Established in 1992 through a gift from the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentian Endowment Fund was designed to enhance the Catholic, Vincentian mission of DePaul University. The Division of Mission and Ministry annually provides students, staff and faculty the opportunity to apply for grant dollars awarded through VEF. In the past, VEF Grants have supported such projects as faculty research, hosting conferences or events on campus, and social justice and community service initiatives in Chicago. Principal VEF Grants are typically in the range of $1,500-$5,000, but in some rare instances multi-year grants have been awarded for up to $10,000.As part of longer-term planning and in response to our current challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Division of Mission and Ministry has chosen to make a handful of adjustments to the VEF Grant Processes this year. Most notably, the application timeline for Principal VEF Grants has moved from Fall Quarter to Winter Quarter and new Principal Grants will not be available to use until July 2021.
For this year, the Principal VEF Grant Application process will use the following timeline:
- December 2020 – Launch Principal VEF Grant Application
- Feb. 15, 2021 – Principal VEF Grant Applications Due
- By March 31, 2021 – Decisions will be communicated to applicants
- July 1, 2021 – Grants will be created and available for use
More details about Principal VEF Grants can be found on the Mission and Ministry website. In December and January, Mission and Ministry will host a handful of information sessions for prospective applicants to come ask questions and learn more about the application process. Those information sessions will be promoted later in Fall Quarter.
In addition to the Principal VEF Grants, members of the DePaul Community can apply for Discretionary VEF Grants. The application process for Discretionary VEF Grants is open now and is available through May 15, 2021 or until funding expires. All Discretionary VEF Grants must be completed by June 30, 2021 -- the end of the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year. More information about the Discretionary VEF Grant Application process can be found on the Mission and Ministry website.
Questions about the Vincentian Endowment Fund or the application processes can be directed to Michael Van Dorpe.