Swearer Center for Public Service
Engaged Research Mini-Grants
Engaged Research Mini-Grants support expenses related to conducting and/or presenting engaged research that involves some collaboration with community members or organizations, as well as the creation of a product, analysis, or other outcome that will be shared with the community partner and/or broader public audiences.
Funding
The Engaged Research Mini-Grants budget is divided into fall, spring and summer allocations . A committee will conduct a holistic review of all applications. Selection criteria will include the clarity of the proposal’s academic and public purposes, the relevance of the budget, the project’s alignment with the Swearer Center’s values and learning priorities, and the depth and potential impact of the research partnership.
- Honoraria are awarded to community-based organizations or individuals who collaborate with the student on the research (e.g., denying the research question, contributing to data collection, being interviewed, or co-presenting the research).
- Inexpensive supplies or materials needed for a research project that is not available to the student through various facilities at Brown (IT; VISA).
- Travel expenses, registration fees and limited per diem expenses for conducting research or presenting papers and/or posters at conferences.
Expenses may not include salary support for the student, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, expensive travel and accommodations when less expensive options are available, or purchases of equipment that can be borrowed from departments, IT services or other campus units.
Financial Requirements
Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for mini-grants up to $500.
Applicants will be asked to indicate any other types of research funding they have applied for or already secured. Undergraduate students cannot receive multiple grants or fellowships (e.g., Research at Brown grant, Royce Fellowship, Engaged Research Mini-Grant) for the same proposal/project during the same application cycle. If students are awarded one grant or fellowship, they will be required to remove any applications under consideration for other awards before acceptance.
Research Guidelines
Student research must align with all Brown University research guidelines and protocols. Resources include Brown's Division of Research, the Research Cycle and Swearer Center's Engaged Research.
Apply
Applications for the Engaged Research Mini-Granst open on UFunds every December.
Contact Us
- A description of your proposed research project (Maximum 500 words).
- Amount requested and planned budget (noting what will be covered by mini-grant funds, if the total budget is more than $500).
- A recommendation from a faculty advisor, community-based partner, or mentor confirming their relationship with you and their familiarity and support of your work/proposed research project.
- Optional question: Describe the strengths and value they see in your proposed research project (250-word limit).
Each mini-grant recipient will be asked to submit a post-award form reporting how the funds were utilized and reecting on how the supported experience with engaged research has contributed to their academic studies, personal or professional development and plans beyond Brown.