Application Deadline: June 1, 2025 

The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College is pleased to announce that applications are now open for its 2025-2026 Rooted + Relational Community Microgrants Program. CENTRO will award up to 12 grants of up to $5,000 each, to non-institutionally affiliated community organizations, individuals, or projects focused on community-based initiatives.

Theme: “Boricuas in Relation”

The 2025-2026 theme, Boricuas in Relation, invites community organizations to explore the formation of Boricua archipelagic and diasporic communities in connection with other racial and ethnic groups. Throughout history, Boricuas have developed and sustained political, social, kinship, creative, labor, and spiritual practices alongside diverse communities across the United States and beyond. 

We seek to fund projects that examine the experiences and impact of migration, language, assimilation, cultural and linguistic resilience, and the connections between Puerto Ricans and other racial and ethnic groups. Applicants are encouraged to consider Boricua connections with Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinx, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, and/or other communities. 

The theme of Boricuas in Relation centers the lived experiences and histories of Puerto Ricans in both the archipelago and the diaspora, building on existing important community activism and critical scholarship while forging new directions within and beyond Puerto Rican Studies. Ultimately,  this theme asks: what can we learn from the complex and overlapping relationships that Puerto Ricans have across global geographies and within specific cities, sites, and communities? What responsibilities do we have to one another as we strive for political and cultural decolonization, self-determination and liberation, and anti-racism in our communities? 

Who can apply?
Community Micro-Grant recipients will be non-academic, non-institutionally affiliated individuals or groups, including:

• Community organizers
• Artists, creatives, and writers
• Agricultural workers
• Activists and organizers
• Cultural workers

Applicants must reside in Puerto Rico or the United States and its territories and collaborate on projects that engage participants who identify as Puerto Rican or are of Puerto Rican descent, or work on a community project related to Puerto Rican histories, legacies, or futures.

Project Period 
During the 2025-2026 academic year (September 2025 – August 2026), grantees will implement their funded projects within their chosen communities. Additionally, they will be invited to:

• Present their work at a CENTRO event (format to be announced).
• Attend three virtual meetings.
• Have their work highlighted through CENTRO’s communications and media channels.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants must be community-based individuals, groups, or organizations engaged in artistic, community-driven, agricultural, activist, or cultural projects 
• Applicants must not be affiliated with a college or university (professors, graduate students, and academic staff are not eligible).
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Submission Guidelines
To apply, complete the application form at: https://centropr.submittable.com/submit/324462/2025-2026-rooted-relational-community-micro-grant-program/collectOrganization

• Required Identifying Information
• Program/initiative/event title
• Project description (1 paragraph)
• Objectives (bullet points)
• Biographical or organizational sketch (150 words)
• Timeline (implementation plan)
• Budget (total project cost and requested grant amount, up to $5,000)
• Optional: A PDF or hyperlink showcasing past works (photos, media, press, reviews, or portfolio).
• Proposals may be submitted in English or Spanish.

Application Submission Checklist
✔ Complete the application form, ensuring all mandatory fields have been filled out

✔ Review and confirm submission.

✔ Receive confirmation of receipt upon submission.

Contact Information
For questions or assistance with the application process, please contact: Rosa Cruz, Partnerships and Outreach Manager, at centrofl@hunter.cuny.edu. Deadline for inquiries: April 25, 2025.

About Rooted + Relational: 
Rooted + Relational is a five-year research initiative at the Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO), funded by the Mellon Foundation. It aims to transform CENTRO into a public-facing, decolonial feminist institute that fosters community-driven research beyond academia. By integrating CENTRO’s research, data projects, media, arts, scholarly mentoring, and community partnerships, the initiative addresses key social, political, and economic issues affecting Puerto Rico and its diaspora. Its ultimate goal is to create a unified, inclusive learning community that serves the intellectual and cultural needs of a diverse public.

About CENTRO: 
The Center for Puerto Rican Studies (CENTRO) at Hunter College, founded in 1973 by students, faculty, and activists, is the largest and oldest university-based institute dedicated to the Puerto Rican experience in the U.S. It supports scholars, artists, and the broader community while producing research, films, books, and educational tools. CENTRO publishes Centro Journal, the leading academic journal on Puerto Rican studies, and provides access to historical and cultural resources through its Library and Archives, which are open to the public regardless of CUNY affiliation. As a hub for research and community engagement, CENTRO fosters collaboration between academia and the Puerto Rican diaspora, making scholarship accessible and actionable to strengthen and expand Puerto Rican studies.

About Hunter College: 
Hunter College, founded in 1870, is the largest college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system and one of the oldest public colleges in the U.S. Located in Manhattan, it serves over 23,000 students, many of whom are first-generation college students who go on to top graduate programs and earn prestigious awards. Offering 170+ areas of study, Hunter is known for its renowned faculty and significant contributions to academia, research, and public policy.