Request for Proposals
Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant Program
Call for Proposals
The Division of Community Engagement invites proposals for the Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant Program. This program provides $25,000 in funding for pilot research projects that address community-identified needs and foster collaboration between VCU faculty and community partners.
Proposals should:
- Demonstrate a clear alignment with Quest 2028’s Thriving Communities theme and VCU’s priority partner community goals. Priority Partner Communities PDF
- Outline an innovative research project that incorporates community engagement at every stage.
- Provide a plan for ensuring long-term sustainability, including strategies for leveraging pilot work to secure future funding, building community capacity, and addressing what happens after the research concludes.
- Include a clear evaluation plan to assess impact and shared outcomes for both academic and community stakeholders.
This program seeks to support faculty in stepping beyond traditional research paradigms, embracing the principles of community engagement, and creating transformative partnerships that address critical community needs. Proposals from all disciplines are encouraged, with the aim of supporting faculty in building a foundation for impactful and sustainable research that makes a real difference in the communities we serve.
Program Goals
- Providing faculty with pilot funding to explore innovative and community-engaged approaches to their research.
- Supporting faculty who wish to incorporate community-engaged methods, even if they are new to this approach.
- Encouraging partnerships with VCU’s priority partner communities or other community organizations to address critical, community-identified needs.
- Creating opportunities for faculty to build preliminary data and evidence that can serve as a foundation for larger, externally funded projects.
- Empowering researchers to expand their methodologies and impact, regardless of their discipline, including creative arts, basic scientists, etc. or faculty who have not previously conducted community-engaged research.
- Advancing VCU’s commitment to Thriving Communities as outlined in Quest 2028 and DCE’s mission.
Eligibility
Applicants must be full-time VCU faculty members. Projects must involve a community partner and address a need within one of VCU’s priority partner communities or provide a strong rationale for partnerships outside these areas.
Funding Details
Four grants of $25,000 each will be awarded. Projects should be completed within 12 months of the award date.
Informational Sessions
Deadline
The proposal application deadline is March 14, 2025
Submission Instructions
Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF document to dcegrantsinfo@vcu.edu by March 14th.
Formatting guidelines include 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and single spacing.