A central component of the Lab is a capstone project. Participants will either build an existing project or area of work or implement a clearly defined idea that they can advance during the program. Completion of Capstones must be feasible within the six-month program timeframe and are anticipated to serve as both a demonstration of learning and a practical contribution to a participant’s institution, community, career pathway, or broader equity goals. Participants are encouraged to pursue capstones aligned with AAUW’s mission and with a clearly articulated problem or opportunity for change.
Universal capstone components include:
- A leadership positionality statement identifying who the participant is as a leader, the communities they’re accountable to, and the change participants are committed to making
- A strategic document identifying the barriers the participant is navigating, the relationships they’re cultivating, and the stakeholders central to their capstone’s impact
- A feasibility plan explaining how the capstone advances the participant’s leadership practice and contributes to the communities or fields they serve within the program timeframe.
Illustrative capstone projects may include institutional or workplace change initiatives, community or movement-focused efforts, or equity-centered thought leadership with an optional public-facing artifact.
Capstone projects may take a variety of forms.
- Institutional or Workplace Changes
For example, redesigning a course, program or practice using liberatory or equity-centered approaches – such as including inclusive assessment, trauma-informed practices or accessible design. This type of project may result in tangible deliverables such as a revised syllabus or program model and evaluation plan.
- Community or Movement-Focused Initiatives
For example, projects may include co-designing an event, resource or mini-program with a community-based organizations to advance gender justice, translating research or institutional knowledge into accessible, community-facing materials, or supporting an existing advocacy campaign through research, communications or coalition-building. Illustrative deliverables may include an event plan, toolkit or resource guide or a framework to strengthen connections between a higher ed campus and broader movements.
- Equity-Centered Thought Leadership
For example, creating a thought leadership piece or professional contribution such as an article, op-ed, conference proposal, or resource. These projects may include a dissemination or engagement plan and should be designed to amplify ideas, broaden impact, and contribute meaningfully to conversations aligned with AAUW’s mission. While projects may be individually authored, they must be grounded in the participant’s Leadership Positionality Statement, identify a clear intended audience, articulate the discourse or issue the project engages, and describe the broader field, profession, or community the work is intended to influence or advance.
- AAUW Partnership Project
Participants design and implement a structured effort to surface perspectives from their campus community on policy threats affecting higher education. This may include listening sessions, policy salons, or other forms of community engagement — with the approach shaped by the participant’s context and relationships. Findings are synthesized into a report shared with AAUW’s policy team, giving participants a direct line to national advocacy and the experience of translating community voice into policy-relevant insight.
The capstone is intended to serve as both a demonstration of learning and a practical contribution to a participant’s institution, community, career pathway, or broader equity goals. Participants are required to pursue capstones aligned with AAUW’s mission and with a clearly articulated problem or opportunity for change.
Throughout the program, participants will receive structured support to move their capstone forward, including coaching, peer feedback, and access to AAUW resources and networks. Participants may also be eligible to receive up to $2,000 in project support to advance their capstone work.
This funding is intended for projects that serve a broader public benefit—such as advancing equity-focused initiatives within a college or university, supporting community- or movement-based efforts, or creating resources, programs, or thought leadership that are accessible to and benefit a wider group (e.g., students, educators, or community members), rather than specific, pre-selected individuals.
Grant Details
The Capstone Project Grant provides funding of up to $2,000 to support charitable, community-based initiatives for the advancement of women. Grant funds must be maintained in a separate individual account dedicated solely to approved project funds and may not be combined with personal funds or used for personal expenses.
AAUW reserves the right to adjust the final award amount based on the review of the proposed project budget and the allowability of specific expenses.
Prohibited Costs
The following expenses are not eligible for funding:
- Capital equipment purchases, construction, renovations, or infrastructure projects
- Fundraising activities
- Making grants to other organizations or individuals
- Payments to the applicant or for personal expenses
- Political campaigns, lobbying (to influence legislation), or voter registration drives
- Salaries of any kind
- Scholarship or tuition payments
Projects must not generate personal financial benefits or profits for the applicant.
Project Grant Requirements
Project Proposal Narrative
Applicants must address the following components in their narrative:
- Abstract – provide a brief summary of the project, its objectives, and expected outcomes.
- Community Context & Need – Describe the local context, the specific need your project addresses, and any supporting evidence (e.g., local data, community assessments, stakeholder feedback).
- Project Description – Explain your project goals, target outcomes, and activities, showing how they connect to the intended results.
- Leadership and Community Engagement – Describe how you will engage stakeholders or community members in your project through your relevant skills and experience.
- Project Timeline – Provide a clear, detailed, and realistic timeline outlining key project activities, milestones, and expected outputs over the grant period.
- Monitoring & Evaluation – Explain how you will assess project outcomes and how results or lessons learned will be shared with stakeholders and the communities served.
Project Budget
Applicants must submit:
- An accurate, itemized budget for the proposed project.
- A budget narrative explaining line items, resource allocation, and justification of costs.
Any significant modification to the approved project budget must receive prior written approval from AAUW before funds are reallocated.
