Whereas, the GPSA created the Special Grants Committee by passing Resolution 9: Special Committee for the Disbursement of Special Grant Funding in FY2024, whose charge was to solicit, review, and recommend funding for grants aimed towards advancing graduate and professional student interests at Cornell University.
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee solicited 58 grant submissions from relevant stakeholders that serve graduate and professional students, such as University departments, offices, graduate and professional student organizations, byline-funded organizations and community groups.
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee, through the collective efforts of its members, scored and reviewed all 58 received grants using the following criteria:
- Plan: How detailed is the timeline for implementing the proposed event(s)? Are the event(s) well-reasoned and supported by grant materials?
- Accountability: Does the grant clearly state who is responsible for implementing the proposed event(s)? Did the sponsor detail steps for grant supervision and implementation?
- Impact: Will the proposed event(s) meaningfully impact the well-being of graduate and professional students throughout Cornell?
- Need: Does the grant highlight a need, lack of support or otherwise unaddressed issues for graduate and professional students? And will the proposed event(s) address this need?
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee, through the majority agreement of its members, curated a list of reviewed grants which, when funded partially or in-full, would best improve graduate and professional student well-being at Cornell.
Whereas, grants from organizations such as the Graduate Arab League (GAL; grant #54) would help address the critical issues facing Arab graduate students at Cornell, including deep grief, fear, and isolation while navigating a uniquely difficult academic climate through the creation of a culturally grounded, non-activist, psychologically safe space for joy, community, and belonging.
Whereas, grants from organizations such as JUGATAE (grant #28) would establish an inclusive outdoor space for graduate and professional students to participate in academic collaboration, social connection, and community-building through the purchase and installation of picnic tables in the Biology Quad with the support of the Cornell Grounds Department.
Whereas, grants from organizations such as the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS; grant #47) would directly uplift graduate and professional students by creating spaces where they can find community, develop as scientists, and build professional networks both within and beyond Cornell through the hosting of professional workshops and monthly wellness socials.
Whereas, all other grant funding recommendations under the Community Building category from the Special Grants Committee provide opportunities to establish, maintain, and grow a sense of community and would improve the well-being of graduate and professional students across Cornell.
Whereas, the Special Grants Committee completed its charge on January 26th 2026 by presenting a final recommendation of reviewed grants to fund, either partially or in-full, to the GPSA.
Be it therefore resolved, the GPSA Appropriations Committee earmark $75,431.96 from the GPSAFC reserve account for the purpose of supporting grants #4, #12, #13, #19, #25, #27, #28, #34, #39, #44, #47, #49, #54, and #58.
Be it further resolved, that the GPSA Appropriations Committee distribute $75,431.96 across fourteen organizations under the Community Building category as specified in the Special Grants Committee funding recommendations as follows:
- $15,000.00 dollars be distributed to the Graduate Arab League (GAL), grant #54, for the purpose of “Fund proposed cultural programming and community events, May 2026 – May2027 continuity programming, alumni engagement and childcare and accessibility” under the conditions:
- Do not fund grants, research, speaker honoraria for alumni engagement event or other costs
- $11,500.00 dollars be distributed to JUGATAE, grant #28, for the purpose of “Fund the installation of eight picnic tables plus umbrellas, landscaping and labor in the Biology Quad to ensure accessibility”
- $9,940.00 dollars be distributed to Cornell Team and Leadership Center (CTLC), grant #4, for the purpose of “Fund all 16 proposed community building events and outdoor experiences”
- $6,712.00 dollars be distributed to the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), grant #47, for the purpose of “Fund six professional workshops and monthly wellness activities / socials”
- $6,300.00 dollars be distributed to the Africana Graduate Student Association (AGSA) and English Graduate Student Organization (EGSO), grant #44, for the purpose of “Fund food for proposed speaker series/workshops, food for monthly coworking sessions and refreshments/audio equipment for open mic events” under the conditions:
- Do not fund speaker travel, lodging or honorarium
- $5,393.00 dollars be distributed to Chavurah, grant #25, for the purpose of “Fund the Freedom Seder”
- $5,000.00 dollars be distributed to Sociology Graduate Student Association (SGSA), grant #13, for the purpose of “Fund paint & sip night and winter formal”
- $5,000.00 dollars be distributed to the Black Graduate & Professional Student Association (BGPSA), grant #58, for the purpose of “Fund venue rental fees and $4.5k worth of food”
- $3,010.00 dollars be distributed to the Student National Association of Black Veterinarians (sNABV), grant #34, for the purpose of “Fund the permanent installation of `Walking the Legacy: Celebrating CVM's Black Alumni` and Cornell CVM Alumni-Faculty-Student Mixer in April 2026” under the conditions:
- Do not fund externships, conference support, NAVLE preparatory resources, Mailchimp subscription, or alumni dinner at Taverna Banfi
- $2,000.00 dollars be distributed to the Graduate Students in Public Health (GraPH), grant #27, for the purpose of “Fund professional events ($1,000) and emotional and mental health support events” under the conditions:
- Do not fund $2,200 honorarium for professional event
- $2,000.00 dollars be distributed to the School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS), grant #39, for the purpose of “Fund beginning and end of year picnic for students in SIPS”
- $2,000.00 dollars be distributed to the Iranian Graduate Students Organization (IGS), grant #19, for the purpose of “Fund food ($2k) for Nowruz celebration”
- $1,076.96 dollars be distributed to the Food Science Community Outreach Committee (COC), grant #49, for the purpose of “Fund proposed events during the 2026-2027 academic year”
- $500.00 dollars be distributed to the Chemists for Outreach and Graduate Inclusion (COrGI), grant #12, for the purpose of “Fund upkeep of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology's mental health room through Fall 2026”
Be it further resolved that all grants funded herein must additionally comply with the following conditions:
- All promotional / advertisement / event materials, printed and digital, must bear the “Supported by GPSA” seal visibly.
- For each year of funding offered, a budget for planned activities must be submitted for review and approval by the GPSA Appropriations Committee in advance of disbursement.
- For each year of funding offered, an Impact and Visibility Report must be compiled and submitted to the GPSA Appropriations Committee detailing the use of Special Grant funding, the benefits conferred to the graduate student community (including photo documentation of the event / renovation / installation), and (if applicable) the feasibility of event implementation in future years under funding continuation. Reports must also contain all relevant receipts, detailed attendance at event(s) and any additional information requested by the GPSA Appropriations Committee. It is required that this report be submitted by the deadline set by the Appropriations Committee before any subsequent year(s) of funding may be offered. Designation of requirements for Impact and Visibility Reports and Report approval is charged to the GPSA Appropriations Committee.
Be it finally resolved, that funding is contingent on each grant applicant following the specified purpose and conditions laid out in this resolution as well as annual submission of the Impact and Visibility Report.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anurag Koyyada
Finance Commission Chairperson
Jason Chobirko
Faculty Advising, Teaching, and Mentorship Awards Committee Chair
