Aspirations Incubator Request for Proposals
The Rural Youth Institute is pleased to announce the release of two Aspirations Incubator Request for Proposals.
Planning Grant RFP– The Aspirations Incubator planning grant is designed to help communities assess their readiness to adopt an Aspirations Incubator long-term youth development and mentoring model that partners with local middle and high schools. Through this process grantees will form a planning team, conduct a community needs assessment, ensure organizational capacity and develop an Aspirations Incubator conceptual design. The total available funding for planning grants is $10,000.
Implementation Grant RFP– The Aspirations Incubator Implementation Grant is designed to provide financial support to new organizations committed to implementing a multi-year Aspirations Incubator model. This grant will help organizations establish the program and ensure its successful launch. The total available funding for implementation grants is $20,000.
The Aspirations Incubator is a transformative, evidence-based mentoring model designed to elevate aspirations and foster a strong sense of belonging among rural middle and high school students. Developed over six years in five rural Maine communities, this place-based model thrives through deep school–community partnerships and innovative mentoring practices. By engaging youth where they naturally are, at school and in the community, the Aspirations Incubator creates authentic, lasting connections that empower the next generation. Learn more at www.aspirationsincubator.org.
Both grant processes will follow the timeline below:
RFP Release Date: September 30, 2025
Aspirations Incubator RFP Virtual Information Session: October 13, 2026, 10-11AM (registration form below)
Proposal Submission Deadline: November 9, 2026
Decision Announcement: Week of January 3, 2027
Grant Disbursement: Week of January 14, 2027
All questions can be directed to Meg Taft at meg@ruralyouthinstitute.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
