Relationship Building Grant

CREATING WHOLE COMMUNITIES
RESEARCH FACULTY FELLOWSHIP

Relationship Building Grant

The Creating Whole Communities Faculty Fellowship research grants require that projects are focused on building strong place-based communities. Before submitting a proposal for the CWC research grants, you must check for project applicability. 

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Relationship Building Grant

APPLICATION DEADLINES
Phase I (abstract): Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Phase II (full proposal): Friday, June 26, 2026 at 5:00 pm

Please submit applications and questions to Tasnim Haq: tfhktb@umsl.edu

BACKGROUND, VALUES, AND PURPOSE
Creating Whole Communities (CWC) brings together the University of Missouri-St. Louis, University of Missouri Extension, and resident leaders around the state to focus on strengthening our communities. CWC grant opportunities intentionally connect University researchers and community partners in applied, community-based participatory research that contributes to evidence-based policy and practice in the field of community development.

Research conducted through the Creating Whole Communities Faculty Fellows Program will comprise of two grant opportunities: "Relationship Building" and "Research and Implementation." Both opportunities will require participation from faculty and community partners and will carry the aim to jointly pursue tangible community impact post-research.

RELATIONSHIP BUILDING GRANT
Faculty and community partners will engage in a relationship building process with the aim that this will lead to a trustworthy partnership, long-term collaboration, and achievement of community-desired goals. Through this process, both parties will explore interests, create an understanding of expectations, and identify mutual benefits and goals. Both parties are expected to participate in multiple relationship building strategies to build the relationship. Examples of these strategies are mentioned below.

CWC seeks to support strong partnerships between UMSL faculty and St. Louis communities for the benefit of community building practice and policy. Relationship-building grants will be given to partnerships focused on:

  • Community building and public policy issues in a particular neighborhood/municipality, and/or
  • Community building and public policy issues that could be applied more broadly to multiple neighborhoods

REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARDEES

  • Two or more relationship-building activities, such as:
    • Community meetings or dinner events
    • Community strategy sessions
    • Regularly scheduled conversations
    • Faculty/University opportunities to volunteer with community organization
  • Production of a reflection brief with a plan for moving forward, which could include joint development of a critical research question if applicable.

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES AND RESTRICTIONS

Eligibility and General Guidelines:

  • Eligible university applicants are a) full-time tenure-track, tenured faculty, non-tenured track faculty or b. UMSL Doctoral students who have completed all coursework except for dissertation research.
  • University applicants must have an identified community partner who agrees to collaborate on the requirements and goals of the grant.

Funding Guidelines:

  • The CWC Research Committee and Leadership Team will fund proposals up to $1,000. The Committee will consider the appropriateness of the budget and may recommend an award less than the requested amount.
  • Funds must be expended within six months of the allocation date. Awardees will receive allocation of funds in July 2026.
  • Sufficient detail of budget items must be provided to allow the committee to evaluate the appropriateness of the allocation. For example, please specify why specific software is needed and justify this if similar software is available through the university.
  • Equipment and supply purchases must conform to university guidelines (e.g. technology purchases must be approved by UMSL IT department, gift cards must be purchased through ShowME, etc.). CWC staff will work with fellows to ensure purchases comply with these guidelines.
  • Travel expenses must conform to the same regulations as all other university travel.  For information: View University Travel Policies.
  • Funds may be requested for research assistants, equipment, supplies, and summer salary support for faculty.
  • Funds will not be awarded for research leaves, sabbatical leaves, or for teaching buy-outs.
  • Faculty Fellow applicants may include support for postdoctoral associates.
  • The community portion of the funds may be used for a variety of purposes including compensation for time on the project.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION:

The proposal will be evaluated on the following:

  • Could this university-community relationship eventually grow into something with community development / place-based impact?
  • Would the proposed activity allow for meaningful relationship-building?

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS:

A one-page reflection brief will be required in addition to budget documentation. All final documents to Tasnim Haq: tfhktb@umsl.edu

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Phase I (abstract): Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Phase II (full proposal): Friday, June 26, 2026 at 5:00 pm

The Faculty Fellowship program requires two phases of submission for each grant.

PHASE I
The Phase I submission functions as an initial review to evaluate the applicability of the proposed project for the Faculty Fellows program. Applicants will be informed if their project aligns with the program criteria and can move forward with applying for the full proposal (Phase II). If there lacks alignment, applicants will receive feedback within 1-2 weeks to refine their proposal. Phase I entails submitting a concise abstract of no more than 250 words, outlining the project's key components for the Relationship Building Grant (see pages 3-5) and addressing all criteria listed in the project applicability checklist (see page 1-2).

The Phase I (abstract) submission must be emailed to Tasnim Haq at tfhktb@umsystem.edu, by Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

The Phase II directions will be sent upon approval of the Phase I abstract.