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.
For more information about student civic engagement initiatives, check out our blog post on student advocacy or contact microgrants@researchamerica.org.
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 program provides training and hands-on experience for grantees in the areas of public policy, communications, community outreach, and program planning. At this juncture, having supported 65 microgrants over the past four years, it is beneficial to take a deep dive into the initiative
Read our new 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 are CLOSED for the Research!America 2022–2023 Civic Engagement Microgrant Program. Thank you to everyone who applied!
The Microgrant program provides funding for STEM graduate students, professional students (medical, dental, nursing, pharmacy, etc.), and postdocs who want to create projects aimed at building dialogue with public officials, community leaders, and local community members around issues of common interest. Ideas and programs support building policy and communication skills and increase their level of engagement with their communities, community leaders, and elected and non-elected government officials.
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.
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
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