The Office of Research Development (ORD) at UMass Lowell (UML) is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity that strengthens the university’s commitment to public service by supporting projects that create new knowledge, approaches, and practices that address regional challenges through collaborative efforts. Funded by The Public Service Endowment, the Community-Engaged Research and Scholarship Fund supports the creation and sustenance of strong, mutually beneficial relationships with the greater Lowell community by supporting work that addresses an urgent problem, need, or opportunity identified and agreed upon by the community, community partners, and UMass Lowell researchers and scholars.

Objectives

  • Capacity Building: Projects must strengthen community capacity and relationships between the university and community partners.
    • Proposals may also include interdisciplinary approaches and/or foster student engagement experiences.
  • Collaborative Approach: Projects must involve significant collaboration between UMass Lowell faculty and community partners. Projects must provide mutual benefit to each collaborative institution and their constituents. All stages of the project including design, implementation, and evaluation must be driven by community input and need.
    • Partnerships may be new, developing, or existing.
  • Community Impact: Projects must address urgent or overlooked social, economic, environmental, or cultural issues. Projects must produce tangible, measurable outcomes.
  • Sustainability: Project must include plans to maintain relationships with partners and identify long-term goals and potential support for the collaboration after the award period.

Anticipated Funding Amount

The Office of Research Development has allocated $20,000 per fiscal year for this program and plans to fund 2-3 projects of up to $10,000 each.

Proposal Deadline and Process

The Office of Research Development is not currently accepting proposals. We anticipate announcing the next call for proposals in Fall 2025.

Eligibility

  • UML tenured and tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply.
  • Proposals must include at least one community partner, including non-profits, governmental agencies, schools, or other community-based entities.
  • Proposals are highly encouraged to address issues related to the greater Lowell region. All funded projects are expected to be based in Massachusetts.

Guidelines

  • Review the guidelines for all ORD-sponsored funding
  • Funds are awarded for an 18-month period (usually Jan. 1 – June 30 the following year).
  • Applicants may not request more than $10,000 for their project.
  • Funds must not be used for summer salary or other additional compensation for faculty 
  • Funds must not be used to fund Research Assistants/tuition waivers (funds may support student hourly wages) 

General Timeline

  • September – Announcement of call for proposals 
  • November - Proposal deadline
  • November/December - Proposal review 
  • December – Notification of decision to applicants 
  • January – Disbursement of funds (18-month award period)