Section Grant Program

The Section Grant Program application will open in September. If you have questions about the Section Grant Program, please contact us at sections@aacei.org.

The purpose of the Section Grant Program is to provide meaningful support and grow local member engagement through AACE Sections. The Section Grant Program is available for AACE Traditional (incorporated) Sections.

Traditional Sections are independently incorporated as non-profit corporations and have a formal affiliation agreement with AACE. If you have questions about these documents or procedures, please contact us.

The grant funding request shall not exceed $20 per section member (as of September 1 of the application year). Sections are encouraged to develop annual business plans that incorporate revenue streams independent of grant funding. 

 

Reporting Requirements

Grant expenditures for 2025 will be reported using the form link above. Sections are encouraged to report expenditures as they occur. Each form submission can report one or more expenditures at a time. Per policy, sections must report expenditures at least quarterly. A section may request a current grant status report from headquarters at any time using the second form link above. After a request is made by the section, headquarters will send a report listing all expenditures previously reported to date and the current balance left to be spent. There is no longer a cumulative report via spreadsheet requirement. Each expenditure will be reported only once and headquarters will compile the data throughout the year for each section.

Section Grant Award Expenditures and Reporting Guidance

 

Procedures

All grants must be directly aligned with AACE’s strategic plan and our tax-exempt purpose: to promote through education and scientific means the science of cost engineering for the public.

Grant amounts applied for must be spent within the upcoming calendar year. Grants that are based on multi-year initiatives should be applied for in one-year increments.

Eligibility

  • Traditional (incorporated) sections in good standing
  • Bank account in the section’s name
  • Compliance with prior grant reporting requirements
  • Required government filings maintained

 

Application Process

The online application opens in September each year and will remain open for approximately 6-8 weeks. Headquarters will notify Traditional sections when the grant program opens and closes each year. Notifications of grant awards will be sent by December 31. Funds will be distributed in January. Requirements will include:

  • Narrative: In a maximum of 1,000 words describe why the section is applying for the grant(s). Items to address should include:
    • Demonstrated need
    • The goal section leadership hopes to achieve
    • How the grant will benefit members, industry, and the section
    • Alignment with the AACE strategic plan
    • Most recent financial statements

     

Review Process

The structured review process will consist of a diverse group of reviewers to ensure objectivity and fairness. The review panel shall include representatives from AACE Headquarters, the Board of Directors, and the Membership Advisory Committee. The application process is confidential. The review panel will score and comment on the merit of the proposals and will use those scores to recommend funding amounts to the AACE Board of Directors. Grant requests may be funded in whole or in part.  

 

Distribution

Funds will be distributed by February. The section president will be asked to sign an agreement outlining the section’s obligations. The section must report all grant expenditures if a grant is awarded. Proper recordkeeping must be maintained of all grant expenditures separately from the general operations of the section. If requested by AACE Headquarters, the Board of Directors, or other outside regulatory authorities or financial auditors, records must be presented by the section for audit or review. Sections not complying with requirements and policies outlined in the grant agreement may be excluded from future grant funding.

Membership