After two consecutive rounds in which its projects received funding, the university is once again participating with new initiatives for 2026.
This global program invites young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to imagine what a peaceful world would look like and to reflect on what knowledge and skills they can contribute to building it.
With nearly 20 years of experience, Projects for Peace offers $10,000 in funding to students who develop innovative, community-centered projects aimed at solving urgent social issues.
ORT's Participation in Projects for Peace
In 2025, two projects submitted by ORT students and graduates were selected from among the 125 student leaders who received funding.
These achievements not only earned academic and financial recognition, but also demonstrated ORT University’s commitment to an education that fosters innovation and promotes social change.
Another Shore: Starting from Scratch
Agostina Colla, a graduate of the Bachelor's program in International Studies, presented a visual novel in video game format titled "Another Shore: Starting from Scratch" to the committee.
The project aims to shed light, from a fun and educational perspective, on the integration challenges faced by migrant adolescents.
- You might be interested in: Universidad ORT Uruguay graduate Universidad ORT Uruguay 2025 Projects for Peace scholarship for an inclusion project
Bioremediation of sweet whey using microalgae
Inspired by her thesis, Agustina Lima, an engineer, and Ignacio Rodríguez, an engineer, developed a project that aims to repurpose whey using microalgae to produce a probiotic supplement designed to improve livestock health.
Thanks to the funding, the teams were able to expand their research, purchase new supplies, conduct field tests, and develop educational materials.
- You might be interested in: Two biotechnology students were selected for the Projects for Peace 2025 program
How to Participate in 2026
The first step to joining Projects for Peace is to contact a teacher or mentor who can assist with the project proposal.
The proposal should be 2 to 3 pages long and include a description, a work plan, and a budget.
Submissions in Spanish are accepted.
Characteristics of a Successful Project
The selected projects stand out for their ability to link peace with concrete and sustainable actions within a community.
Some of the criteria evaluated by the program include:
- They clearly explain what peace means and how the project contributes to achieving it.
- They produce tangible results in the community, beyond the academic sphere.
- They engage local partners and make use of existing resources.
- They demonstrate knowledge, creativity, and responsibility in their proposal.
Important dates:
- December 18, 2025: Deadline for submitting the proposal
- December 26, 2025: Completion of the evaluation process.
- February 4, 2026: Selected candidates must apply via the Middlebury platform (in English).
Future dates:
- March 4, 2026: Announcement of preliminary results (selected applicants must arrange for funding agreements and provide additional information).
- April 1, 2026: Announcement of the final results.
Learn more
For questions about the program or the application process, please contact Sara Goldberg (goldberg@ort.edu.uy)