The mission of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, is to honor and develop leaders; encourage collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and alumni; and promote O∆K's leadership values of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service on college and university campuses throughout North America.
2026 Maurice A. Clay Leadership Development Initiative Grant Application
Description
Maurice A. Clay Leadership Development Initiative Grants are awarded to circles that seek funding to provide leadership and personal development opportunities on their campus through innovative, engaging, and collaborative programming. Every year, O∆K provides ten or more grants, averaging $500, to help develop leadership programs on these campuses.
Clay Grants are awarded in amounts up to $1,000. The National Awards Committee will review applications and use available funds to provide grants to as many circles as possible. When applying for a Clay Grant, consider the funds needed for your program. You may be more likely to receive $250 to fund the cost of a leadership workshop than $750 toward a $10,000 university event for which the circle is only a small sponsor.
In addition, two additional diversity, equity, and inclusion grants (up to $750 each) are dedicated to programs that support the leadership development of historically underrepresented and marginalized populations or seek to bring leaders together to address issues of racial and ethnic injustice in their campus community. To be considered for this funding, applicants must select “yes” to the question “Does this program qualify for consideration for a DEI grant?” and provide additional details.
The 2026 grants are for programs that occur between January 1, 2026, and November 30, 2026.
Selection Process
The committee considers the following when reviewing and scoring applications:
Quality of Program Brief
Focus on Leadership Development
Funding of New Programs
Collaboration with Campus and Community
Detailed Plan – Does the detailed description include these elements: planned activities, presenters/planners, partners, marketing efforts, location, and expected attendance?
Description of Funding
Description of Evaluation
General Quality of Submission
DEI Grant Requests – Did the submission clearly outline how the program will support leadership development of historically underrepresented and marginalized populations and/or seeks to bring leaders together to address issues of racial and ethnic injustice in their campus community?
Bonus Points are provided to circles that have not previously been supported by a Clay Grant, circles under five years old, or circles who are rebuilding/revitalizing.