The Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) are pleased to invite and support a diverse cohort of higher education institutions as they build or expand campus programs focused on civil discourse and deliberative learning.
The Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), a new national initiative dedicated to strengthening civil discourse and deliberative learning across higher education. Led by the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative and housed within the D.G. and Harriet Wall Martin Institute for Public Good at Davidson College. Beginning in 2026 and over the next four years, the DCN will become a national network of civil discourse programs at 100 colleges and universities across the United States.
They welcome applications from institutions of all types and starting points, whether launching new efforts or building on existing work. Please find the full invitation attached, which outlines the program, expectations, and timeline.
Participating institutions will receive training, resources, and first-year funding to support faculty development, student leadership, and public-facing dialogue initiatives, while joining a national community of peers working to strengthen these efforts across higher education. The network is supported by a grant from a nearly $4 million grant (P116J251451) from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE). One hundred percent of project activities are funded by the FIPSE grant for the duration of the award period.
This grant positions the Martin Institute as a central hub for research, teaching, and public engagement around ideological pluralism, free expression, and deliberation. The Martin Institute and Deliberative Citizenship Initiative invite institutions of higher education across the country to apply to join the DCN and participate in this important work together.
Applications due Tomorrow, April 15, 2026!
If you have any questions about the application process may also be directed to dci@davidson.edu.