We Give Blood Grants
After earning the inaugural We Give Blood Drive competition award from Abbott and the Big Ten, the Division of Student Life at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is putting its $1 million prize to work improving the health and well-being of Huskers and the greater Nebraska community.
The funds are being distributed through four initiatives that support students, faculty, and staff in creating lasting, positive impact:
- Healthy Nebraska Grants
- UNL Student Health & Well-being Grants
- Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Awards
- Well-being Collective
Together, these awards are creating new opportunities for well-being, connecting more students to support, and inspiring positive change on campus and in our communities.
Grants & Awards
$200,000 in review
Healthy Nebraska Grants
Designed to improve health outcomes for students and the broader Nebraska community, the Healthy Nebraska Grants invite proposals from UNL faculty and staff whose research or programming addresses pressing health and well-being needs.
Letters of intent were due May 16, 2025, and full proposals were due September 15, 2025. Proposals are now under review, and selected projects will be announced later this semester. Each award will fund efforts that advance public health, promote prevention, and strengthen the overall well-being of Nebraskans.
$150,000 in review
UNL Student Health & Well-being Grants
Also open to UNL faculty and staff, these grants focus on initiatives that enhance the health and well-being of UNL students through innovative and evidence-based approaches. Letters of intent were due May 16, 2025, and full proposals were due September 15, 2025.
Applications are currently being evaluated, with award recipients expected to be announced in late 2025. Funded projects will aim to elevate the student experience through improved wellness education, engagement, and access to care.
$154,780 Awarded
Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Awards
Recognized Student Organizations were invited to submit proposals for projects that support emotional, physical, or social well-being among students and in the community. Applications opened in fall 2025, with preferred submissions due September 1 and final review proposals due October 6.
A total of 44 Recognized Student Organizations were awarded funding through the We Give Blood RSO Awards to advance well-being across campus and the broader community. Their projects highlight how student leadership, service, and innovation continue to shape the Husker experience.
See RSO Award Winners
Well-being Collective
The Well-being Collective is a cross-campus initiative led by Campus Recreation within the Division of Student Life. The group includes representatives from Dining Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, Student Advocacy & Support, the Center for Advocacy, Response & Education, University Housing, and other student-focused units. Its purpose is to strengthen coordination of campus resources and programs that support student well-being across eight dimensions: emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual.
Following the University’s $1 million award from Abbott, $450,000 has been dedicated to advancing the work of the Well-being Collective. The funding will help expand health and wellness programs that remove barriers, promote balance, and support student success. Specifically, the funds will be used to support three key initiatives focused on financial wellness, access, and student-led well-being programs.
Well-being Coordinator
A new full-time coordinator will lead the Well-being Collective’s wellness efforts and guide students toward proactive financial planning. The position will provide financial literacy education, train peer ambassadors, and connect students with tools to manage the costs of college life, including tuition, textbooks, food, and housing.
Abbott Access Fund
The Abbott Access Fund provides short-term financial assistance to help students overcome small expenses that may impact their ability to fully participate in campus life. Examples include transportation costs, student organization dues, intramural team fees, or limited dining dollars. Applications for the fund are expected to open soon. Awards will be paid directly to service providers to preserve financial aid eligibility.
Student-led Wellness Programs
A portion of the funding will support student-led programs and events that promote physical, social, and emotional well-being. These initiatives give students the chance to identify needs, create solutions, and strengthen the culture of well-being on campus.
For more information about the Well-being Collective, how to apply for the Abbott Access Fund, and the university’s ongoing investments in student health and success, please visit the Well-being Collective website.
Continuing The Impact
The We Give Blood Grants represent a shared commitment between Abbott, the Big Ten, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to strengthen well-being across campus and throughout the state of Nebraska.
As additional projects are selected and awards are implemented, this page will continue to be updated.
Questions?
Contact Jordan Foreman-Black at studentlife@unl.edu or (402) 472-3755.