The UCLA Dialogue Across Difference (DaD) Initiative is pleased to offer funding to support UCLA undergraduate and graduate/professional students who want to deepen their engagement with the principles and practices of dialogue. DaD is dedicated to promoting the values of active listening, empathy, intellectual engagement, and curiosity across lines of difference on campus.
Applications are now open for Winter Quarter 2027 Programing or Training.
Application Deadline: October 30th, 2026
An Information Session will be held on 10/22/26 from 7-8pm. RSVP here.
The DaD Bruin Bridge-Builders Fund offers two types of grant opportunities to students:
Training Grants
These grants (ranging from $250-$2500) are intended to support students’ participation in opportunities that help them build the muscle to navigate differences or to advance dialogue on campus. For example, students would be eligible to use funds to attend workshops, events, conferences, trainings or seminars that build their skills in the principles of dialogue.
Requirements:
- Students should be able to explain in their application how this experience will help build their capacity for dialogue across difference.
- Recipients of this grant will be required to write a short reflection about their experience, and to share their learning with the UCLA community in at least one of the following ways (students should indicate their preference when they apply):
- Publish their written reflection on the DaD website
- Present about their learning at a DaD program
- 1-1 meetings with at least three other students to share their learning
- Other ideas are welcome
Eligible items for funding:
- Examples of items eligible for funding: Registration fees (conferences, workshops, training programs), airfare, lodging, dialogue-related reading material
- Examples of items ineligible for funding: Personal coaching or contract fees, office supplies or equipment, university tuition
Examples might include (but are not limited to):
- Participation in a facilitation or mediation training or workshop
- Participation in a conference for a “bridging,” dialogue, conflict resolution, or related organization
- Participation in a retreat for bridge builders
- Participation in trips or experiences related to peace and conflict studies
Eligibility to apply: UCLA undergraduate and graduate/professional students are welcome to apply.
Program Grants
These grants (ranging from $250-$5000) are intended to support student-led dialogue programs and activities that promote the values of active listening, empathy, intellectual engagement, and curiosity on campus. For example, students may use these funds to organize their own intentional dialogues, to host guests who promote the values of dialogue, or to develop other dialogue-related ideas.
Requirements:
- Students should be able to explain how their idea will help build a culture of constructive dialogue across difference at UCLA.
- Students should have a clear plan for how they will develop and implement their dialogue idea, and should submit a short budget explaining how the funds will support their program. Note: Student groups should notify their SOLE advisor of their plan to apply for these funds.
- Recipients of this grant will be required to submit a short report summarizing the program or idea, and if relevant and appropriate, submit a photo of the event.
Eligible items for funding:
- Examples of items eligible for funding: food, supplies, facilities, advertising/ graphics, honoraria and consultant fees for external speakers, transportation.
- Examples of items ineligible for funding: clothing, decorations, purchase of electrical, digital, or mechanical equipment (e.g., computers, cameras, etc.)
Examples of possible programs might include (but are not limited to):
- Dinner dialogue to discuss political topics from different perspectives
- Story sharing program that highlights different identities and narratives
- A film screening of a movie that models dialogue across difference (e.g., see “film” tab here for examples)
- A professionally mediated conversation to help resolve a student group conflict
- A printed “how-to” guide for how to have hard conversations across difference
Eligibility to apply:
UCLA undergraduate and graduate/professional students are welcome to apply.
- Both individual students and Registered Campus Organizations are welcome to apply for the Program grant.
- Recipients of the Program Grant must have some demonstrated experience with or exposure to the principles of dialogue. (E.g., participation in a past DaD training or event; completion of a dialogue-related course or program at UCLA; completion or involvement in a dialogue or bridging training program outside UCLA)
FAQs
When are applications due?
Applications are due by Friday of Week 5, for funding to be dispersed during the following quarter.
| Application Deadline |
Notification of Application Status
|
Funding Grant Period (ie. when the program or training will take place) |
|
Fall Week 5
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at 11:59PM
|
November 16-20, 2026 |
Winter 2027
|
|
Winter Week 5
Friday Feb. 5, 2027 at 11:59PM
|
February 22-26, 2027 |
Spring 2027
|
|
Spring Week 5
Friday April 30, 2027 at 11:59PM
|
May 17-21, 2027 | Fall 2027 |
How soon can I expect to be notified if my application was approved?
Applications are reviewed after the submission deadline each quarter during a two-week period (typically Week6-7). We may contact applicants to follow-up on specific program/training questions during the review period. Applicants can expect to be notified by the end of Week 8. If you have an urgent, time-sensitive request, please email kindness@ucla.edu.
| Application Deadline |
Notification of Application Status
|
Funding Grant Period (ie. when the program or training will take place) |
|
Fall Week 5
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026 at 11:59PM
|
November 16-20, 2026 |
Winter 2027
|
|
Winter Week 5
Friday Feb. 5, 2027 at 11:59PM
|
February 22-26, 2027 |
Spring 2027
|
|
Spring Week 5
Friday April 30, 2027 at 11:59PM
|
May 17-21, 2027 | Fall 2027 |
What counts as “dialogue” or “bridge building”?
The UCLA Dialogue Across Difference Initiative seeks to promote the values of active listening, empathy, intellectual engagement and curiosity across lines of difference on campus. There are many approaches and frameworks for dialogue that might help achieve these aims, such as intergroup dialogue, conflict resolution and mediation, restorative justice, multi-narrative exchanges, and other more informal modes of connecting across difference.
These funds are not restricted to any one dialogue approach, framework, or audience. That said, they are chiefly reserved for initiatives that help students understand, communicate, and connect across lines of difference.
Can I apply for a program to build bridges or foster dialogue within my student group or community?
Yes! Dialogue can take place between groups (“intergroup”) or within different members of a specific group (“intragroup”). If you are navigating differences between members of the same group or organization, you may also apply for funding to support dialogue within your group.
Can I get help with my program idea?
If you are applying as a Registered Campus Organization, you can get program support or advice from your SOLE advisor.
If you are applying as an individual, please reach out to us at kindness@ucla.edu to speak to a BKI Staff.
You may also reach out to the BKI Student Interns for support at bkiintern@ucla.edu.
The Student Dialogue Network (SDN) also offers support to students interested in applying for funding through the Bruin Bridge Builders Fund. The SDN meets three times per quarter. The schedule can be found here. No RSVP required.
How often can I apply to DaD grants?
Students and Registered Campus Organizations may apply for a training grant OR program grant once per quarter.
I am interested in learning more about dialogue, but I don’t know where to start.
The Dialogue Across Difference Initiative offers ongoing workshops for students who want to gain skills for having hard conversations across difference. Sign up for our newsletter here to learn more.
For ideas on where to start check out the UCLA Dialogue Resources Inventory where you can find professors, classes, student orgs, and programs related to dialogue and bridging on campus.
For ideas on where to start beyond UCLA check out the External Dialogue Resources page where you can find fellowships, courses, trainings, networks, and conferences – and more – that fit your interests.
Still don’t know where to begin? Reach out to the BKI Student Interns at bkiintern@ucla.edu to set up a meeting with an intern and get ideas, or attend a Student Dialogue Network meeting to connect with other UCLA students engaged in bridging and dialogue work on campus and beyond.
Can I apply to both a Training Grant and a Program Grant at the same time?
No, a student or organization may only apply to either grant once per quarter.
Do you support applications dealing with political subject matter?
The UCLA Dialogue across Difference Initiative and the Bruin Bridge Builders Fund do not adopt political stances. This does not mean that your proposal cannot touch political subject matter. On the contrary, dialogue across difference about political or ideological subject matter is vitally important and encouraged. Rather, applications will be judged on the extent to which they promote the values of the DaD initiative (empathy, active listening, intellectual engagement, critical thinking) across difference, and have an explicitly stated approach to exploring differences.
Dialogue Across Difference Initiative
1500 Public Affairs Building
337 Charles E Young Dr E
Los Angeles, CA 90095