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Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC)
Join a dynamic, in-person community of scholars committed to making their research matter beyond the academy. The Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC) is an exciting opportunity for tenure-track faculty to connect across disciplines and strengthen community-engaged research. This collaborative offers in-person sessions focused on peer exchange, shared learning, and exposure to approaches, funding pathways, and institutional supports for CEnR. Apply by May 29. Participants who complete the program will receive a $1,000 stipend to support professional development.
- Deadline: May 29, 2026
- Stipend: $1,000
- Format: In-person
- Eligibility: Tenure-track faculty
Overview
A dedicated space for scholarly growth and community impact
The Community-Engaged Research Scholars Collaborative (CERSC) is an initiative of VCU’s Division of Community Engagement designed for tenure-track faculty interested in integrating community-engaged research into their scholarly work.
This in-person collaborative brings together a cohort of faculty fellows and creates a dedicated space for connection, reflection, and active engagement. Participation requires a clear commitment. Faculty are expected to attend sessions regularly, review shared materials in advance, and come prepared to discuss their own projects, questions, and areas of focus.
Whether you are new to community-engaged research or seeking to deepen your work, this collaborative provides mentorship, peer learning, and cross-disciplinary exchange. Sessions will focus on advancing scholarly outputs, strengthening community partnerships, applying community-engaged research frameworks, and identifying funding pathways.
Faculty fellows will also build networks across campus and disciplines while developing strategies to align their research with both scholarly goals and meaningful community impact.
Note: You do not need to focus exclusively on CEnR to apply. Scholars pursuing other research paths who wish to integrate community engagement into their work are welcome.
What to Expect
This collaborative offers foundational knowledge, practical guidance, and peer learning to help you deepen or launch your CEnR efforts. You will work toward a specific product or milestone with the support of experienced mentors and peers.
Program Goals
- Create a peer learning environment where faculty can share challenges, experiences, and strategies
- Create a peer learning environment where faculty can share challenges, experiences, and strategies
- Provide access to mentorship, expert guidance, and community-engaged research consultation for projects, grants, and other scholarly outputs
- Increase awareness and use of institutional resources that support community-engaged research
- Strengthen connections to VCU’s broader community-engaged research and learning network
- Support each participant in advancing a defined community-engaged research goal or product
Eligibility and Submission Criteria
Applicants must:
- Tenure-track faculty member at VCU
- Able to attend in-person sessions consistently
- Willing to review materials in advance
- Prepared to engage and discuss their own work
- Strong interest in initiating or strengthening community-engaged research
- Interested in integrating community engagement into their research portfolio
- Committed to advancing a specific research goal or project
- Letter of support from Department Chair
- Submit an updated CV
What Participants Will Receive
- Strategic guidance to refine and strengthen your community-engaged research focus
- Thought partnership on project design, community partnerships, and stakeholder engagement
- Support navigating institutional structures and resources specific to CEnR
- Exposure to funding pathways and mechanisms for CEnR
- Opportunities to connect with university offices that support CEnR
- Insights into publishing, presenting, and framing CEnR scholarship
- Space for reflection on values, positionality, and partnerships
- Structured feedback to support progress on your specific project or goal
Stipend
Participants who fully complete the program will receive a $1,000 stipend to support professional development. This funding is intended to be used toward activities that advance your scholarly work and growth. The stipend will be distributed in the spring semester.