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Urgent Challenges Grants

PLOUGHSHARES FUND INC

Foundation Annual Human Rights GrantsSocial Justice Grants
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

September 1, 2026

146 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Urgent Challenges Grants

Overview: This portfolio advances discrete near-term policy goals and allows for timely response to pressing developments.

Focus Areas:

  • Drive policies and activities that help eliminate nuclear threats or address regional conflicts

  • Address nuclear implications of Russian invasion of Ukraine - preventing the war from entrenching a narrative that nuclear weapons keep us safe

  • Reverse modernization trends - emphasis on cancellation/retiring of unnecessary and expensive weapons systems (e.g., B-83 bomb, proposed Sea-Launched-Cruise Missile)

  • Advance arms control and diplomacy - maintaining political space for future arms control efforts between the United States, Russia, and other nuclear states

  • Resolve related regional conflicts with nuclear intersections

  • Increase voices (civil society and political) that advance nuclear threat reduction mission

  • Diplomacy-first foreign policy emphasis

    • Funding Approach:

  • Supplements work funded under Core Support

  • Allows timely response to pressing developments

  • Supports both specific policy steps and regional focuses with nuclear intersections

    • Geographic Scope: International organizations eligible

    What Ploughshares Funds:

  • Organizations and people working to reduce nuclear threats

  • Direct and grassroots lobbying

  • Grants to individuals

  • International organizations

  • Advocacy and policy work

    • What Ploughshares Does NOT Fund:

  • Scholarships

  • Research and writing of dissertations or books

  • Overhead costs at academic institutions

  • Films, videos, and art projects (considered case-by-case)

    • Contact: Kaite Lower, klower@ploughshares.org

    How to Apply

    How to Apply

    1. Review Funding Priorities - Determine if your project fits into Ploughshares' areas of interest
    2. Submit Online Application - Use the online application portal during the open application period
    3. Complete DEIA Questions - Optional questions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (information kept confidential)
    4. Provide Project Details - Describe how your project addresses urgent near-term policy challenges

    Application Timeline

    Fall 2026 Grant Cycle:

  • Opening Date: July 27, 2026

  • Closing Date: September 1, 2026

  • Application link will be available on the Grants page on July 27

    • Discretionary Grants (Between Board Meetings)

    For urgent projects:
    1. Submit Inquiry - Send brief description and topline budget to program team
    2. Wait for Response - Staff will determine if full proposal is appropriate
    3. Award Amount: Up to $50,000 for urgent projects aligned with highest priority funding areas

    Additional Resources

    • Grantee Portal: Applicants may visit the Ploughshares grantee portal at any time to check proposal status or view current grants
    • Application FAQ: Available for download on the application page
    • Questions: Contact Kaite Lower at klower@ploughshares.org
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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    human-rightssocial-justice

    Categories

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