The Institute for Humanist Studies awarded more than $139,000 in grants to humanist projects for 2006. As in previous years, the grants reflect a strong focus on humanist youth development, with major grants going to student humanist groups, children's summer camps, campus activities, and international youth programs.

The grants are decided by a committee of leading humanist philanthropists. Since 2000, the IHS Grant Fund has awarded more than $800,000.

Specific projects awarded grants in 2006 are:

	Viveka Educational Society - Project HOW: Humanism on Wheels, Chirala, India Awarded: $5,000.00 The Viveka Educational Society will set up a library with a computer, LCD projector, sound system and school laboratory in a traveling bus to tour the villages and schools around Chirala to explain the importance of science and humanism for the eradication of superstitions in society.
	Atheist Alliance International - Camp Quest West, Los Angeles, CA Awarded: $5,000.00 Camp Quest West will provide camping experience to Freethought youth by providing a safe space for budding freethinkers to ask questions, give them confidence to follow their own answers and encourage curiosity.
	Rationalists of East Tennessee - Camp Quest of the Smoky Mountains, Louisville, TN Awarded: $4,090.00 The Rationalists of East Tennessee will operate Camp Quest of the Smoky Mountains, a secular summer camp for children, providing opportunities for families who are atheists, agnostics, freethinkers, secular humanists, skeptics or people who are willing to consider exploring ethical and intellectual alternatives to supernatural belief systems.
	Camp Quest of Michigan, Bloomfield Hills, MI Awarded: $5,000.00 Camp Quest of Michigan will provide a residential summer camp for children of irreligious parents. It will offer one of the many necessary social and cultural institutions that reinforce those principles in a nurturing recreational environment.
	American Humanist Association - Defending Alternative Faiths and Philosophies, Washington, D.C. Awarded: $5,000.00 The American Humanist Association will establish a pro-bono legal team and organize a diverse coalition to address the religious liberty of people of minority faiths and philosophies.
	Americans United for Separation of Church and State - A Day Without Separation of Church and State, Washington, DC Awarded: $5,000.00 The Americans United for the Separation of Church and State will provide materials and speakers to students across the country planning "A Day Without Separation of Church and State." The purpose is to organize a variety of educational events and activities on campuses in all regions of the country in order to raise student awareness.
	Internet Infidels – Debate Circuit Initiative, Colorado Springs, CO Awarded: $2,000.00 The Internet Infidels will co-sponsor debates on the existence of God and similar topics at American universities. Debates will be facilitated with the assistance of the Secular Student Alliance whenever possible, but Internet Infidels will spearhead the project and provide the bulk of the funding and logistical support.
	Secular Student Alliance (SSA) - Broad Base Year Four, Columbus, OH Awarded: $35,000.00 The fourth year of this project involves improving existing Secular Student Alliance services and adding alumni support, services to students not in groups, building relationships with faculty advisors, a new membership chapter model, international collaboration and providing tools for groups to get more involved in civics. SSA received $20,000 with an additional $15,000 challenge grant to be met by other donors by June 1, 2006.
	International Humanist and Ethical Union - Lecture Series and International Conference, London, UK Awarded: $10,000.00 The IHEU-Appignani Humanist Center for Bioethics in New York City will develop a lecture series on contemporary bioethical issues. The grant will also be used to fund an international conference.
	International Humanist and Ethical Union - Staff Person, London, UK Awarded: $20,000.00 The International Humanist and Ethical Union will use this final payment of a three year commitment to help pay for salary of Director of Operations.
	Solidarity for Freedom of Conscience – Monitoring Religious Education in Romania’s Public Schools, Bucharest, Romania Awarded: $4,980.00 Solidarity for Freedom of Conscience will research issues raised by religious education and other religious manifestations in Romanian public schools.
	Humanist Association of Nepal – Humanist Education Campaign through Nonbeliever Perspective, Kathmandu, Nepal Awarded: $20,000.00 Humanist Association of Nepal (HUMAN) will use the funding to support publication of humanist educational materials; conflict management and peace initiatives; empowerment of Dalits, untouchables, deprived and marginalized communities; advocacy and lobbying; mobilization of women and youth.
	International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization (IHEYO) - Staff Member for Organization, East Flanders, Belgium Awarded: $18,000.00 The full-time staff person will focus on fundraising, development and implementation of new projects.