NEHS is accepting applications for a variety of grants and writing challenges now through October 10, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
The Intellectual Freedom Challenge
The Intellectual Freedom Challenge (IFC) encourages students to write argumentative essays based on potentially controversial texts and, in doing so, compete for the Crafton Awards. These awards are named after Dr. Robert Crafton, past president of Sigma Tau Delta.
Winning students will each receive a $100 check and a Crafton Award certificate, and their supporting Chapter Advisor will receive a check of $50.
Poetry Writing & Performance Challenge
This year’s poetry competition focuses on the work of current US Poet Laureate, Ada Limón. In order to encourage students to consider not only the writing but the performance of their poems, we are asking participants to write a poem in a style of their choosing and then perform it. Both text and video recording of the performance will be uploaded as part of the application.
Winning students will be notified by email and will have their work published on the NEHS blog. All winning students will be candidates to receive prizes at the end of the year.
Literacy Initiative Grants for Nonprofit Organizations
The new NEHS Literacy Initiative Grant seeks to provide financial support to deserving community-focused nonprofit organizations working to promote literacy among children and young people around the world.
A total of $3,000 is available to support organizations in one of the following categories:
- Literacy-focused nonprofit community organizations working with children and young people based within the city hosting the Sigma Tau Delta International English Convention (in 2024: St. Louis, MO).
- Literacy-focused nonprofit community organizations working with children and young people located anywhere in the world.
Classroom Library Grants
Classroom Library Grants help teachers generate interest in literature and language within NEHS schools, foster all aspects of English study including literature, language, writing, and media, provide teachers at NEHS schools with a range of compelling literature to share with the students they teach, and give students access to diverse, inclusive, and high-quality texts, particularly in areas where access to libraries or books at home may be limited.
NEHS Chapter Advisors at all stages of their career, but within their first five years serving as a Chapter Advisor, are welcome to apply for up to $400 to create or expand upon classroom libraries with texts that will motivate students to read high-quality literature in different forms.
Chapter Project Grants
NEHS Chapter Project Grants are designed to encourage local chapters to be innovative in developing projects that further the goals of the Society and support their local community in one of the following areas: academic focus; community engagement; diversity, equity, and inclusion; collaborative projects. Projects must be organized and led by student members and endorsed and monitored by Chapter Advisors.
The Society will award a number of grants, of no more than $200 each, each semester to support chapter activities.
More from NEHSXpress: October 3, 2023
Kayte Nunn Common Reader Webinar & Ada Limón Bonus Content
Banned Books Week Limited Edition Merchandise
Thank Your English Teacher on World Teachers’ Day 2023
Join the NEHS Advisory Council
