Student-Led Place-Based Learning Grants

Each year VREC provides a range of mini-grants to schools for innovative projects. Updated for 2026–2027, Student-Led Place-Based Learning Grants of up to $1,750—plus a $250 teacher advisor honorarium—support projects that promote youth leadership and place-based education.

About the grant:
VREC encourages classrooms or student groups of all levels to participate in our student-led, place-based learning mini-grant process. This process fosters student voice through the development of the applications, pitching the ideas, and giving and receiving peer feedback. Students engage in direct hands-on implementation of projects and then present their completed project at the annual VREC Celebration of Learning in May. Students learn many transferable skills throughout the process and make meaningful contributions to their school community.

The process:
The mini-grant process begins in the fall with students pitching grant proposals to a group of their peers and a VREC panel. Students then write and submit their final grants. Projects run through the school year and are presented at the Celebration of Learning in May.

‍ VREC Student-Led Mini-Grant Timeline 2026-2027 *(Timeline may be adjusted as necessary.)

Inform the VREC Director of your intent to submit a grant by September 30, 2026. Email vrecdirector@gmail.com.
“Pitch” your grant to teams from other schools and our pitch panel virtually and participate in providing feedback to other schools. Dates and times for pitches will be set up the week of Oct. 19. *These will be set dates and times that schools can choose from.
Finish putting together your grant proposal and submit it by November 20, 2026.
School teams will be notified if they are awarded a grant by December 1, 2026, or given additional feedback and a new date to resubmit a revised proposal.
Checks will go out to schools in December.
School teams will work on projects from November 2026 to May 2027.
Teams will attend and present at the Celebration of Learning in May 2027.

How to apply:

‍Contact VREC Director John Castle at vrecdirector@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to apply.

“Introduction to Student-Led Place-Based Mini Grants”

Interested in having your students participate in the VREC Student-Led Place-Based Mini Grant process, but not sure what it entails? Join me, and veteran mini grant teachers, for a brief information session to learn more about the process, on either Thursday, September 17 or Wednesday, September 23 from 3:30 to 4:30. Email John Castle at vrecdirector@gmail.com to receive a Zoom invite.

“The VREC grant and process have become an invaluable component to my relevant, engaging, place-based fall unit that features seventh grade student leaders. The students look forward to “their turn” and therefore are critical contributors in the outreach, grant writing, grant pitch and ultimately the continuing success of the grant process. Thank you VREC for your commitment to our rural Walden community.”

Tammy Russell, Walden School

"I strongly believe in student voice and choice as an important part of learning. This opportunity allows students to pursue something meaningful to them while providing structure to focus on making their community better. It also helps develop civic-mindedness, strengthens their connection to their community, and builds a sense of purpose and belonging."

Jennifer Blay, Lowell Graded School

“The VREC mini-grant process demonstrates student voice in action, naturally strengthening connections among students, between the school, and the community. This unique opportunity empowers students to envision a project and see it through from start to finish.”‍

Teresa Bolton, Charleston School

"The VREC grant directly funds authentic, hands-on learning opportunities for students. The students are the leaders and decision-makers. They identify how they can positively impact their community and get to experience the entire process from planning and pitching their ideas to budgeting and creating. This grant gives all students genuine ownership over their learning and proves that even in a small rural school, their work can make a huge impact."

Lindsey LaCoss, Barnett School

2026 CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
VREC STUDENT-LED, PLACE-BASED LEARNING MINI-GRANTS

The Vermont Rural Education Collaborative (VREC) mini-grants support innovative, student-led, and place-based learning projects across our member schools. These grants fund unique initiatives designed to elevate youth leadership, foster civic engagement, and deepen school-community partnerships directly within the daily curriculum. By empowering students to lead real-world projects that celebrate local community assets, the program connects classroom learning with meaningful regional impact.

THE CELEBRATION!
Students and their teachers gathered at the St. Johnsbury School on May 20th, 2026, to present their mini-grant projects through slide shows, videos, and public speaking. The day included making new connections, a pizza lunch and outdoor fun!

VIEW THE 2025-26 MINI-GRANT PRESENTATIONS

VREC Mini-Grant Celebration of Learning 2025

The team from Charleston Elementary School enjoy a hearty lunch provided by the Sterling kitchen staff.

Cornhole was a big hit!

Over 70 students and staff from seven schools came together at Sterling College on May 27, 2025 for the annual VREC Celebration of Learning. Students presented their student-led, place-based learning mini-grant projects from this past year. These presentations were the culmination of our mini-grant process that starts in the fall with students pitching grant proposals to a group of their peers and a VREC panel. Students then write and submit their final grants. Awards of $1500 are provided for a wide range of projects. This year, we had several schools address accessibility for outdoor classrooms, nature trails and recreation.