Request for Proposals
Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant Program
Funding faculty to build collaborative, community-driven research that creates lasting impact across our region.
- $25,000 Award
- 12-Month Projects
- All Disciplines Welcome
- Quest 2028
Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026, by 6:00 PM
Award Notification: June 19, 2026
About the Program
Advancing community-engaged research at VCU
As a Carnegie -classified R1 institution with a community-engaged distinction, VCU is committed to supporting faculty in conducting collaborative research that addresses real community needs. The Thriving Communities Research Pilot Grant Program provides essential seed funding to explore innovative, multidisciplinary approaches, especially for faculty new to community-engaged research or looking to expand their methods.
This program is part of VCU's Quest 2028 strategic plan, under the Thriving Communities theme, which focuses on improving community health, addressing societal challenges, and fostering strong, mutually beneficial partnerships.
Program Goals
What this grant is designed to do
- Providing faculty with pilot funding to explore innovative, multidisciplinary, and community-engaged approaches to their research.
- Supporting faculty who wish to incorporate community-engaged methods, especially if they are new to this approach.
- Encouraging partnerships with 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 disciplinary background, including basic scientists or faculty who have not previously engaged in community-engaged research
- Advancing VCU’s commitment to Thriving Communities as outlined in Quest 2028.
Funding & Eligibility
Who can apply
Proposals from all academic disciplines are encouraged. The only requirements are that the applicant is a full-time member of the VCU community and that the project involves a community partner.
- Full-time VCU faculty
- Full-time research staff
- Must include a community partner
- All disciplines welcome
- New & experienced researchers
Application Requirements
What your proposal must include
Proposals must not exceed four pages (excluding appendices). Submit as a single PDF using 12-point font, 1-inch margins, and single spacing to dcegrantsinfo@vcu.edu
Abstract
- 150-word summary on a separate page
Team & Partners
- Names, titles, departments, and community partner information on a separate page.
Background & Research Plan
- Background & Research Plan
- Background and significance of the community issue being addressed.
- Specific aims and objectives of the pilot project.
- Description of the research methods and activities, ensuring community engagement at every stage of the process.
- Community Partnership Plan
- Clear articulation of the community partner’s role in the design, planning, and implementation phases.
- Detailed description of how the community partner will be involved at every stage of the research process.
- Strategies for ensuring collaboration and shared decision-making.
- Description of how research findings will be disseminated both academically and within the community.
- Sustainability and Long-term Strategy
- Explain their approach to leveraging project outcomes for future funding.
- Describe efforts to build community capacity and address community concerns about what happens after the research concludes.
- Highlight plans for partnering with local organizations to sustain efforts.
- Include how VCU students will be engaged in ways that contribute to the project’s long-term impact.
- Evaluation
- Metrics for assessing the project's success and impact, and student learning when students are involved.
- Methods for capturing both qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
- Timeline
- A clear timeline for project activities, including milestones for community engagement activities, data collection, evaluation, and dissemination.
- Human Subjects Research (if applicable)
- Plans for securing human subjects approval and ensuring compliance with all ethical requirements.
Budget and Justification
- Detailed breakdown of how funds will be used, with an emphasis on equitable distribution of resources to benefit both the academic and community partners.
Letters of Support
- Letter from the department chair
- Letter from the community partner outlining their role in the design and planning process, their commitment to ongoing engagement throughout the project, and how they have been involved in the project design.
Review Criteria
How Proposals are Evaluated
- Alignment with the goals of Quest 2028 and the Thriving Communities theme.
- Strength of the community partnership, with a focus on partner involvement at all stages of the research process.
- Clarity and feasibility of the project design, evaluation plan, and timeline.
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of sustainability in community-engaged research, with evidence of planning for lasting community benefits, future funding potential, and long-term impact incorporated into the project design.
- Impact on addressing the identified community need, including plans for academic and community dissemination of findings.
After the Award
Expectations for grantees
Recipients are expected to remain engaged throughout the grant period with the following requirements:
- Grantees will participate in a progress meeting at the 6-month mark to discuss project progress, successes, and any challenges encountered.
- A project end report will be required, summarizing the project’s successes, outcomes, and next steps.
- Prior to the final report due, faculty are expected to use VCU’s partnership database, Collaboratory, to enter their community partnerships and project details.
Key dates
Program Timeline
- Proposals Submission Deadline: May 15, 2026, by 6 pm
- Award Notification: June 19, 2026
Informational Session
Have questions? Join us live
The Division of Community Engagement is hosting an informational session for prospective applicants. Get your questions answered and learn more about the grant program directly from staff.
- Date: Monday April 21, 2026
- Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Ready to Apply
Download the full RFP and submit your proposals
Review the complete Request for Proposals for detailed guidelines, then submit your PDF by May 15, 2026
Contact for Questions
Challen Wellington
wellingtonc@vcu.edu
2024-2025 Thriving Communities Pilot Grant Recipients
Below are the recipients whose projects exemplify collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to building healthier, more resilient communities.
Project: Kare: RVA A Community Partnership to Improve Kidney Health in Richmond through Awareness, Risk Screening, and Education
Amber Paulus, Ph.D., RN, Associate Chief, Nephrology Research & Data Analytics, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, VCU School of Medicine
Project Description: The KARE-RVA initiative aims to improve kidney health equity in Richmond’s East End by expanding screenings, offering genetic testing, and addressing social needs through community partnerships. Building on previous findings, the project combines health assessments with targeted education and personalized reports to support early detection and community-driven care.
AI for Thriving Communities: Enhancing Educational Outcomes Through AI Learning Support
Radhika Barua, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, College of Engineering
Project Description: This pilot study will explore how AI tools can enhance STEM education and student engagement among secondary school students and teachers in the Greater Richmond Area. In partnership with local nonprofits, the project will assess the impact of AI workshops and classroom integration on teaching practices and learning outcomes.
Amplifying Teacher Power: Co-researching the Local Impact of Yale National Initiative on Teacher Fellows from Richmond Public Schools
Sara Wilson McKay, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Art Education, School of the Arts
Project Description: This project brings together Richmond Public Schools Teacher Fellows and VCU faculty to examine the local impact of the Yale National Initiative on teacher retention, professional growth, and classroom empowerment. Using a critical participatory inquiry approach, the team will co-investigate how the program supports educators and inform future strategies for sustaining teachers in the classroom.
A culturally informed service navigation model for connecting families in need with early childhood development resources
Virginia Chu, Ph.D., OTR/L, Director, Sensorimotor Performance and Rehabilitation Engineering Lab, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Health Professions
Project Description: This pilot project aims to improve early intervention access for Spanish-speaking and low-income families by developing a culturally and linguistically informed service navigation model. Through interprofessional training and community partnerships, the initiative will connect families with developmental resources and address systemic barriers in Richmond neighborhoods.