The Anteater Grant Initiative

SUPPORT THE AGI

The Anteater Grant Initiative (AGI) is a signature effort of the Parent Executive Board dedicated to advancing student success at UC Irvine. Established in 2018, this grant helps sustain, enhance, and pilot programs that directly benefit students across campus. The grant’s success is celebrated annually in May with an awardee reveal, spotlighting the programs chosen for funding. Open to contributions from friends and advocates of student success, this fund offers a meaningful opportunity for the entire Anteater community to create a lasting impact on programs supporting students. 

Since its inception, the Anteater Grant Initiative has awarded over $325,000 to departments and programs across campus that directly support student success. At our most recent showcase in May 2026, we proudly announced $65,000 in funding to the following recipients:

2026 AGI Awardees

  • Veterans Services Center *2026 AGI Top Awardee*  – $17,000 Veterans Services Center Peer Mentorship program: This program will help launch a comprehensive Peer Mentorship Program serving UC Irvine’s nearly 1,000 military connected students beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. This initiative will pair incoming military connected students with trained upper-division student veteran mentors who provide culturally competent guidance throughout the critical first academic year. 
 
  • UC Irvine Campus Organizations and Volunteer Programs – $7,700 Growth in Food Security & Service: Through mutually beneficial campus and community collaborations, students explore social issues by engaging in direct service, reflection and critical dialogue. This mission is met through their signature office programs including MLK Jr. Day of Service and CRECE Urban Farms.
 
  • ANTrepreneur Center – $10,000 ANTbassadors: The ANTrepreneur Peer Ambassador Program: This program will fund 3 student ANTbassadors, who have experienced the center first hand, assisting with recruitment, outreach and understanding of the center and introducing students to all the ways they can utilize its resources.
 
  • Division of Career Pathways $15,000 – Anteaters Go to Work- workplace visit program: The Peer Educator Program provides career advising through individual drop-in meetings, workshops, and outreach to support Anteaters with their career goals.
 
  • Sustainability Resource Center – $5,000 Sustainable Service Opportunities: These funds will be used to support the transportation of students to quarterly service opportunities in partnership with areas like the Newport Bay Conservancy, Amigos De Bolsa Chica, Project Grow, Coastal Corridor Alliance and more-  Increasing both access and participation for students.
 
  • Basic Needs Center – $10,000 Basic Needs Emergency Resources: This program supplies students with short-term grocery card and transportation support. These resources address students immediate needs for essential necessities and help them manage rising costs on limited student budgets.

2026 AGI Showcase Highlight Reel

Check out the 2024-2025 AGI Impact Report Below

Funding Criteria

The funding request of an organization seeking support must reside under at least one of six categories representing the needs and interests of undergraduate students:

Academic Support

Community Outreach

Division of Undergraduate Education

Leadership Initiatives

Student Health & Wellness

Student Support

Application Process

Complete an online application with the funding amount requested, project overview, impact on students and fund information. This is part 1 of the submission process. For your application to be considered, you also need to complete step 2.

Create a short video proposal (no longer than 5 minutes) as a visual testimonial which should showcase the value of your proposal. The video may be recorded through Zoom or other video recording equipment that is readily available to you and the program or project that you are representing.

Your video must include a brief overview of your program, a written or spoken statement covering your business plan, the amount requested, and the timeline of your program or project. You may also include potential student impact, and any other compelling details you believe the board should see or hear. (This could be showing a physical space that would be transformed, a student interview, or statistics you believe shows the greatest need). These are just a few examples, and we encourage your creativity!

Both the online application and required short video submission deadline will be Friday, March 6, 2026. Please email your submission to parentengagement@uci.edu.

A status update of your submission will be sent Friday, March 27, 2026. If selected, awardees will be invited to an AGI awardee reveal event happening Friday, May 29, 2026. Parent Engagement staff will follow up via email outlining the next steps in detail. Organizations are competing with others for Anteater Grant Initiative funding and are not guaranteed selection.

*The Board can elect to fund a portion or all the requested amount. Those selected to receive funding will be notified Friday, April 3, 2026.

We look forward to your submissions and wish you the best of luck!

Important dates:

  • Submission opens – February 2, 2026
  • Submission deadline (written and video) – March 6, 2026
  • Status update – March 27, 2026
  • Awardees notified – April 3, 2026
  • AGI Awardee Reveal Event – May 29, 2026

Past AGI Recipients: