The deadline for the 2025–2026 Strategic Initiatives Development (SID) grants was November 15, 2025. By that date, the SID Committee received 10 strong proposals representing diverse geographic regions, disciplines, and methodological approaches. All submissions demonstrated meaningful potential to advance moral education research, practice, and global collaboration, making the selection process both rigorous and rewarding.
In recognition of the generosity of long-standing SID donors Ann Higgins-D’Alessandro and Thomas V. D’Alessandro, the Committee voted to name the awards in their honor. These awards recognize projects that exemplify excellence in moral education, bridge theory and practice, and expand collective impact.
Higgins-D’Alessandro Strategic Initiatives Award Recipients (2025):
1. Fostering Character in the Digital Age: Developing a Character Strengths Smartphone-Based Intervention for Spanish Undergraduates, submitted by a team from the University of Navarra (Spain) under the leadership of Professor Concepción Naval Durán (24 months).
This project has strong potential to foster moral growth in emerging adults through evidence-based character education, reflective engagement, and meaningful behavioral practice. The Committee particularly valued the project’s strong theoretical foundation, feasible design, attention to diversity, scalability across Spain and Latin America, and innovative integration of technology and moral development. All project materials will be translated into English to support broader dissemination.
2. Cultivating Virtues for Leadership through Coaching and Mentorship Speakers Series Submitted by Dr. Peter Kingori (Kenya) and Professor Vishalache Balakrishnan (Malaysia) (18 months).
This proposal advances character education by focusing on servant leadership, human flourishing, and mentoring-based professional development. The Committee highlighted its grounding in the CViL framework, its international collaboration, its emphasis on school principals as moral leaders, and its thoughtful integration of virtual mentoring and reflective practice.
The SID Committee congratulates both project teams and looks forward to sharing updates on their progress and contributions to the field of moral education.
The next SID grant submission deadline is April 1, 2026.