Iowa 4-H Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Iowa 4-H Foundation

Here’s a clearer, teacher-friendly version of the information — organized so you can quickly see who can apply, what’s required, and when decisions happen.

Scholarships (for Iowa 4‑H youth)

• Who can apply: Any eligible Iowa 4‑H member who meets individual scholarship criteria.
• Enrollment requirement: Recipients must be enrolled full‑time (minimum 12 credit hours) to receive an award.
• Application process: One application form covers ALL Iowa 4‑H scholarships.
• Limits: You may apply for more than one scholarship, but an individual may receive only ONE Iowa 4‑H scholarship per academic year.
• Important dates: Applications open December 1, 2025, and close February 1, 2026.

Grant cycles and awards (Iowa 4‑H Foundation funding for programs/projects)

• The Foundation reviews and awards grants twice a year: Spring and Fall.

Spring cycle

• Due date: March 15.
• Use this cycle for programs and projects that will take place in the upcoming fiscal year (on or after July 1).
• Review and decision process: Applications are reviewed by the Foundation Program Committee; funding recommendations are made at the June Foundation meeting.
• Timing: Expect award notifications by mid‑May and funds to be received by the State 4‑H Office by June 1.

Fall cycle

• Due date: October 1.
• Use this cycle for projects taking place in the current fiscal year (before June 30).
• Review and decision process: Reviewed by the Program Committee with funding recommendations made at the October Foundation meeting.
• Timing: Award notifications by November 15; funds received by the State 4‑H Office by December 31.

Who is eligible to submit grants

• All 4‑H staff may submit grant requests.
• County 4‑H staff must have applications approved by the Youth Program Specialist serving their county.
• State and Field staff must have requests approved by their supervisor.
• Types of requests: State, regional, or county programming; ongoing needs; event or camp support.
• Note: Local projects are also encouraged to pursue support from local county endowments.

What each grant submission must include

• A completed application form.
• A project budget that lists total program costs and specifies how much funding you are requesting from the Foundation.
• If the proposal received Foundation funding previously, include the completed grant report form with the application.

Funding priorities

• The Foundation gives priority to proposals that:
  1. grow organizational or program capacity,
  2. support retention and enrollment, and
  3. reach new audiences.
• If funds are limited, projects that best meet these priorities receive preference.

Reporting requirements

• All funded applications must complete a Grant Evaluation Form.
• Evaluation timing: Due one year from the grant award. Spring cycle awardees submit their evaluation by the next spring cycle deadline; Fall awardees submit by the next fall cycle deadline.
• Renewal rule: Renewal applications will not be considered unless the previous grant evaluation has been submitted.

Quick applicant checklist

• For scholarship applicants: one application covers all scholarships; enroll full‑time (12+ credits); apply between Dec 1, 2025 and Feb 1, 2026.
• For grant applicants: confirm approval from the appropriate supervisor; include application + detailed budget; attach previous grant report if applicable; be prepared to submit a Grant Evaluation Form one year after award.

If you want, I can condense these dates and steps into a one‑page checklist or calendar you can print and post for your office.