Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in Vermont

Vermont nonprofits, public agencies, and fiscally sponsored groups serving basic human needs can request up to US $5,000 for urgent, unbudgeted expenses or time-sensitive opportunities in Vermont. Grants from Vermont Community Foundation help mentoring and tutoring programs cover emergency repairs, essential equipment replacement, critical short-term staffing, or staff and volunteer well-being initiatives.

Vermont 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public agencies, municipalities, and fiscally sponsored groups can receive up to US $5,000 to hire consultants for strategic, financial, and organizational capacity planning. With a mission to strengthen Vermont communities, Vermont Community Foundation provides smaller organizations, including those running tutoring and mentoring programs, with support for activities like strategic planning, DEI work, board training, and adapting to federal funding changes.

Schools and youth-serving organizations in Vermont seeking to expand high-quality afterschool, summer learning, and mentoring-style enrichment programs can apply for the Vermont Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC Grant. Grants from Vermont Agency of Education provide US $250,000 - US $700,000 over five years to support comprehensive academic, social-emotional, arts, and STEM opportunities for children and teens.

Vermont mentoring and tutoring programs creating hyperlocal, place-based community projects can seek $500 - $5,000 to build social connections and opportunities statewide. Vermont Community Foundation’s Spark Connecting Community grants back grassroots efforts, prioritizing small-budget groups and projects in Essex, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties that foster meaningful relationships, inclusion, and community vitality.

The McGraw Foundation offers annual grants to not-for-profit organizations, primarily in the greater Chicago area, focusing on education, conservation, and human services. Grant amounts typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with larger grants available for particularly impactful projects. While supporting diverse initiatives, the Foundation does not fund individuals or specific events. Organizations must be tax-exempt under IRS regulations to qualify for funding. The Foundation encourages innovative approaches and partnerships in grant applications.

Vermont high school, undergraduate, and medical students interested in healthcare careers can access mentoring support through the CLIMB Near Peer Mentorship Program, a year-long virtual initiative. John Muir Health’s multi-level program connects learners from high school through residency, offering weekly mentorship and opportunities to mentor younger students in tutoring and mentoring contexts.

Emerging film composers in the U.S. can receive approximately US $20,000 to support scoring for independently financed feature-length films in production or post-production, including mentoring and key music production costs. New Music USA’s Reel Change Film Fund backs expenses like composer fees, live musicians, studio time, and engineering, which may benefit Vermont mentoring-focused arts projects involving film and music.

Vermont students interested in legal careers and mentoring-focused development can access a seven-week paid Josh Dubin Fellowship experience, plus scholarship support for educational expenses. With a mission to expand higher education access, Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund provides U.S. Shawn Carter Foundation scholars with legal research, case analysis, site visits, and mentorship from practicing attorneys and law school leaders.

Emerging researchers pursuing or planning PhDs in fields like computer science, data science, or AI can access mentoring and research training through this predoctoral program, including candidates from Vermont. Grants from Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence help participants gain hands-on research experience, co-author publications, and receive guidance for successful graduate school applications.

Graduating high school seniors within Conroe Independent School District planning to study business, engineering, or related fields at a four-year college can receive a renewable scholarship with one-on-one mentorship support. Bradley Family Foundation supports higher education and mentoring for U.S. students, which may interest Vermont mentoring organizations guiding eligible youth toward such opportunities.

Undergraduate, master’s, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can gain paid summer research experience through this program, including opportunities in Vermont. With a mission to change the lives of children with cancer, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation provides up to US $5,000 for mentored pediatric cancer research internships, with some awards prioritizing underrepresented groups in STEM.

High school seniors seeking undergraduate education funding and mentoring support can apply for scholarships from Rotary Club of Milwaukee, awarding US $3,000 - US $5,000. Grants from Rotary Club of Milwaukee help Vermont tutoring and mentoring programs identify college-bound youth who may benefit, including financial assistance, ongoing mentorship, and educational programming throughout college.

With a mission to support tutoring, mentoring, and artist development, United Institute for Theatre Technology provides Vermont mentoring professionals with a US $2,000 stipend and intensive production management experience at its Annual Conference. Early-career live entertainment production managers who are USITT members and meet citizenship or enrollment requirements may be eligible.

Faculty at U.S. colleges and universities developing or expanding undergraduate mentoring and discussion-based programs grounded in the liberal tradition may be eligible for these grants, including those serving Vermont students. Institute for Humane Studies supports faculty-led reading groups, mentorship programs, workshops, and symposia that foster sustained intellectual engagement on political, economic, and civic questions.

American College Of Sports Medicine Foundation Inc

ACSM is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with nearly 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified fitness professionals.

Our Mission: To educate and empower professionals to advance the science and practice of health and human performance.

GSSI Pathways in Sports Science Award | Graduate Student Research & Mentorship Award

GSSI celebrates the passion, resilience, and academic excellence of first-generation college students pursuing graduate degrees in exercise physiology, sports science, kinesiology, and/or sports nutrition. Designed to empower emerging leaders in the field, the award recognizes individuals who are breaking new ground, not only in their families but in the science of human performance.

In addition to research funding, to help promote professional development, award winners will receive one year of 1:1 mentorship from a GSSI scientist. Award winners will also receive complementary registration to ACSM’s 2027 Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN.

ACSM requires award winners to:   

• Submit official transcripts if selected as an award winner, 
• Attend the 2027 ACSM Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN. 
• Present funded research at a future ACSM Annual Meeting, and   
• Send ACSM a copy of any publications or presentations related to the funded research. 

Students ages 17–26 in Vermont seeking mentoring and financial support for higher education can apply for this scholarship and 14-week mentorship program, which serves youth across the U.S. Grants from Pizza Hut Foundation help participants access undergraduate, vocational, technical, or trade programs while receiving ongoing monthly mentor engagement during their studies.

Vermont early childhood mentoring and tutoring leaders with community-rooted, pilot-ready ideas can access funding through Promise Venture Studio’s Imagine Award. This U.S.-wide program offers US $20,000 in flexible support plus a six-month cohort experience to test early childhood solutions, gather feedback, and refine impact and business models.

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) offers research training programs aimed at advancing education research through two key initiatives: the Early Career Development and Mentoring Program and the Methods Training Program. These programs support emerging researchers in developing their skills and enhancing their research capabilities to address vital education issues. The funding is designed for early career investigators and current education researchers, fostering rigorous and relevant research that informs education policy and practice.

Chicken & Egg Pictures Inc

Chicken & Egg Films was founded in 2005 by documentary film industry veterans Julie Parker Benello, Wendy Ettinger, and Judith Helfand. As filmmakers, teachers, funders, and impact producers, they were inspired to utilize their collective expertise to uplift the power of fellow women storytellers. Chicken & Egg was thus created to help address financial and creative challenges uniquely faced by women in the field–a model that married funding with mentorship to create not just an organization, but a growing community. 

Chicken & Egg Films shapes a more equitable and just world with the catalytic power of documentary films by providing funding, mentorship and industry access to a global community of women and gender-expansive filmmakers. 

Chicken & Egg Award

The Chicken & Egg Award recognizes women and gender-expansive filmmakers at advanced stages in their careers who are poised to reach new heights in their creative and impact trajectories across the world.

Despite progress by talented women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers across the globe, there are often still numerous roadblocks that stand in the way of a true industry breakthrough. These barriers are often tied to gender, race, class, disability, and geography. Only a few women and gender-expansive nonfiction directors in the United States and abroad are able to work full time as independent storytellers, and few are folks of color, from working-class backgrounds, or from under-represented countries. 

There are, however, a growing number who are getting close. Each has made several films, and each is an influential leader for the issues they explore on screen. With this Award, Chicken & Egg Films is making a bold investment in these creatives and a statement about gender equity. A greater diversity of voices participating in storytelling drives change. We believe this effort is inextricably connected to elevating critical social justice, environmental, and human rights issues. 

The Chicken & Egg Award consists of a $75,000 USD cash award and a year-long mentorship program. Of the total, $50,000 is unrestricted, allowing filmmakers to decide how to use the funding to support their creative and business practices. The additional $25,000 is a grant for the project(s) the filmmaker will work on during their program year. Our in-depth mentorship program is focused on strengthening Awardees’ professional infrastructure, increasing their visibility, and fulfilling their personal and creative goals.

The Established Clinician Investigator Award to Support Mentoring (KS1) is designed to provide established clinician investigators with dedicated time for mentoring early-career clinician research scientists. This initiative by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health (NIH) aims to enhance the quality of mentorship, fostering the development of future leaders in clinical research. It supports a sustained commitment to training and guidance, ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled professionals.

The Mentored Career Transition Award (KT1/R00) offers a biphasic funding opportunity for up to 5 years, supporting the transition of postdoctoral researchers to independent faculty positions. The first phase provides 1-2 years of mentored career development, while the second phase grants up to 3 years of independent research support, contingent upon satisfactory progress and faculty appointment. This grant aims to enhance the capacity of early-career researchers in achieving research-intensive roles.

The Mentored Clinician Research Scientist Career Development Award (KC1) from the NIH supports clinician research scientists for up to five years, providing dedicated time for intensive research career development. This award aims to guide candidates with clinical doctoral degrees towards achieving research independence by pairing them with experienced mentors who can help navigate their career paths.

The Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (KR1) offers crucial support for researchers aiming for independence. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services through the NIH, this award allows candidates to engage in intensive research training under a mentor's guidance for up to five years. It is designed for those with research doctoral degrees, facilitating their transition into independent research roles and enhancing their contributions to the scientific community.

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships

A fellowship for experienced journalists with a focus on international health.

In comparing the U.S. health care system to its global counterparts, journalists traveling to different countries as part of the AHCJ International Fellowship program can produce projects that provide valuable insights that can help inform policy decisions, improve health care outcomes and contribute to the ongoing evolution of health care systems worldwide.

Through the AHCJ International Health Study Fellowships, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, you can pursue a story or project comparing a facet of the U.S. health care system to that of another country. 

For 2027, the focus will be on the U.K. and France in comparison with the U.S. health care system. You’ll pursue the projects with the support of your newsrooms or arranged outlets, which commit to publish or air the work.

This fellowship allows highly experienced journalists to maintain their regular employment while working to evaluate a key component of the health care system, a health outcome, access, performance, providers, efficiency or other focal point over a six-month period.

That period allows for preparatory time, a site visit to the chosen European country, interviews and information gathering, as well as follow-up and writing time. Guidance is provided through seminars, conference calls and consultations with AHCJ fellowship leaders, a mentor and exposure to various topic experts.

About

Building a community of journalists committed to better health care reporting.

We believe accurate, contextual and balanced health care reporting is more important than ever.

People depend on health care stories to make life-altering decisions every day.

AHCJ U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship

This opportunity is for U.S.-based journalists.

Issues with the U.S. health care system are often obvious — from large swaths of uninsured residents and junk insurance plans, to high maternal mortality rates and preventable medical errors. But what is at the root of issues like these? What could an equitable health care system look like? 

Through the U.S. Health System Reporting Fellowship, supported by The Commonwealth Fund, you can pursue a significant reporting project related to the U.S. health care system at the local, regional and/or national level.

This fellowship allows mid-career journalists to maintain their regular employment while working on a major project over a 12-month calendar year. You’ll pursue the projects with the support of your newsrooms or arranged outlets, which commit to publish or air the work.

We believe that issues of health equity impact every facet of the health care system, which is why we’re specifically interested in projects focused on health equity. This might include racial disparities within a community, gaps in public health inclusion, unstable housing, insurance access, food insecurity, violence as a health issue, how health care institutions or systems are applying a racial equity lens to their policies and practices or otherwise addressing inequities or disparities, or other examinations of systemic problems that have become so apparent over the last few years.

Guidance is provided by AHCJ mentors through customized seminars on health care systems, conference calls and email consultations. The fellowship covers the cost of attending the seminars and the annual AHCJ conference, as well as a $2,500 project allowance to defray the cost of field reporting, health data analysis and other project-related research. In addition, you will receive a $5,000 fellowship award upon the successful completion of the project.

The Retina Society, Inc.

The Retina Society was founded in 1968 exclusively for educational and scientific purposes concerning the diagnosis, care and treatment of diseases and injuries to the retina. The Retina Society began as an outgrowth of alumni meetings of Retina Associates, a retina practice founded in Boston in 1951 by Charles L. Schepens. Dr. Schepens is credited with establishing retina surgery as a sub-specialty.  

Our mission is to reduce worldwide visual disability and blindness by promoting the education and professional interaction of vitreoretinal specialists, providing optimal care for patients with vitreoretinal diseases, and encouraging, through clinical and basic research, the discovery and development of new means to further patient care.

Retina Society Underrepresented in Medicine (RESOURCE) Mentoring Program

The Retina Society Underrepresented in Medicine (RESOURCE) Mentoring Program was created to engage and interest ophthalmology residents from underrepresented populations* in research and in pursuing careers in the retina subspecialty through dedicated mentoring exposure. The program will pair ophthalmology residents from underrepresented backgrounds with Retina Society mentors, with the goal of providing the residents with research and career mentorship.

*The American Association of Medical Colleges definition of underrepresented in medicine is: "Underrepresented in medicine means those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population." We define the following groups as underrepresented: Black (African American or African), Latino/Hispanic, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. We will also be considering applicants from LGBTQIA+ and socioeconomically underprivileged backgrounds.

Mentors will work with their designated mentees on research projects that will be presented at the Retina Society Annual Meeting in 2027 and submitted for publication consideration. Mentors and mentees will be acknowledged at the Retina Society Annual Meeting.