IRISE Virtues Project

A $699,287 grant initiative supported by the Educating Character Initiative funded by a grant from the Lilly Foundation.

What are IRISE virtues?

IRISE Virtues align with the IRISE values of integrity, respect, innovation, stewardship, and excellence. The IRISE virtues define what it means to be a Kansas Jayhawk. Our project focuses on IRISE virtues.

Key IRISE Values and Virtues

Upcoming Opportunities

We are currently seeking faculty, staff, and student participants for our 2026-27 workshops!

We need 15 faculty who are interested in revising or creating a virtues-oriented course.

We are also seeking 10 staff and 10 student group representatives to attend our virtues workshops (two in fall, two in spring). Staff participants will receive a small stipend for participating, and student groups will be eligible to apply for one of two $1000 awards.

Email irisevirtues@ku.edu for more information.

Fall 2026 Call for Applications

IRISE Next Steps and Resources

Values and Virtues

In the initial phases of our grant proposal, the IRISE values and virtues were established and written out so that a clear intention and purpose in our actions were able to be provided. By understanding each virtue that IRISE focuses on, we can better collaborate and work together to establish their presence at the University of Kansas.

IRISE Values and Virtues

IRISE Virtues Charter wins grant

The IRISE Virtues initiative was developed in 2023 and awarded the present grant in 2025. KU News developed an article on the grant award and discussed the progress of the IRISE initiative. The three-year, $699,287 grant, is entitled “Character Development at KU: The IRISE Virtues Initiative."

KU News Release Article on IRISE Grant

Institute for Policy & Social Research

The Institute for Policy & Social Research (IPSR) assists in the management of the present grant.

Institute for Policy & Social Research

Virtues Research

Mohammad Salehi Oskuei, PhD student in KU's Department of Philosophy, explores the importance of IRISE Virtues and their impacts on KU's campus.

Why IRISE Virtues Matter for Character Building at KU

KU IRISE Initiatives Awards

SFL Organization Awards

Two $1,000 awards were awarded to SFL Organizations at this year's 2026 SFL Award Ceremony in April. The two SFL organizations recognized for their involvement and commitment to the IRISE virtues were, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and Alpha Delta Pi

Student Organization Workshop Awards

Two $1,000 awards were given to two organizations, the Center for Community Outreach and the Environmental Health Club, who each participated in this 2026 Spring semester IRISE Initiative workshops.

Student Organization Mini Grant Awards

One $1,000 mini grant was awarded to the Spencer Research Library's student librarians to be used to support event programming and IRISE training.

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Join the Community

Get involved in the KU IRISE initiative for your unit, department, class, or student organization. Student programming and workshops, along with modules and course programming are available to encourage the growth of IRISE virtues on campus.

Get Involved