The Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies

Community-Based Research Grants for Faculty

Application Deadline: Spring 2011
(date to be announced)

Download pdf of Community-based research grant application

Community-based research (CBR) is a partnership of faculty and community organizations, public agencies or community members who collaboratively engage in research with the purpose of solving a pressing community problem or addressing social change.  In some cases, students may also be positive collaborators in the research process.  View examples of community-based research.

The Colin Powell Center promotes community-based research by providing professional development so faculty members can learn about best practices in community-based research and community-campus partnerships. The Powell Center can also help faculty members form partnerships with community organizations, provide financial support for project-related expenses, and assist research teams in others ways to develop successful community-based research experiences.

Purpose of Grant

Community-based research grants provide support for City College’s full-time faculty to learn about and engage in community-based research.

Amount of Award

Grant recipients receive:

• $1,000 for participating in a series of workshops that cover best practices in CBR and community-campus partnerships (must participate in six hours total).
• Up to an additional $3,000 for research assistant stipends or approved project-related expenses.   (A final project plan that incorporates best practices in community-based research and a detailed budget outlining project related expenses is required to receive remaining grant funds.)

Workshops

Grant recipients are required to participate in series of workshops led by Colin Powell Center staff.  By the end of the workshop series, participants will be able to identify:

• differences between traditional academic research and CBR
• origins and principles of CBR
• benefits and principles of successful CBR partnerships
• methodological principles and research practices in CBR

Center staff will also work with grant recipients to develop a final project proposal that describes the research question(s), outlines the research design, and articulates the role of community partners, and if appropriate, student collaborators.   If approved, the Powell Center will grant remaining funds (up to $3,000) for project-related expenses or stipends for research assistants.

Fellowship Deadline

Application deadlines for Spring 2011 will be announced. 

To Apply

 Submit the following information to Nora Heaphy, Deputy Director, the Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies, Shepard Hall 550, nheaphy@ccny.cuny.edu:

1.  An application cover sheet containing the following:

1. Applicant’s name, title, campus address, email, phone, professional website (if applicable).
2. Short bio containing academic interests, number of years at City College, and typical courses taught.
3. Typical weekly schedule for spring semester 2011, including times available to participate in the CBR workshops (the workshops will be scheduled based on grant recipients’ availability).
4. Signature of applicant and department chair/program head confirming the chair’s commitment to have the applicant participate in the program.

2.  A two to three page proposal that includes:

            A.            Description of the applicant’s interest in and experience (if any) with community-based research.

            B:            Description of a prospective community-based research project.  Types or names of prospective community groups (e.g. non-profit organizations, government agencies, schools), your existing relationship (if any) to these groups, and roles/tasks you imagine for these groups in the research process.

            C.             Description of the potential or intended impact of the research.  In the description, discuss how the research might influence current or future public policy, improve or enhance the capacity of a community group or agency to achieve its mission, and/or positively impact community members.                    

                        (Note:  Community partners with which we conduct CBR are typically non-profit organizations, public agencies, or grassroots groups that provide direct social or educational services or engage in advocacy efforts, among other purposes.) 

Completed applications should be sent to:

Nora Heaphy, Deputy Director

Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies

City College of New York

160 Convent Ave., Shepard Hall Room 550.

New York, New York 10031

For questions or additional information, please contact Nora Heaphy (x8552) or nheaphy@ccny.cuny.edu.