CARE Grants

Applications for 2023/24 CARE Grants Are Now Closed - Please Check Back Next Year

NIC recognizes that mental health is a core component of success for both individuals and communities, and that post-secondary institutions are uniquely positioned to provide leadership in the promotion of health and well-being. NIC’s CARE² plan captures this belief and puts it into action with meaningful objectives and strategies to help improve the mental health and well-being of our entire campus community.

In 2022/23, $3000 was awarded to NIC faculty and staff to support innovative projects on each of the four main campuses. Each project promoted conditions for well-being in creative and varied ways.

Please see 2022/2023 CARE² Grants Final Report for more information about each of these projects.

We are pleased to announce that Student Life will be once again be opening applications for CARE (Compassion-Accessibility-Resilience-Engagement) Grants this year!

  1. The CARE Teaching and Learning Grant may be used for expenses related to the enhancement or promotion of mental health and well-being in a teaching and learning environment.
  2. The CARE Campus Community Grant may be used for expenses related to the enhancement or promotion of mental health and well-being in the NIC campus community.

Grants will be offered up to the amount of $1500 per initiative (smaller amounts can be requested). Total funding available (for both grants) is $3000.

Granting Goals

Initiatives should enhance and promote mental health and well-being. Preference will be given to projects that:

  1. Align with the CARE2 Plan: Student Mental Health and Well-being at NIC guiding principles of:
    • Care and Compassion
      Care, in the form of supports and services, and compassion, in the form of kindness and interpersonal connections, influence academic and personal success.
    • Education
      Education is at NIC’s core. We believe that NIC has the opportunity and responsibility to provide learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom, and to create supportive learning environments in which students can thrive.
    • Engagement/Connection
      Social connection and engagement are fundamental human needs and contribute significantly to mental health and well-being.
    • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
      Addressing equity, diversity and inclusion is essential to the health and well-being of our College community. This includes awareness and consideration of the historical, social and cultural factors that impact mental health and well-being.
    • Resilience and Capacity-building
      In addition to providing supports for those in distress, developing resiliency, coping skills and the ability to self-advocate are all vital to on-going, life-long health and well-being.
  2. Align with the Okanagan Charter Calls to Action to:
    • Embed health into all aspects of campus culture, across the administration, operations and academic mandates.
    • Lead health promotion action and collaboration locally and globally.
  3. Are sustainable beyond the life of the grant.
  4. Include interdisciplinary/interdepartmental collaboration.

Sample Projects

Here are just a few of the many projects that were awarded grants previously:

  • Cedar benches and planters installed outside the entrance to Mixalakwila campus.
  • BSN Indigenous Wellness Event.
  • Book club with Margaret Hearnden ‘Teaching Across Cultural Strengths’.
  • Artwork purchased for Student Services and Library & Learning Commons in Campbell River.
  • Development of walking trails at Comox Valley and Campbell River campuses.
  • Welcome signage in French, English and Nuu-chah-Nulth languages has been added to the walls in Registration in Port Alberni, as well as in the Campbell River and Comox Valley libraries.
  • A territorial acknowledgement has been installed in the Comox Valley library.
  • Staff trivia event hosted by CARTI.

Eligibility

All NIC employees (full time, part time and sessional) are eligible to apply for these grants. Each application will require approval from a supervisor.

Note: Applicants cannot apply for the CARE TL and CARE CC Grants for the same initiative.

Eligible Expenses

  1. Materials and supplies.
  2. Promotional materials.
  3. Other expenses (including equipment) with approval from Director, Student Affairs.

Timeline

Please submit applications by May 31, 2023 for fall 2023 or winter 2024 funding.

The applications will be reviewed by a sub-committee under the direction of the Director, Student Affairs. 

Successful applicants will be informed by June 23, 2023.

CARE Grant Application Form