Civic Science

Research!America seeks to empower early-career researchers to learn how to engage their communities in two-way dialogue about timely science and research issues.

The Civic Engagement Microgrant Program

A core component of our civic science work is the Civic Engagement Microgrant Program, supported by the Rita Allen Foundation.

The Microgrant program provides funding for STEM graduate students, professional students (medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, etc.), and postdocs who want to create projects that build policy, communications, and program management skills and are aimed at building dialogue with public officials, community leaders, and community members around issues of common interest.

Read our recent report on the impact Research!America’s Microgrant Program on Early Career Scientists. Contact Sophia Kaska, skaska@researchamerica.org, with questions or comments about the report.

Applications for the Research!America 2023–2024 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program are now open and are due on October 16, 2023, 11:59 pm local time.

At this juncture, we have supported 85 microgrants over the past five years. Read our report on the impact of Research!America’s Microgrant Program on Early Career Scientists. Contact Sophia Kaska, skaska@researchamerica.org, with questions or comments about the report.

Learn more about the Research!America Civic Engagement Microgrant Program for student and postdoc-led science policy groups and read about previous years’ projects.

2022-2023 Microgrant projects.

2021-2022 Microgrant projects.

2020-2021 Microgrant projects. 

2019-2020 Microgrant projects.

2018-2019 Microgrant projects.

For more information about student civic engagement initiatives, check out our blog post on student advocacy or contact microgrants@researchamerica.org.

Early Career Scientist Spotlights

To learn more about the work the early-career scientists are doing, check out these spotlights:

Neuroscience saved my life and gave me a vocation

Early Career Spotlight: Engaging the Next Generation of Health Professionals at The Ohio State University

Microgrant Spotlight: The Activist Lab at the University of South Florida College of Public Health

Making the Case for Research on Zoom: Report from a Successful Virtual Hill Day

Early Career Spotlight: Rutgers University Environmental Health Researcher Showcases the Experiences of Young People in a COVID-19 Pandemic Hotspot

Early Career Spotlight: Early Career Scientists at Michigan State University to Host Virtual SciComm Conference