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2025-2026 Microgrant Recipients

A Logo reading "civic science" in navy blue.

Research!America, with support from the Lasker Foundation, the Dana Foundation, the Rita Allen Foundation, and science communicator Dennis Mangan, has awarded microgrants of up to $4,000 to 17 groups led by students in master’s, Ph.D., postdoc, and professional programs. These microgrants will allow students to initiate civic engagement and educational outreach activities in their communities.

The 2025-2026 Research!America Civic Engagement Microgrant recipients are organizations offering innovative programs for early career researchers to build communication skills and increase their level of engagement with their communities, community leaders, and elected and non-elected government officials.

Read on to learn about the 2025-2026 recipients.

Together for Warmth  

Together for Warmth at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health will lead a community-centered initiative to address energy insecurity among older Chinese immigrants in New York City. Through an in-person community event featuring bilingual presentations and small-group discussions, the project will connect seniors with essential energy assistance programs and share insights into how energy insecurity impacts brain health and overall well-being. By centering the lived experiences of immigrant elders and providing linguistically accessible resources, the initiative seeks to reduce informational barriers and empower groups often not included in science communication.

Logo for Panther Immunization & Trust Taskforce features "PITT" in blue, with a yellow paw as the "I" dot and a syringe forming the "I." Text below is in blue.The Panther Immunization and Trust Taskforce (PITT) 

The Panther Immunization & Trust Taskforce (PITT) at the University of Pittsburgh will launch a community-centered initiative to address vaccine hesitancy and improve health literacy among older adults through partnership with Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center and University of Pittsburgh Vaccination & Health Connection Hub. The project will deploy interprofessional teams of health science students to senior living communities to provide accurate, accessible vaccine education. By developing a reusable educational toolkit and facilitating direct dialogue between students and community members, the initiative aims to build trust, combat misinformation, and empower older adults to make informed decisions about their health. 

Circular logo reading “Brown for Science Diplomacy” around the border. Inside the circle are three stylized test tubes beneath a simple red roof shape, suggesting a building or institution. On either side of the central graphic are the words “EST.” and “2025” separated by small red dots. The design uses muted green, red, and brown tones on a dark background.Brown for Science Diplomacy  

Brown for Science Diplomacy at Brown University seeks to bridge the gap between researchers and the Providence community through in-person and digital programing educating graduate students on science policy, a series of mutual aid civic science initiatives, and a science communication podcast illustrating how science impacts our everyday lives. Brown for Science Diplomacy will host a workshop series focused on building graduate students’ understanding of science policy careers which will culminate with a panel conversation with Rhode Island senatorial candidates. Through a “Borrow a Scientist” event at the Providence Public Library and mutual aid projects, including blood drives, the project aims to provide a platform for graduate students across fields to understand the values of civic science. Students will also develop science communication and podcasting skills through conversations with both local researchers and policymakers in a podcast series. By partnering with local community groups, including the Red Cross, the Latinx Graduate Collective at Brown, and United Way, the initiative will foster a sustainable culture of civic science and provide hands-on science communication training for early career scientists.  

Two black silhouettes of fists raise a red ribbon with a white cross, set against a split blue and yellow background within a circular border.ChampionSTL: HIV Prevention Champions in St. Louis

ChampionSTL: HIV Prevention Champions in St. Louis at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Public Health will pilot a youth-led initiative to improve HIV prevention science communication among high-risk, low-income young men (18 to 24). Through interactive workshops and mentored peer-led strategies, the project empowers young adults as “science peer champions” to translate complex health research into trustworthy information through peer-to-peer communication. In partnership with the Community Wellness Project, the initiative seeks to empower those with lived experiences to bridge the gap between scientific institutions and populations often overlooked by traditional public health messaging. 

Diver and sea creatures, "Dreams of a Scientist" text centered. Surrounded by orange kelp, conveying exploration and discovery underwater.Dreams of a Scientist  

Dreams of a Scientist led by collaborators from the University of Oregon and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill will implement a community-centered initiative to foster connections between the public and their local scientists in Eugene, Oregon. The multifaceted project includes an interactive science expo “BioBlitz” event, dialogues between indigenous knowledge holders and community members, and the development of an educational marine and ecological science inspired tabletop game. The BioBlitzes will be co-led by scientists and those who work and live on the land to guide participants in conversations about local biodiversity, ecological change, and the importance of community-generated data. Icebound Investigators, the tabletop game, will remove physical and financial barriers to field science participation by allowing players to walk-through scenarios based on experiences of researchers and Indigenous community members in the Arctic. By creating inclusive spaces for informal science education through gamification and dialogue, the project seeks to empower participants to engage as citizen scientists and bridge diverse research backgrounds to demonstrate how science contributes to community strength, resilience, and well-being. 

A logo in a honeycomb shape in varying shades of green, invoking organic chemistry. Below is "ESAL" in dark green, a line in the same color, and then "Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally"Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally (ESAL) 

Engineers & Scientists Acting Locally at Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame will lead a nonpartisan visit to the Indiana State Capitol to bridge the gap between early-career researchers and state policymakers. Prior to the hill day, they will host a virtual civic engagement workshop providing skill building on how to approach science communication with a state legislator audience for STEM students, undergraduate to postdoc. The project will train a cohort of graduate students and postdocs, selected from the virtual workshop, to communicate their expertise directly to state legislators and staff. By creating structured opportunities for Indiana scientists and policymakers to meet and build ongoing relationships, the initiative seeks to build scalable civic science infrastructure in Indiana and establish respectful, two-way conversations so that policymakers know where to turn for science-informed perspectives. 

Graduate Researchers Advancing Policy, Health and Science (GRAPHS)  

Graduate Researchers Advancing Policy, Health, and Science (GRAPHS) at Yale University is a MD and PhD led science communication symposium aiming to prepare graduate and health professional trainees to better communicate their science, combat widespread misinformation, and advocate for research funding. The full-day science communication symposium will include a keynote speaker panel of science policy, public health,and communication experts. This will be accompanied by specific skill-builder workshops on public engagement, science communication, and training on how to describe research findings to non-expert audiences. The project aims to equip students with practical skills and advocacy tools necessary to engage in science policy communication on local, state, and federal levels. By fostering a network of researchers committed to ongoing outreach, the initiative seeks to fill a critical gap in STEM training and ensure that scientific information remains clear and accessible for the public and policymakers. 

Neighborhood Scientists  

The Neighborhood Scientists at the University of Chicago and Howard University will lead a community-driven initiative to address scientific mistrust and environmental health concerns in Chicago’s Altgeld Gardens neighborhood, a predominantly Black community that faces disproportionate exposure to pollution and elevated cancer rates compared to the rest of the city. Through a collaborative co-creation process, the project brings together researchers, a humor specialist, and grassroots organizations to develop a humor-based educational forum and expert panel focused on environmental health, genetics, cancer outcomes, and health disparities research. By pairing multidisciplinary experts with residents in the neighborhood who are disproportionately affected by industrial pollution, the initiative seeks to build sustainable partnerships between scientists and community members while empowering local citizens to leverage scientific research for policy change. 

Minimalist illustration of a hand outlined in red holding a detailed, light-colored brain in its palm. A thin red circle surrounds the brain and hand, all set against a black background. Text on top says "Wild, West, Well" with "m2aenad.app" around the circle. The bottom reads "Maternal to Adolescent Eating, Nutrition, And Development Lab."Maternal to Adolescent Eating, Nutrition and Development Lab  

The Maternal to Adolescent Eating, Nutrition and Development Lab at the University of Wyoming will lead a workshop on nutrition and food security policy to uplift the lived experiences of Wyomingites and explore public health policy. Through a facilitated workshop featuring panels, small breakout sessions, and reflection opportunities, a summary document synthesizing the priority themes uplifted in the conversations will be made and shared with local, county, and state leaders to bolster community informed policymaking. These efforts are designed to bridge the gap between researchers, anti-hunger organizations, and policymakers.

UCSF Anatomy Learning Center Open Lab (ALCOL)

The UCSF Anatomy Learning Center Open Lab will help high school and middle school educators from local Bay Area communities learn from healthcare professionals, flipping their traditional role in the student-teacher paradigm. During the day-long event, educators will watch demonstrations and work with specimens, gaining hands-on science experience. Educators are essential for building the foundation for our next generation of scientists, and ALCOL provides them with opportunities to incorporate new experiences and renewed enthusiasm for science into their pedagogy. Through these connections, ALCOL amplifies its impact, enabling educators to bring their experiences back to their classrooms and influence countless numbers of students in their communities.

TriAxis Community Engagement Collective Logo for TriAxis Community Engagement Collective. The design features the word “TriAxis” in bold black text above “Community Engagement Collective” in teal. To the left is a stylized three-pronged graphic with orange, gray, and teal lines radiating from a vertical teal bar, all enclosed within a thin yellow oval border on a light background.

The TriAxis Community Engagement Collective (TCEC) at Arkansas Baptist College and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences will lead a multi-institution initiative to address chronic disease prevalence and health literacy in Central Arkansas by engaging community members through a community health expo. The health expo will provide a range of activities for attendees to engage with including healthy meal demonstrations using local produce, “Meet the Grower” tables with local gardens and small farmers, preventive health resources and screening tables, and research-based education on conditions like diabetes and hypertension alongside practical nutrition solutions. The expo will also showcase affordable local produce to encourage participants to implement the lessons they learn at the expo into their everyday routine. By partnering with local growers, neighborhood gardens, the Arkansas Minority Health Commission, and Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, the initiative seeks to bridge the gaps between health literacy, science communication, and everyday decision making through culturally relevant demonstrations and accessible health screenings.  

Science Policy Advocacy Network at UAB

The Science Policy Advocacy Network at the University of Alabama, Birmingham will organize a Science Expo at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery through partnerships with the American Cancer Society and universities across Alabama, including Alabama State University and Auburn University, to amplify student scientist voices, build interdisciplinary dialogue, and create sustainable connections between policymakers and researchers. The Science Expo aims to gather community members, students, professors, cancer and health policy advocates, and state legislators from across Alabama to engage in dialogues centered on cancer and cancer-adjacent research during poster sessions, oral presentations, and experimental demos.   

The next five efforts are neuroscience-related and funded by the Dana Foundation: 

Neuroscience Community Outreach Group  

The Neuroscience Community Outreach Group (NCOG) at the University of Washington will lead an educational outreach initiative to promote public awareness and understanding of neuroscience and science careers among local high school students. Through a Brain Awareness Week Open House and in-classroom outreach visits, the project seeks to demystify STEM careers and give Seattle public school students direct, approachable access to scientists. The project will host gamified-science outreach initiatives, such as a “Price is Right” formatted game that will provide participants with an introduction to research funding. The project prioritizes reaching underrepresented and historically marginalized students from underfunded schools, making neuroscience approachable and inspiring curiosity in non-traditional STEM careers, such as industry, ethics, or the legal field. 

Graphic showing a balance scale with a stylized brain on the left side and a barred jail cell with a keyhole on the right, symbolizing a comparison between understanding and punishment. A gold microscope appears beside the scale, reinforcing a scientific perspective. Below the image, bold text reads “BRAINS NOT BLAME,” with the word “BRAINS” in gold and “NOT BLAME” in black. Smaller text underneath reads “Science Informed Approaches to Substance Use.”Brains, Not Bars: Reframing Addiction Through Science and Story  

Brains, Not Bars: Reframing Addiction Through Science and Story at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine will lead an educational initiative to reduce drug-related recidivism by shifting criminal-legal responses from punishment toward treatment. Through a seminar series and community dialogues, the project engages local criminal justice officials alongside community members with lived experience to humanize substance use disorders as treatable, brain-based medical conditions. By combining accessible neuroscience education with collaborative action planning, the program seeks to build science-informed perspectives and establish pilot agreements for peer-led recovery meetings within local jails. 

Science Outside the Lines  

Science Outside the Lines at Johns Hopkins University will lead a neuroscience-focused educational initiative to spark early interest in STEM among elementary students in Baltimore. Through an eight-week afterschool program, the project combines hands-on experiments with creative art projects to explore topics like brain protection, sensory systems, and memory with local elementary school students. By pairing Johns Hopkins mentors with students in an under-resourced setting, the initiative seeks to build foundational scientific skills and confidence while making complex concepts approachable for young learners and their families. 

Northern Nevada Brain Bee

The Northern Nevada Brain Bee at the University of Nevada, Reno will lead a neuroscience-focused initiative to inspire curiosity in high school students from rural and underserved communities about brain science and increase public awareness of neuroscience careers. In partnership with the Discovery Museum, a local Reno science museum, the project will host two days of public programing to celebrate Brain Awareness Week. The first day of programming will include a public-facing neuroscience resource fair and Northern Nevada Brain Bee competition, a brain trivia competition that promotes the idea that neuroscience is inclusive, fun, and accessible regardless of one’s background. The second day will continue the resources fair with research demonstrations and hands-on brain activities, including an anatomy table with a guided exploration of preserved human brain specimens. The initiative seeks to demystify STEM professions for potential future researchers and make complex scientific concepts accessible for rural and low-income communities often left out of science communication outreach. By providing mentorship and networking opportunities with university experts, the initiative aims to empower learners from often under-funded localities while fostering a deeper community ofappreciation for the impact of neuroscience on society. 

Graphic for Weill Cornell Medicine Brain Day featuring a stylized red-and-white brain illustration at the center. The words “Weill Cornell Medicine” curve above the brain and “Brain Day” appears below. Two small neuron illustrations flank the brain on the left and right.WCGS Brain Awareness Day  

WCGS Brain Awareness Day at Weill Cornell Graduate School is a science outreach event aimed at fostering interest in neuroscience among elementary school students across three schools in New York City. Through an interactive open house and expanded classroom visits, the project provides students with hands-on learning experiences, such as handling real brain specimens and participating in sensory experiments. The students will learn basic neuroscience concepts, including learning and memory, sensation, brain structure and function, and reaction time vs reflexes. For example, to learn about neural morphology students will participate in a “buildyour own neuron” using pipe cleaners. By connecting young learners with graduate student mentors, the initiative seeks to make high-level science approachable and inspire students from diverse backgrounds to envision themselves in future STEM careers. 

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