Professional Development Grants provide support for ACE members to pursue projects and training to upgrade their knowledge and skills. Grants can be used to explore new technologies or concepts, solve everyday problems or work on team projects. The goal is to have the recipient share their knowledge and findings with the ACE membership.   Recipients of Development Grants are encouraged to present their findings at the ACE Annual Conference the summer following their grant. See below for grant guidelines or view the online application.  

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant. 

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an ACE member in good standing for a minimum of three years, with all current dues paid.

Project Requirements

• Project must be completed within one year of receiving the grant.

Application Requirements

• A written report detailing activities that align with ACE’s mission and objectives.
• A professional biography.
• A letter of support from the applicant’s administrator.

Recipient Commitments

• Recipients should be prepared to share insights, outcomes, and impacts of the project either at the annual ACE conference or through a webinar.

Grants are competitive and meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee you will receive a grant.  

The ACE Board encourages submissions for projects that will help advance inclusion, diversity, equity or cultural competence in communications work or the professional development of our membership.

 Up to $3,000 total may be awarded to one or more projects. A budget is required as part of the application. Application Process   August 15, 2025 - Application opens   September 30, 2025 - Submissions close   November 1, 2025 - Applicants notified   May 31, 2026 – Projects end   June 2026 – Annual conference presentations

Note: Grant awards may be considered taxable income if paid directly to individuals. In such cases, the ACE office will require a W-9 form from the grantee before issuing the payment and will send the individual a 1099 form at year-end. Alternatively, grants may be made payable to the grantee’s institution, which will then be responsible for disbursing the funds.Professional Development Grants, funded by proceeds from the endowment in the ACE Development Fund, provide support for ACE members to pursue projects and training to upgrade their knowledge and skills. Grants can be used to explore new technologies or concepts, solve everyday problems, or work on team projects. The goal is to have the recipients share their knowledge and findings with the ACE membership.  

The Development Fund Committee will review grant applications that draw on the fund, and then recommend recipients for grants to the board. The committee will be responsible (with input from the board) for establishing the rules and policies for disbursing funds (including materials required for the application process, deadlines, and reporting), as well as eligibility requirements for applicants. 

Recipients of Professional Development Grants are encouraged to present their findings at the ACE annual conference the summer following the grant award.

Individual applicants and the team leader on group projects must meet the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an ACE member in good standing for a minimum of three years, with all current dues paid.

Project Requirements

• Project must be completed within one year of receiving the grant.

Application Requirements

• A written report detailing activities that align with ACE’s mission and objectives.
• A professional biography.
• A letter of support from the applicant’s administrator.

Recipient Commitments

• Recipients should be prepared to share insights, outcomes, and impacts of the project either at the annual ACE conference or through a webinar.

Grants are competitive and meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee the applicant will receive a grant. The ACE Board encourages submissions for projects that will help advance inclusion, diversity, equity or cultural competence in communications work or the professional development of our membership.

Preference will be given to proposals with broad application, so that a wide array of members can benefit from the professional development experience.

Up to $3,000 total may be awarded to one or more projects. A budget is required as part of the application.

Submit an application for a Professional Development Grant 

September, 2026 – Application Open

October 18, 2026 – Applications Due

November, 2026 – Applicants notified

May 31, 2027 – Projects end

June 2027 – Annual conference presentations

If you have any questions about the process, please contact the ACE office at aceoutreach@gmail.com

Note: Grant awards may be considered taxable income if paid directly to individuals. In such cases, the ACE office will require a W-9 form from the grantee before issuing the payment and will send the individual a 1099 form at year-end. Alternatively, grants may be made payable to the grantee’s institution, which will then be responsible for disbursing the funds.