HBCU SCI Community Research Fellowships

Grant application priority deadline – December 20, 2024

Research Fellows Program

The HBCU SCI Community Research Fellowships provides a platform for college undergraduates to contribute to real-world solutions for pressing sustainability challenges. The program cultivates the next generation of leaders dedicated to creating a more sustainable future by promoting collaboration, critical thinking, and community engagement.

Meet Our 2024 Research Fellows

Apply for a Community Research Grant

Program Summary: Faculty Mentors will engage college undergraduates in meaningful research projects that engage community stakeholders and seek to find solutions for local sustainability challenges.

Program Objectives:

Foster a deeper understanding of sustainability issues among college undergraduates.
Encourage community engagement and collaboration through research.
Promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills development.
Contribute to actionable solutions for community development.
Increase awareness of sustainability issues to a broad audience.
Develop a network of faculty and students focused on sustainability issues.

Apply for a Community Research Grant.

Research Team Eligibility Guidelines

To qualify, research teams need to be led by faculty mentors who are employed by HBCUs in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Virginia, as well as PBIs in Illinois. Each team should consist of 3 to 5 undergraduate students attending HBCUs or PBIs in these states.

For a detailed understanding of the program and its requirements, please refer to the HBCU SCI Community Research Program overview.

How to Apply

Faculty members interested in leading an HBCU SCI Research Team and applying for a HBCU SCI Community Research Grant must submit their applications by November 4, 2024.

Click the arrow to review the items listed to upload to your application OR download the application instructions.
Statement of interest explaining your motivation for being a mentor, relevant expertise, and commitment to community-based research and student mentorship. (One page maximum)

Curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting relevant experience.

Research Proposal (Three pages maximum)

Tentative title of project

Overview: Provide an overview of the research topic and its relevance to the community.

Indicate prospective community partners or organizations that your team will engage throughout the project.

Research Objectives and Research Questions: Clearly state the main research objectives and specific research questions that the project aims to address.

Methodology: Describe the research design, approach, and methods that will be used to achieve the research objectives.

Community Engagement and Collaboration: Detail how the community partners or stakeholders will be involved in the research process.

Describe the roles and responsibilities of the college undergraduates who will serve as Research Fellows on your team.

Timeline: Provide a realistic timeline that outlines the major stages of the research project.

Expected Outcomes and Impact: State anticipated outcomes, findings, or contributions that the research project aims to achieve.

Explain how the research outcomes will benefit the community, advance knowledge, or inform policy/practice.

Mentorship and Training: Describe the mentorship and training that will be provided to college undergraduates, including how they will be guided through the research process.

Evaluation and Assessment: Describe the methods for tracking progress and measuring the achievement of research objectives.

Dissemination Plan: Explain how the research findings will be communicated to the community, academic audiences, and other relevant stakeholders (in addition to the Washington DC Social Justice Summit)\

Program Budget (Use the Community Research Grant Budget Template)

Signature of Authorized Organizational Representative (Use the AOR Approval Form)

Download Budget Template (XLS)

Download AOR Approval Form (PDF)

Community Research Grant Application

Download Grant Application Instructions (PDF)

Community Research Outcomes

HBCU SCI Community Research Teams collaborate with local organizations and businesses to identify project opportunities.
Research teams address real needs and provide valuable solutions to the community.
At the end of the semester, HBCU SCI Community Research Fellows have the opportunity to present their research findings in Washington, D.C. at an environmental justice summit, and may be eligible to have their research published in an academic journal.

For questions and guidance, please contact Dr. Berneece Herbert, HBCU SCI Research Fellowships Faculty Liaison, at [email protected] or Dr. Kelly Owens at INROADS at [email protected]