The initiative, dubbed the Luce/ACLS Civic Education for Democratic Life Program, aims to move civic learning beyond the classroom. By supporting community-engaged projects—ranging from town halls and libraries to community gardens—the program seeks to foster real-world preparation for democratic life. The goal is to create spaces where students, faculty, and local residents can collaborate on projects that strengthen local civic health.
ACLS Launches $1 Million Initiative to Revive Civic Engagement
With political polarization fracturing communities and public skepticism toward higher education on the rise, the American Council of Learned Societies is stepping in to bridge the divide. A new $1 million grant from the Henry Luce Foundation will fund a program designed to turn local campuses into hubs for democratic participation.
ACLS President Joy Connolly noted that the program intends to highlight replicable models for inclusive education that encourage open dialogue. Beyond financial support, grant recipients will engage in peer-exchange workshops and curriculum development to refine their community outreach. The organization plans to open the application process to qualified programs later this year, with the first round of competitive grants scheduled to be awarded in 2027.
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