VCU Division of Community Engagement

Office of the Provost

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Academic Community Partnership Planning Grants - Request for Proposals

The Division of Community Engagement invites proposals from VCU faculty for academic-community planning grants that advance community-engaged research. This opportunity supports the development of research partnerships with community partners that generate meaningful scholarly outputs and create lasting benefits for both faculty and community partners. The goal is to foster collaborations that address societal challenges and community-identified needs, laying the groundwork for future grant funding, research projects, and programmatic initiatives. These planning grants are intended to strengthen the foundation for high-quality community-engaged scholarship that is responsive, impactful, and sustainable.

Awards

  • The DCE will provide 10 one-year seed grants of up to $10,000 to support academic-community partnerships.
  • Each proposal must have a designated community partner as a co-partner on the grant.
  • Applications are due March 27, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

Eligibility

  • Open to all VCU Full-time faculty with a community co-partner
  • Must participate in a mid-year grantee meeting with the community partner
  • Must enter grant activities into Collaboratory, VCU’s Database for community-engaged activities and partnerships

Information Sessions

Three virtual informational sessions will be offered to provide guidance and answer any questions applicants may have specific to the RFP, community engagement or community-engaged research.

  • Grant Info Session - Virtual | January 27, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. | Register Here
  • Grant Award Panel Discussion - Virtual | February 18, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 P.M. | Register Here
  • Grant Info Session - Virtual | March 4, 2026 | 1:00 - 2:00 P.M. | Register Here

How to Apply

  1. Prepare your proposal following the requirements in the 2026 ACPPG Full List of Proposal Submission Requirements
  2. Email your application to dcegrantsinfo@vcu.edu.
  3. Subject line suggestion: Academic-Community Partnership Planning Grant Proposal – [First Name, Last Name]

Questions?

For questions, contact Mitsuko Cedras at cedrasmd@vcu.edu.