The University of Washington has a vision to model democracy in action by cultivating collaborative decision-making, respectful dialogue, civic engagement and belonging. In support of that vision, this initiative is pleased to offer a Catalyst Fund that awards small grants to encourage the development of new research innovations for activities and projects that seek to revitalize civic health and bolster democratic institutions across the country.
Innovations proposed for funding to this grants program must align with one or more of the pillars of this initiative:
- Preparing tomorrow’s civic-minded leaders
- Renovating and strengthening public institutions
- Clearing the paths to civic participation
The purpose of this grant is to support faculty members and PI-eligible research staff to develop preliminary data or proof-of-concept needed to pursue follow-on funding or additional concept development to scale one’s efforts. Research projects should seek to catalyze new lines of inquiry and may include, but not be limited to, qualitative or qualitative empirical work, data analysis, evidence synthesis, comparative study, and so forth.
Awards of up to $25,000 per project will be available with a project period of up to 12 months.
This application is open to faculty members and PI-eligible research scientists from all three University of Washington campuses (Bothell, Seattle, Tacoma). Projects will be accepted from single PI or multiple-PI teams. We also strongly encourage applicants to engage community-based partners as PIs and co-PIs for these grants.
Applications must represent a new project, innovation or research direction for each of the PIs. The proposed project should provide preliminary data or proof-of-concept needed to seek outside funding and support. Grant applications should not be an extension of well-established, ongoing or recently funded studies or projects. Small grant applications should not be used to bridge funding for existing work.
If awarded, applicants will be invited to showcase their work- and learnings-to-date at a mid-year gathering of awardees. A final report detailing project accomplishments and final budget reconciliation will be due within 60 calendar days following the end of the funding period.
The timeline for this funding opportunity is:
- Application Due: Thursday, May 1, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Pacific)
- Award Notification Made: early June, 2025
- Period of Performance: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026
Awards of up to $25,000 in total expenses per project are available. School, college and/or departmental matching funds are encouraged but not required. Matching funds can take the form of either discretionary/non-discretionary monies or in-kind support. Other sponsored research projects cannot be counted as matching funds.
Funds will be disbursed to the department of the lead UW co-investigator for day-to-day administration.
Allowed expenses include:
- Personnel (i.e., salaries and benefits for faculty and students as well as staff at the UW or a community-based organization)
- Equipment, software, materials, supplies and/or participant incentives
- Travel, including airfare, transportation, and per diem (lodging, meals and expenses)
- Tuition for graduate students
- Other direct costs related to the project (must detail the expense and include rationale)
Unallowable expenses include:
- Indirect/overhead costs
- Patent cost
- Office supplies
- Administrative support
- Receptions (e.g., alcohol, catering)
- Marketing efforts
All allowable expenses must adhere to applicable University of Washington policies. Please contact your department’s finance lead with questions regarding such expenses. In addition, an Office of Sponsored Programs review is not needed prior to submitting an application.
Successful small grant applications should:
- Demonstrate how the proposed project will position the project team to secure preliminary data or proof-of-concept.
- Propose a framework, methods, approach and analyses that are adequate and appropriate to the aims of the project.
- Propose a project that is feasible within the 12-month limit.
- Detail an assessment plan that clearly describes the outcome the project team is seeking and how it will be used to pursue additional funding or concept development (i.e., the measure of a successful project).
These grant applications are encouraged, but not required, to include the following:
- Partial or full funding match (in funds or in kind) from the Co-PIs’ schools/colleges/departments.
- Propose a community-engaged research project.
A panel of judges affiliated with the Civic Health Initiative will review and score all applications, and will, if needed, consult with appropriate subject matter experts as part of the evaluation process. Awards will be granted to the highest-scoring applications. Applications that include matching funds will receive priority in the event that two proposals receive the same review score.
Applications must meet the following standards:
- Submitted as a single PDF file
- Paper size no larger than standard letter (i.e., 8 ½” x 11”)
- Margins of at least 0.5 inch (top, bottom, left and right)
- Single-spaced
- Eleven-point font or larger using either Arial, Calibri or Times New Roman
- Smaller text in figures, graphs, diagrams and charts is acceptable as long as it is legible when the page is viewed at 100%
- We do not require a specific citation format
Each application must contain the following sections:
- Completed cover sheet (project title, total budget, applicant names).
- Abstract (250 word maximum).
- Research Plan (one page, including tables and visuals but excluding references).
- Assessment plan, project timeline, and brief biographies for all investigators (total limit of one page for all three of these items).
- Budget and budget justification (one-page limit).
- Please provide verification of matching funds if a cost share is proposed. A .pdf of an email from the individual making the commitment is sufficient.
- Letters of support are not required but will be accepted. Limit of two.
Applications for the spring 2025 funding call can be submitted beginning on April 1, 2025. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. (Pacific) on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
The application must be submitted as a single .pdf file through the following online submission portal.
Review by the Office of Sponsored Programs is not needed.
Please contact us with any questions regarding this research award or the application process.