New Community Science Engagement Funding

A little "Financial Friday" lead for all of those in our network passionate about the intersection of engagement work and community science. Our friends at the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) are currently offering three funding opportunities: ASTC-sponsored Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellowships, Partnership Planning Seed Grants, and Project Implementation Grants. We encourage you to check these out and share with your relevant networks! Learn more in the post below and find the original information on ASTC's site here.

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Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC)​ 2023 Funding Opportunities

​In 2023, ASTC’s Community Science Initiative will provide direct support through three opportunities that each provide funding alongside professional development, networking, and strategic support for community science initiatives. Designed to support and scale a diversity of community science projects at different stages of development, each award has unique goals, requirements, and timelines. Briefly, the three opportunities are:

1. ASTC-sponsored Thriving Earth Exchange Community Science Fellowships: A 12-month fellowship–starting either in spring or summer 2023–that supports individual professionals at ASTC member institutions who manage (or are interested in fostering) community science projects. Fellows will receive personalized strategic support and foundational training in planning and managing community science efforts. Individuals best suited to apply will have an existing community partner and a topic to address collaboratively. Up to $5,000 in funding is available to fellows after completing the initial virtual training to support a wide range of project needs.
2. Partnership Planning Seed Grants: A six-month program beginning February 2023 designed for new or emerging collaborations between ASTC member institutions and community-based partners looking to deepen their relationship to advance local priorities. Partnerships should be in early stages of development, working to establish trust, identify shared goals, and design an actionable community science project. Grant recipients will receive $8,000, strategic training, and resources to develop a community science project action plan that could position them for other funding opportunities. Recipients will attend monthly calls with other teams and independently complete related assignments.
3. Project Implementation Grants: A 12-month opportunity launching in late 2023 for established partnerships between ASTC member institutions and community partners with well-formed and co-developed ideas for a community science project. Teams will receive up to $25,000 each to implement their project in addition to travel support to attend the program kickoff during ASTC’s annual conference. Applications are welcome from any ASTC members; past recipients of Partnership Planning Seed Grants will likely be well positioned to apply.

CLICK HERE to watch our recorded webinar for an overview of the 2023 funding opportunities and Q&A session with our participants. 

More information on the grants can be found at www.communityscience.astc.org/2023-funding-opportunities/.