AEE Announces the Dr. Nina Roberts Social Justice Micro-Grants
AEE Announces the Dr. Nina Roberts Social Justice Micro-Grants to Foster Inclusion in Outdoor Education
ST PETERSBURG, FL — The Association for Experiential Education (AEE) is proud to announce the opening of the application period for the Dr. Nina Roberts Social Justice Micro-Grants. Designed to honor the enduring legacy of the late Dr. Nina Roberts—a "force of nature" and fierce advocate for equity—the grants provide financial support to AEE members leading social justice initiatives in their communities.
The application window opens February 18, 2026, and will remain open until May 19, 2026.
Breaking Barriers in the Outdoors
"When we break down barriers, we open up new possibilities and find different answers to our challenges. We may even learn new leadership skills, engage people with unique perspectives, rise to a new level of empathy, and create solutions that nobody else ever thought were possible." - Dr. Nina Roberts, AEE Ewald Hahn Address, 2007
Supporting the continuation of Nina’s work can come in many forms, and financial support is often a critical need for individuals and organizations doing this important work. The micro-grants are funded by a dedicated endowment, with awards currently capped at:
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$100 for individuals
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$300 for organizations
"Nina’s life and work illuminated pathways for equity, inclusion, and belonging in the outdoors and beyond," AEE Executive Director, Sherry Bagley stated. "Even as her energy waned, she asked that her social justice torch be carried forward. These grants are a direct response to that call and we are very proud to offer these micro-grants to our community in Nina’s name."
Application & Eligibility Details
The program is open to all current AEE members. In an effort to remain accessible and inclusive, AEE accepts applications in written, audio, or video formats.
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Eligibility: Projects must focus on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) within fields using outdoor and experiential methods.
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Timeline: Funds must be utilized within one year of the award.
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Impact: Recipients are asked to share their results through a short story, reflection, or video to be featured across AEE’s global community channels.
Interested applicants can access the official application here: Dr. Nina Roberts Micro-Grants Application
How to Support the Legacy
The community can further support the micro-grants fund through several avenues:
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Purchase the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Field Guide: A collection of lived experiences regarding systemic change, envisioned by Dr. Roberts herself.
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Apparel Campaign: Purchase a t-shirt or sweatshirt from the official AEE online Campaign.
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Direct Donations: Contributions can be made directly to the fund via the AEE website. Make a Donation Here (please indicate that your donation should be tied to the Dr. Nina Roberts Micro-Grants fund)
About the Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
AEE is a nonprofit, professional membership organization dedicated to connecting a global community of educators and practitioners. By expanding the reach of experiential education, AEE seeks to transform how the world learns and leads.