
2. Project Title & Team Roles: The project title and, for group projects, the roles and responsibilities of key team members.
3. Project Description: A description of the proposed project, its purpose, and what it aims to accomplish (maximum 500 words).
4. Project Timeline: A detailed timeline outlining key stages, milestones, and the anticipated project start and completion dates.
5. Project Budget: A breakdown of anticipated expenses and the total amount of funding requested.
6. Student Impact: An assessment of how the project will benefit Queen’s undergraduate students and contribute to one or more of the grant’s priority areas.
7. Success Measures: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or other measurable outcomes that will be used to evaluate the project’s success and impact on students.
8. Supporting Contributors: Any faculty members, local professionals, organizations, or other contacts providing expertise, services, resources, or other support to the project at no cost, if applicable.
9. Priority Area Self-Assessment: Completion of the provided rubric identifying how the project addresses the grant’s priority area(s).
10. SWOT Analysis (Recommended): A high-level assessment of the project’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

 

Rubric for Priority Area Self-Assessment: 

Justification (Max 250 words): Explain how your project supports the priority area(s) you selected, including the primary area of impact and any measurable outcomes you expect for undergraduate students.

Once I submit a Application what happens next? 

1. Application Review: The AMS Executive will review your application within 21 days of receiving it. During the review process, the Executive may request a meeting with the applicant(s) to discuss the proposal or clarify additional details.
2. Funding Decision: Applicants will be notified of their application status and approved funding amount, if applicable.
3. Project Agreement: Successful applicants will meet with the Executive to confirm the project timeline, funding expectations, and reporting requirements. Applicants will then sign a Project Commitment Agreement outlining these expectations.
4. Funding & Project Implementation: Once the agreement is finalized, the Executive will submit the approved funding to AMS Accounting for processing. The student or group can then carry out the project while meeting the reporting requirements outlined in the Project Commitment Agreement.
5. Project Recognition: Projects that are completed or underway before March 2027 may, with the applicant’s consent, be highlighted across AMS communications channels to showcase the project and its impact on undergraduate students.