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opportunities for Faculty & Staff     /    Engaged Opportunity Grants
Engaged Opportunity Grants
Providing seed support for a wide range of community-engaged learning projects
This Opportunity At a Glance
Available To

Faculty and Staff (Faculty and staff from schools, colleges and programs that have not received an Einhorn Center block grant (see details))

Funding

$3,000 (maximum)

The next application is due

February 10, 2023

APPLY NOW

What’s new in this year’s RFP?

  • The College of Architecture, Art and Planning, College of Human Ecology and Cornell SC Johnson College of Business are participating in our Engaged College Initiative, so individuals from these colleges aren’t eligible to apply directly for this grant. They can, however, be part of a project team with members from other colleges. And they should contact the representative in their college to learn about current and upcoming opportunities to support their community-engaged work.
  • Funding maximum: $3,000
  • Community-based coalitions with proposals impacting New York State may be eligible.
Purpose
Purpose

Cornell faculty and staff are always thinking of ways to create, enhance or sustain community-engaged learning opportunities for undergraduates, but they might not have the funds to support their ideas. Engaged Opportunity Grants are designed to help by supporting large and small projects from across the university.

These grants are intended to support community-engaged learning activities, including:

Community-engaged leadership student programming:

  • projects where students can integrate their leadership education and community-engaged learning through critical reflection
  • collaborations with diverse partners (e.g., communities, alumni and other university stakeholders) that build student leadership capacity through community-engaged learning

Other opportunities:

  • production and dissemination of “public products” in support of and/or celebrating community-engaged learning; including, but not limited to, community-engaged presentation at conferences/workshops, publications (print and electronic), tools, podcasts, videos, exhibits and datasets, and professional development/training to support production
  • focused program evaluation of a community-engaged learning project
  • co-sponsorship and documentation of community-engaged events
  • informal seminars, networking or collaboration development activities (e.g., thematic luncheon conversations, symposia, workshops, pilot collaborations, speakers, communications infrastructure) related to community-engaged learning

 

Do you have an idea not listed here? Contact the Einhorn Center and we can talk about your project.

Engaged Opportunity Grants are not intended for projects that serve one individual undergraduate:

For that, see Certificate in Community-Engaged Leadership and Serve in Place Fund.

Purpose

Cornell faculty and staff are always thinking of ways to create, enhance or sustain community-engaged learning opportunities for undergraduates, but they might not have the funds to support their ideas. Engaged Opportunity Grants are designed to help by supporting large and small projects from across the university.

These grants are intended to support community-engaged learning activities, including:

Community-engaged leadership student programming:

  • projects where students can integrate their leadership education and community-engaged learning through critical reflection
  • collaborations with diverse partners (e.g., communities, alumni and other university stakeholders) that build student leadership capacity through community-engaged learning

Other opportunities:

  • production and dissemination of “public products” in support of and/or celebrating community-engaged learning; including, but not limited to, community-engaged presentation at conferences/workshops, publications (print and electronic), tools, podcasts, videos, exhibits and datasets, and professional development/training to support production
  • focused program evaluation of a community-engaged learning project
  • co-sponsorship and documentation of community-engaged events
  • informal seminars, networking or collaboration development activities (e.g., thematic luncheon conversations, symposia, workshops, pilot collaborations, speakers, communications infrastructure) related to community-engaged learning

 

Do you have an idea not listed here? Contact the Einhorn Center and we can talk about your project.

Engaged Opportunity Grants are not intended for projects that serve one individual undergraduate:

For that, see Certificate in Community-Engaged Leadership and Serve in Place Fund.

Eligibility
Eligibility

Faculty of any rank, staff, post-docs and medical fellows from Cornell academic or non-academic units*.

*Exception: Individuals from the College of Architecture, Art and Planning, College of Human Ecology and Cornell SC Johnson College of Business can’t apply directly for this grant since these colleges are participating in our Engaged College Initiative.If you are from one of these colleges and are co-leading a project with individuals from other colleges, please email Dhyana Gonzalez to discuss your application. We also encourage you to contact your college representative to learn about current and upcoming opportunities to support your community-engaged work.

Temporary staff and students can be team members but cannot serve as team leads. Participation of community partners and alumni is encouraged.

Cornell affiliate organizations should consult the Einhorn Center to determine eligibility.

Community-based coalitions in active partnership with Cornell with proposals impacting New York State should consult Dhyana Gonzalez, NYS partnership liaison, or Mike Bishop, director of strategic partnerships and co-curricular learning, to determine eligibility.

Projects that have already received an Engaged Opportunity Grant may not apply again.

Engaged College Initiative Eligibility

In fall 2020, the Einhorn Center launched an engaged college initiative, which includes college block grants. Faculty and staff from the colleges listed below should contact the community-engaged learning coordinators to learn about college-specific opportunities and when they’ll be available. Of course, they are still invited to collaborate with the Einhorn Center and participate in Einhorn Center programs.

  • Victoria Beard, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
  • Kristen Elmore, College of Human Ecology
  • Candace Maxian, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

If you are from a college listed above and are co-leading a cross-college project, email the Einhorn Center to discuss your application.

Eligibility

Faculty of any rank, staff, post-docs and medical fellows from Cornell academic or non-academic units*.

*Exception: Individuals from the College of Architecture, Art and Planning, College of Human Ecology and Cornell SC Johnson College of Business can’t apply directly for this grant since these colleges are participating in our Engaged College Initiative.If you are from one of these colleges and are co-leading a project with individuals from other colleges, please email Dhyana Gonzalez to discuss your application. We also encourage you to contact your college representative to learn about current and upcoming opportunities to support your community-engaged work.

Temporary staff and students can be team members but cannot serve as team leads. Participation of community partners and alumni is encouraged.

Cornell affiliate organizations should consult the Einhorn Center to determine eligibility.

Community-based coalitions in active partnership with Cornell with proposals impacting New York State should consult Dhyana Gonzalez, NYS partnership liaison, or Mike Bishop, director of strategic partnerships and co-curricular learning, to determine eligibility.

Projects that have already received an Engaged Opportunity Grant may not apply again.

Engaged College Initiative Eligibility

In fall 2020, the Einhorn Center launched an engaged college initiative, which includes college block grants. Faculty and staff from the colleges listed below should contact the community-engaged learning coordinators to learn about college-specific opportunities and when they’ll be available. Of course, they are still invited to collaborate with the Einhorn Center and participate in Einhorn Center programs.

  • Victoria Beard, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning
  • Kristen Elmore, College of Human Ecology
  • Candace Maxian, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

If you are from a college listed above and are co-leading a cross-college project, email the Einhorn Center to discuss your application.

Funding
Funding

Funding for grants will not exceed $3,000. All budget lines must be justified. Applicants should make their case for the use of funds most appropriate to their need. Please note that grantees might not receive their full budget request and that conference attendees will be limited to $500 of funding per traveler.

Opportunity Grants have an 18-month term and are not renewable. At the end of the approved grant period, grantholders will return remaining funds to the Einhorn Center.

Opportunity Grants are not retroactive and can only support programs or travel that takes place after posted notification dates.

Funding

Funding for grants will not exceed $3,000. All budget lines must be justified. Applicants should make their case for the use of funds most appropriate to their need. Please note that grantees might not receive their full budget request and that conference attendees will be limited to $500 of funding per traveler.

Opportunity Grants have an 18-month term and are not renewable. At the end of the approved grant period, grantholders will return remaining funds to the Einhorn Center.

Opportunity Grants are not retroactive and can only support programs or travel that takes place after posted notification dates.

Application Submission and Notification
Application Submission and Notification

There are three deadlines per year. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the Einhorn Center at any time during the application process.

Winter 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023
Applications open
Sept. 2022 Dec. 2022 Mar. 2023
Application deadline Oct. 28, 2022 Feb. 10, 2023 Apr. 14, 2023
Notification of awards End of Nov. 2022 Early Mar. 2023 Early May 2023
Start date Mid Dec. 2022 Mid Mar. 2023 Mid May 2023

 

Application Submission and Notification

There are three deadlines per year. Prospective applicants are encouraged to consult the Einhorn Center at any time during the application process.

Winter 2022 Spring 2023 Summer 2023
Applications open
Sept. 2022 Dec. 2022 Mar. 2023
Application deadline Oct. 28, 2022 Feb. 10, 2023 Apr. 14, 2023
Notification of awards End of Nov. 2022 Early Mar. 2023 Early May 2023
Start date Mid Dec. 2022 Mid Mar. 2023 Mid May 2023

 

Expectations and Deliverables
Expectations and Deliverables

Grantees are required to submit a brief end-of-project report using a template provided. As appropriate, feedback from community partners may be sought as part of this reporting process.

If applicable, grantees will provide documentation and evaluation of student learning outcomes. Grantees may use an assessment tool of their own devising or one of those provided by the Einhorn Center.

If applicable, grantees will also provide documentation and evaluation of the partnership, including community partner voice and feedback. Grantees may use a Partnership Assessment Tool of their own devising or one of those provided by the Einhorn Center.

Additional follow-up may be requested depending on the nature of the funding request.

Expectations and Deliverables

Grantees are required to submit a brief end-of-project report using a template provided. As appropriate, feedback from community partners may be sought as part of this reporting process.

If applicable, grantees will provide documentation and evaluation of student learning outcomes. Grantees may use an assessment tool of their own devising or one of those provided by the Einhorn Center.

If applicable, grantees will also provide documentation and evaluation of the partnership, including community partner voice and feedback. Grantees may use a Partnership Assessment Tool of their own devising or one of those provided by the Einhorn Center.

Additional follow-up may be requested depending on the nature of the funding request.

Budget
Budget

Allowable Expenses

  • Faculty and/or staff support:
    • **Travel, meals and lodging associated community-engaged learning conducted off campus
    • Project planning, development, assessment and dissemination
    • Reservation of space
    • Materials that support the project
  • Student support:
    • **Travel, meals and lodging associated with community-engaged learning conducted off campus
    • Direct costs incurred by students involved in the project (e.g., conference registration)
    • Costs of publication
    • Systems that support the student work experience (graphics, software, enrollment in online training, etc.)
    • Wages for students (work study, other). Information about Cornell student employment and federal work-study is available at studentemployment.cornell.edu/policies
  • Partner support:
    • Funds that support the participation of the off-campus community in the experience and/or documentation, including expenses necessary to build capacity for partner participation
    • Honoraria for outside speakers and/or consultants to complement project planning and student learning
    • **Speaker travel costs

**All travel and related funding must follow Cornell’s current COVID-19 policies. See policies for students, or see policies for faculty and staff.

Unallowable Expenses

  • overhead and indirect costs (IDC);
  • tuition;
  • capital projects;
  • faculty or staff salaries;
  • post-graduation wages or travel costs for students.
Budget

Allowable Expenses

  • Faculty and/or staff support:
    • **Travel, meals and lodging associated community-engaged learning conducted off campus
    • Project planning, development, assessment and dissemination
    • Reservation of space
    • Materials that support the project
  • Student support:
    • **Travel, meals and lodging associated with community-engaged learning conducted off campus
    • Direct costs incurred by students involved in the project (e.g., conference registration)
    • Costs of publication
    • Systems that support the student work experience (graphics, software, enrollment in online training, etc.)
    • Wages for students (work study, other). Information about Cornell student employment and federal work-study is available at studentemployment.cornell.edu/policies
  • Partner support:
    • Funds that support the participation of the off-campus community in the experience and/or documentation, including expenses necessary to build capacity for partner participation
    • Honoraria for outside speakers and/or consultants to complement project planning and student learning
    • **Speaker travel costs

**All travel and related funding must follow Cornell’s current COVID-19 policies. See policies for students, or see policies for faculty and staff.

Unallowable Expenses

  • overhead and indirect costs (IDC);
  • tuition;
  • capital projects;
  • faculty or staff salaries;
  • post-graduation wages or travel costs for students.
Selection Criteria
Selection Criteria

Einhorn Center staff and leadership will review proposals, with selections being made by applying the following criteria, as appropriate:

  • Involvement of undergraduate students
  • Contribution to Cornell’s goal of 100% undergraduate participation in high-quality community-engaged learning opportunities, which
    • Address a specific community interest, problem or public concern
    • Include working with and learning from a community partner
    • Connect and integrate community-engaged experiences with educational content
    • Include structured, documented critical reflection
  • Evidence of community-identified and/or project need
  • Feasibility of addressing specified need in partnership with the community/partner
  • Clear indication of community-engaged student learning and leadership opportunity
  • Prospect for sustaining the community-engaged learning beyond the life of the grant

Given the competitive funding environment, special priority is given to projects that:

  • Come from departments/programs that offer fewer opportunities for community-engaged learning
Selection Criteria

Einhorn Center staff and leadership will review proposals, with selections being made by applying the following criteria, as appropriate:

  • Involvement of undergraduate students
  • Contribution to Cornell’s goal of 100% undergraduate participation in high-quality community-engaged learning opportunities, which
    • Address a specific community interest, problem or public concern
    • Include working with and learning from a community partner
    • Connect and integrate community-engaged experiences with educational content
    • Include structured, documented critical reflection
  • Evidence of community-identified and/or project need
  • Feasibility of addressing specified need in partnership with the community/partner
  • Clear indication of community-engaged student learning and leadership opportunity
  • Prospect for sustaining the community-engaged learning beyond the life of the grant

Given the competitive funding environment, special priority is given to projects that:

  • Come from departments/programs that offer fewer opportunities for community-engaged learning
Instructions
Instructions

Proposals must be submitted using the online application form, and include the following information, within the space limits described on the form. Forms will differ slightly from the text below, depending on the nature of the funding request.

  1. Project title
  2. Name(s) of team member(s) and their unit(s)
  3. Signature endorsements from chair or supervisor
  4. Community partner(s) information, if applicable. Letter of collaboration is required.
  5. Succinct summary, to be shared publicly, describing the project context, public purpose and what the project team will be doing
  6. Short narrative that describes the overarching goals of the community-engaged learning activity, what you plan to do, how you plan to do it and potential next steps and/or outcomes. As is relevant to the request, include:
    • Description of the project, inclusive of community-identified need
    • Clearly identified community partner(s), their role and the benefit of the work to the partner(s)
    • Role of the student(s) and anticipated student learning outcomes and how you plan to assess these
    • How the project/initiative directly supports undergraduate community-engaged learning at Cornell, or creates the supportive environment for this learning to take place in the near future
    • Description of how the presentation advances the presenter’s discipline; promotes positive civic/social impact; and/or contributes to the field of community-engaged learning
    • Opportunities to sustain project beyond the grant period
  7. Additional project information (e.g., course prerequisites, project completion date, conference abstract), as appropriate
  8. Estimated number and type of Cornell students (undergraduate, graduate, professional) targeted by the proposal
  9. Budget and budget justification aligned directly with the budget categories in the online application form
Instructions

Proposals must be submitted using the online application form, and include the following information, within the space limits described on the form. Forms will differ slightly from the text below, depending on the nature of the funding request.

  1. Project title
  2. Name(s) of team member(s) and their unit(s)
  3. Signature endorsements from chair or supervisor
  4. Community partner(s) information, if applicable. Letter of collaboration is required.
  5. Succinct summary, to be shared publicly, describing the project context, public purpose and what the project team will be doing
  6. Short narrative that describes the overarching goals of the community-engaged learning activity, what you plan to do, how you plan to do it and potential next steps and/or outcomes. As is relevant to the request, include:
    • Description of the project, inclusive of community-identified need
    • Clearly identified community partner(s), their role and the benefit of the work to the partner(s)
    • Role of the student(s) and anticipated student learning outcomes and how you plan to assess these
    • How the project/initiative directly supports undergraduate community-engaged learning at Cornell, or creates the supportive environment for this learning to take place in the near future
    • Description of how the presentation advances the presenter’s discipline; promotes positive civic/social impact; and/or contributes to the field of community-engaged learning
    • Opportunities to sustain project beyond the grant period
  7. Additional project information (e.g., course prerequisites, project completion date, conference abstract), as appropriate
  8. Estimated number and type of Cornell students (undergraduate, graduate, professional) targeted by the proposal
  9. Budget and budget justification aligned directly with the budget categories in the online application form
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Toxic Inequality: Understanding Environmental Justice in America
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A Changing Island
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Community-Engaged Learning Theory in Local and Global Health
2018-19
Community College and School of Education Vietnam Video
2018-19
Community Veterinary Wellness Clinics
2018-19
Cornell Wind Symphony Community-Engaged Tour
2018-19
Employment and a Cornell Anchor Mission
2018-19
Feminist Directions: Performance, Power and Leadership
2018-19
Food Waste 101
2018-19
A Garden-based Case Study
2018-19
Harvest of Struggle
2018-19
A Home for Homeless Youth
2018-19
Improving Cooperative Business Education
2018-19
Language Access to Justice
2018-19
Prison Theatre and the Possibilities of Transformation Films
2018-19
Town of Dryden Wage and Compensation Study
2018-19
Vision Zero in Ithaca
2018-19
2Gen Summer Scholars Program
2017-18
Anti-Poverty Policy Assessment
2017-18
Bridging the Policy-Academia Divide
2017-18
Community Development and Empowerment Through Evaluation
2017-18
Community Driven Research and Social Impact Collaborative in Rural Uganda
2017-18
Course of Trade
2017-18
Equity Preservation: Sharing and Deepening Connections
2017-18
Evaluating the Parents Apart Program at the Tompkins County Jail
2017-18
Experiential Learning with Co-ops
2017-18
FOR Nepal: Building a Community Center Together
2017-18
A Hidden History
2017-18
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2017-18
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Rust to Green Binghamton Presentation
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2017-18
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2017-18
Strengthening Higher Education Program Approvals
2017-18
Balcón Criollo Ithaca
2016-17
Common Ground: Cornell and Ithaca Students Writing Together
2016-17
Cornell Sustainable Landscape Trail
2016-17
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CU Alumni of the Cornell Prison Education Program
2016-17
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2016-17
Exploring the Impact of National Housing, Work and Immigration Policies
2016-17
ILR Worker Institute Annual Labor Roundtable
2016-17
Our Farms, Our Stories: The Results
2016-17
Participatory Program Evaluation Plan for the Cornell Farmworker Program
2016-17
People Managing Pests
2016-17
Ripple Effect Mapping
2016-17
Root Maps: A Collaborative International Theatre Project
2016-17
Spreading Science Literacy with Science Cafés
2016-17
Supporting Global and Public Health Student Leadership
2016-17
The Rebirth of Living Latin
2016-17
2020-21
Building Hospitality Skills
Disability Policy and Practice in Barbados
Emergency and Disaster in Tompkins County
Ithaca Housing Hotline
MIRTH/Phoenix Players Cayuga Coming Home Project
Parole Preparation and Compassionate Release During the COVID-19 Crisis
Pro Se: Empowering Systems-Involved Youth through Speech and Debate
Real Time Reentry Realities
Remote Engaged Research for Robert H. Treman State Park
STORIES of TIDES
Unemployment Benefits Matter
2019-20
Archaeology and Tourism in Robert H. Treman State Park
Cornell Future Food Summit
Demystifying Artifacts
Food is Building/Building is Food
Implementing REDD+ in Peru
Learning by Leading
Roosevelt Island Community Roundtable
Sunrise Acres Senior Housing at Akwesasne
Toxic Inequality: Understanding Environmental Justice in America
2018-19
Building Awareness Around Adverse Childhood Experiences
A Changing Island
Community-Engaged Learning Theory in Local and Global Health
Community College and School of Education Vietnam Video
Community Veterinary Wellness Clinics
Cornell Wind Symphony Community-Engaged Tour
Employment and a Cornell Anchor Mission
Feminist Directions: Performance, Power and Leadership
Food Waste 101
A Garden-based Case Study
Harvest of Struggle
A Home for Homeless Youth
Improving Cooperative Business Education
Language Access to Justice
Prison Theatre and the Possibilities of Transformation Films
Town of Dryden Wage and Compensation Study
Vision Zero in Ithaca
2017-18
2Gen Summer Scholars Program
Anti-Poverty Policy Assessment
Bridging the Policy-Academia Divide
Community Development and Empowerment Through Evaluation
Community Driven Research and Social Impact Collaborative in Rural Uganda
Course of Trade
Equity Preservation: Sharing and Deepening Connections
Evaluating the Parents Apart Program at the Tompkins County Jail
Experiential Learning with Co-ops
FOR Nepal: Building a Community Center Together
A Hidden History
Indigenous Community Planning and Landscape Design
Local Government Fiscal Stress in New York State, Engaged Opportunity Grant
Promoting Community Resilience through School Programs in Rural Chile
Responding to Animals in Disasters Workshop
Rethinking Interdisciplinary Studies
Rust to Green Binghamton Presentation
Selling the Past in Modern-Day Greece
Social-Ecological Resilience in Design Studios
Strengthening Higher Education Program Approvals
2016-17
Balcón Criollo Ithaca
Common Ground: Cornell and Ithaca Students Writing Together
Cornell Sustainable Landscape Trail
Creating Age-Friendly Roman Neighborhoods, Engaged Opportunity Grant
CU Alumni of the Cornell Prison Education Program
Evaluating Local Impacts of Regional Food Systems Initiatives Workshop
Exploring the Impact of National Housing, Work and Immigration Policies
ILR Worker Institute Annual Labor Roundtable
Our Farms, Our Stories: The Results
Participatory Program Evaluation Plan for the Cornell Farmworker Program
People Managing Pests
Ripple Effect Mapping
Root Maps: A Collaborative International Theatre Project
Spreading Science Literacy with Science Cafés
Supporting Global and Public Health Student Leadership
The Rebirth of Living Latin
Einhorn Center for Community Engagement
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Cornell land acknowledgement

If you have a disability and are having trouble accessing information on this website or need materials in an alternate format, contact web-accessibility@cornell.edu for assistance.