2026 Hill Day Grant Program

ACA's Hill Day Grant Program is designed to support counselors and counseling students' participation in federal advocacy by providing financial assistance to attend a two-day Hill Day event in Washington, D.C- Apply Now!

A portion of the grant funding was generously provided by ACA partner, HPSO.

Grant Description

Grant Amount: Up to $1,250 
Grant Application Window: June 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026 

Selected recipients may receive up to $1,250 in grant funds. This grant is intended for: 

  • Travel to Hill Day (including airfare) 

  • Hotel accommodation for designated event dates (must be used at the conference hotel, the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, through our room block)

  • Registration fee  

  • Meals not provided during the Hill Day event  

Grant funds may be distributed electronically. Awardees may receive additional instructions and required tax documentation forms prior to payment disbursement. 

A portion of the Hill Day grant funding has been specifically reserved for counseling students. All student applicants will automatically be considered for this funding upon submission of their application. 

Hill Day Activities 

Day 1 — Advocacy Training 

Participants will receive: 

  • Federal policy and legislative issue briefings.  

  • Advocacy and storytelling training,  

  • Congressional meeting preparation, and  

  • Networking opportunities with counseling leaders.  

Day 2 — Congressional Hill Day 

Participants will: 

  • Attend scheduled meetings with members of Congress and/or their staff, 

  • Advocate for ACA legislative priorities,  

  • Share professional and client-centered perspectives, and  

  • Participate in coordinated advocacy activities. 

 

Eligibility Criteria 

Applicants must: 

1. Be a current ACA member in good standing. 

2. Be professionally affiliated with the counseling profession, including:  

  • Licensed professional counselors  

  • Counselor educators  

  • Graduate counseling students  

3. Reside and practice/study within the U.S. 

4. Attend all required Hill Day program activities, including virtual trainings and in-person events.  

  • Repayment of grant funds will be required if participants fail to attend required meetings/events without cause. 

 

Preferred Applicant Characteristics 

Preference may be given to applicants who: 

  • Have not previously attended an ACA Hill Day  

  • Demonstrate financial need  

  • Serve high-need or underserved populations  

  • Show leadership within state branches, divisions or communities  

  • Have experience advocating for mental health access or equity  

  • Are early-career professionals or graduate students  

  • Come from a state or area typically underrepresented at Hill Day 

 

Grant Recipient Expectations 

Recipients must agree to: 

  • Attend all scheduled training sessions and meetings.

  • Participate professionally and respectfully during advocacy activities,  

  • Complete pre-event orientation,  

  • Submit a post-event reflection or survey,  

  • Participate in post Hill Day requirements, and

  • Share advocacy knowledge with local/state counseling communities.  

 

Post Hill Day Requirements may include: 

1. Participation in at least one follow-up advocacy action  

2. Report on your experience at the October 2026 Advocacy Power Hour 

3. Write a Counseling Today article, ACA member, blog or social media recap about the experience  

4. Submit photos/testimonials for organizational communications  

5. Completion of surveys measuring Hill Day effectiveness  

6. Submit a post-Hill Day report summarizing 

  • Congressional meetings attended  

  • Key issues discussed  

  • Legislator/staff responses  

 

A portion of the grant funding was generously provided by ACA partner, HPSO.