In collaboration with the Council on Community Engagement, we invited proposals from VCU Faculty and research Program staff to secure funding for planning grants that support community-engaged projects! Whether new to community-engaged research, currently collaborating with a community partner, or seeking to establish a new community partner, this planning grant offers the opportunity to develop an intentional, mutually beneficial relationship. This partnership will serve as the foundation for future collaborative research or programmatic initiatives! 

The Academic-Community Partnership Planning Grants aims to:

• Strengthen and expand academic-community partnerships, fostering collaboration and mutual benefit
• Facilitate community identification of the research problem in collaboration with the academic partner
• Strengthen the science of community engagement in promoting Thriving Communities as Outlines in Quest 2028, and increasing coordinated programs in priority partner communities.

We define partnerships as "a sustained collaboration between institutions of higher education and communities for the mutual beneficial exchange, exploration and application of knowledge, information, and resources." This planning grant allows for dedicated time to develop a strong and trusting partnership with a community partner. 

Priority Partner Communities

We encourage partnerships with a community partner in one of VCU's priority partner communities as reference in the Thriving Communities Goal. Our Priority Partner Communities are:

• Carver
• Jackson Ward
• Blackwell/Manchester/Southwood
• Petersburg
• East End
• Charles City

*Applications focusing outside these communities are also welcomed.

Priority Focus Areas:

Our grants will go towards research projects that focus on one of these priority areas:

1. Health equity and disparities
2. Art, social, and technological development
3. Economic and workforce development
4. Pre-K - 16 student success
5. Youth Development
6. Partnership development and collaboration
7. Transformative student engagement
8. Richmond's History

Awardees were announced  May 6, 2024!