Large Grants

Turning Ideas Into Action

RPIRG funds bold, justice-driven student initiatives that challenge systems of oppression and build a more equitable world. Every year, we allocate a significant portion of our revenue to support projects, campaigns, research, and events led by students who are organizing for change. Whether you're confronting racism, colonialism, climate injustice, or economic inequality, our funding exists to back your work and amplify your impact. We also significantly invest in your education by helping you build new skills through research, training and conferences.

This isn't just about financial support, it's also about resourcing your resistance. We're committed to redistributing power by investing in students who are building safer, more inclusive, and more just communities. If you're working to uplift marginalized voices, disrupt harmful narratives, or transform the structures around you, RPIRG is here to stand with you. While 80% of the funding for large grants is allocated to regular applications, 20% is dedicated solely to racial justice, ensuring our commitment to racial justice and equity. Before you apply, make sure to read the funding requirement, including the FAQ section.

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What We Fund

Project & Event

Supports student-led initiatives that create meaningful social or environmental impact. Eligible examples include community projects, workshops, public awareness campaigns, or events that educate, mobilize, and engage students and community members.

Training & Conference

Provides funding for students to attend or organize trainings, conferences, or skill-building opportunities that deepen their knowledge and capacity for social and environmental justice work. Applicants should demonstrate how the learning will be shared back with the wider community.

Grad Research

Assists graduate students conducting research aligned with RPIRG’s mandate. Funded research must address issues of social or environmental justice, use community-based or participatory methods where possible, and show clear benefits beyond academic requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

You are eligible to apply, if you are:

RPIRG student members – University of Regina student(s) who has not opted-out of RPIRG membership including students at Campion College, Luther College, and First Nations University of Canada; or
RPIRG community/associate members – community member(s) or groups who have opted-in to RPIRG membership by paying a $20/year membership fee; or
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Colour) – Regina residents who self-identify as being part of communities targeted by racial discrimination. The application must be related to Racial justice i.e organizing/advocacy/research/legal action being done individually or as part of groups, collectives, and organizations based in Regina (or led by UofR students in Saskatchewan more broadly)

Additionally, all projects, events, research, conferences or training opportunities:

must be aligned with RPIRG's values; and
must demonstrate a clear commitment to advancing social and/or environmental justice. Eligible initiatives should aim to create positive and lasting change by addressing one or more issues, such as equity, accessibility, sustainability, decolonization, anti-oppression, anti-racism, active citizenship or community engagement. Each application must describe how their initiative or participation contributes to systemic change, education, or community well-being, and how it builds knowledge, skills, or networks that strengthen their capacity to take meaningful action and become more active citizens on campus and beyond.

You can only apply for this grant once per fiscal year and cannot apply for a microgrant and another large grant for the same initiative during the same year. We do not fund any partisan group for any activity related to partisan politics. We also do not fund any fundraising activities.

Eligible Incentives

Event & Project: have a maximum grant funding amount of $5,000. When we receive too many applications for a single funding round, we may not be able to provide full funding, so we recommend highlighting priority area(s) in your budget so that we can try to make sure we can help you in those areas.
Training & Conferences: has a maximum grant funding amount of $600/ person or $2,000 for groups of 4 or more.
Grad Research: has a maximum grant funding amount of $800 per research project.

Check the FAQ section to see more information related to eligible and ineligible expenses.

How & When to Apply

Applications are accepted 5 times a year: Feb 1, Mar 1, July 1, Oct 1, and Nov 1

You can apply using the online application form below. For accessibility purposes, we also accept paper applications—please contact info@rpirg.org to request a template. If you are unable to complete either a paper or online application, RPIRG also accepts verbal applications from students with disabilities. To arrange this, please call 306-337-2420 or email info@rpirg.org.

Late and retroactive applications are not accepted.

Before You Apply:

Review the eligibility criteria to ensure your application qualifies.
Check the eligible expenses (FAQ section) and prepare a detailed budget using the RPIRG Budget Template⇲. Please make sure to download the spreadsheet in .xlsx file to be able to add any information.
Ensure your budget is accurate and realistic—applications are not assessed using a “ask more, get more” formula.

Apply Online

Application Assessment

All funding applications are reviewed in accordance with RPIRG’s Grant Funding Policy to ensure fairness, transparency, and consistency. To be considered, applications must meet all eligibility criteria outlined above. Applications are evaluated using the RPIRG Application Assessment Matrix, which assesses factors such as feasibility, community benefit, and alignment with RPIRG’s social and environmental justice mandate. We recognize that not every application will meet every priority or “tick every box” in our assessment criteria; therefore, we review each application holistically, considering the overall intent, impact, and potential of each proposal. Where applications present complex circumstances or are difficult to assess, decisions are made at the discretion of the Executive Director and/or the Board of Directors.

Large grants are reviewed and assessed after each deadline period has passed. Regardless of when you apply, we will not make a decision on an application until the deadline has passed. Applications asking for $2,000 or less will be processed 2-3 weeks past the deadline. However, applications asking for $2,000 or more will be processed in about 4 weeks. Since the applications of this kind are assessed by the Board, sometimes there may be a delay due to not meeting quorum for a Board meeting; however, it does not happen often, and we notify you in advance.

Although it is not a requirement, we recommend that you attend the board meeting to present your proposal for the large grant, in addition to submitting your application. This can allow you to answer clarifying questions/ additional information about your application. If you want to set up a presentation, please contact info@rpirg.org to arrange.

Follow Up Reporting

All RPIRG large grant recipients are required to submit a follow-up report within 30 days of their event/project/conference completion date. This follow-up process helps us understand the impact of your initiative and ensures accountability for the funds distributed through our student-led granting programs.

Your final report should include:

A summary of how the funds were used, including income, expenses, and receipts.
A reflection on outcomes, challenges, and how your initiative contributed to social or environmental justice.
Participant numbers, stories, testimonials, or feedback from your event or project.
Documentation of how RPIRG was acknowledged (e.g., logos, social media, posters, verbal recognition).
Links or copies of media coverage, photos, or other supporting materials.

You can submit your final report using the template⇲ included in your funding agreement and email it to info@rpirg.org. If you need more time to complete your report, contact us before the 30-day deadline to request an extension. Extensions are granted at RPIRG’s discretion.

Reporting Template

Frequently Asked Questions

What are eligible expenses?

RPIRG funding may be used to cover reasonable and necessary costs directly related to carrying out a project, event, research, training, or conference that advances social and/or environmental justice. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

Materials and supplies essential for project or event delivery (e.g., art supplies, printing, gardening materials, educational resources).
Venue rental and associated setup costs. We encourage you to book the campus venue. It is free for students and student groups.
Promotional and outreach expenses, such as posters, flyers, and digital marketing.
Honoraria and speaker fees for guest facilitators, performers, or knowledge keepers.
Accessibility supports, such as ASL interpretation, transportation, or childcare to make participation inclusive.
Registration fees for conferences, workshops, or training directly related to the applicant’s project or learning goals.
Travel and accommodation costs when directly tied to a funded project, event, or learning opportunity.
Food and non-alcoholic refreshments for public or participant-focused events, where appropriate.

What are ineligible expenses?

RPIRG funding cannot be used for personal gain, ongoing operational costs, or expenses that fall outside the scope of social and environmental justice work. Ineligible expenses include:

Wages, salaries, or honoraria for project organizers or team members.
Personal expenses unrelated to the project (e.g., rent, tuition, groceries, personal travel).
Alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or other controlled substances.
Gifts, prizes, or cash awards that are not integral to the project’s purpose.
Capital purchases or equipment not essential to the project (e.g., laptops, cameras, phones).
Fundraising activities or donations to other organizations.
Expenses incurred before funding approval.

Do you accept retroactive application?

What are your processing time?

Large grants are reviewed and assessed after each deadline period has passed. Regardless of when you apply, we will not make a decision on an application until the deadline has passed. Applications asking for $2,000 or less will be processed 2-3 weeks past the deadline. Applications asking for $2,000 or more will be processed in about 4 weeks. Since the applications of this kind are assessed by the Board, sometimes there may be a delay due to not meeting quorum for a Board meeting; however, it does not happen often, and we notify you in advance.

I am not a student, can I apply?

I am not sure if I am eligible

I would like to partner with RPIRG

Past Funding Recipients

RPIRG funding supports student- and community-led research, education, and action initiatives that advance the public interest. Past funding recipients have used this support to address social, environmental, and economic justice issues, strengthen community collaboration, and build student leadership. Through this funding, student fees are transformed into accessible research, grassroots organizing, and meaningful outcomes both on campus and in the broader Regina community.

2025-26

2024-25

2023-24