Public and Community-Engaged СÀ¶ÊÓƵship Grants: Tier 1

Spring 2025 Tier 1 grant funding has now been expended. Please check back soon for Fall 2025 deadlines.

Tier 1 grants (formerly named Micro Grants) supportÌýthe creation of public outreach events and partnership development activities through funding for materials, travel and more.

Applicants may request up to $2,000 for each project, and proposals are accepted under the following categories:ÌýÌý

  • Events – Lectures, workshops, community meetings or other stand-alone activities (stipends, materials, food, travel). Please note that Tier 1 grants cannot be used for strictly social events or conference attendance.Ìý
  • Partnership exploration or development – travel to/from a community partner, informal meetings (materials, refreshments, etc.), community partner honoraria, etc.Ìý

Public and Community-Engaged СÀ¶ÊÓƵship Grants fund work that connects research, teaching and creative work with public needs and interests.ÌýProjects must connect CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ scholarship with the expressed needs, interests or activities of external constituents and be aligned with the campus definition of .

Applicant must be a CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ faculty member, staff member or currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate student (with a faculty or staff advisor).

The most competitive Tier 1 (formerly named Micro Grants) grant proposals provide clear evidence of how the proposed activities and events respond to community-identified needs and meet the following criteria:

  • Align with the campus 
  • Align with our office's mission
  • Involves communities with less access to university resources
  • Connect to CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ scholarship (research, teaching or creative work)
  • Provide mutual benefit to CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ and external community participants

Allowable Expenses

  • Travel and project costs for community-engaged research, teaching or creative work and outreach events or activities.
  • Program materials or supplies, including food
  • Participant stipends and expenses
  • Pay for currently enrolled students up to $1,000

Non-allowable Budget Items

  • Pay or travel expenses for professional consultants or outside speakers
  • Faculty and staff pay, honoraria or release time
  • Academic conference attendance

The Office for Public and Community-Engaged СÀ¶ÊÓƵship accepts Tier 1 grants (formerly named Micro Grants) on a rolling basis during the fall and spring semesters.Ìý

  • Fall 2024: Aug. 26 – Dec. 12
  • Spring 2025: Jan. 13 - May 1

Once funds for the semester have been allotted, no additional applications will be accepted.

Proposals should be submitted online no later than 45 days before the proposed event or activity.Ìý

Review a copy of the application .

Ìý
  • Keep in mind that the review committee members represent various academic disciplines. Write your proposal so that it is clear to all.
  • Be sure to spell out acronyms and provide definitions for technical terms.
  • Prepare a draft of your proposal to cut and paste into the online submission form so that you have a copy for your records.
  • Check your word count. The online form will cut off any information that exceeds the maximum word count.

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