Research Community Engagement Award (RCE)

Submission Deadline 31 Aug 2026               Awards Announced 30 Sept 2026

 

The American Genetic Association grants RCE Awards to AGA members for engaging with local communities.

 

Overview

Building meaningful relationships between scientists and the communities connected to their research is essential for trust, ethical research practice, and long-term collaboration. Research shows that distrust in science often stems from perceived institutional authority and inaccessible expertise (Yearly, 2000). In biodiversity genomics and related fields, strong partnerships with local and Indigenous communities are now recognized as critical—but are rarely provided dedicated funding sources through traditional research grants.

The Award for Researcher Community Engagement is a pilot program from the AGA to support the relational work that enables responsible science and development of trust in the broader scientific enterprise. Funding covers activities that strengthen trust, foster communication, and encourage more co-created understanding between researchers and the communities where they work, do research, plan to do research, or come from. We are particularly interested in proposals that will engage rural, under-resourced urban communities, Indigenous communities, or communities that do not have a long history of engagement with scientists.

Purpose

To provide financial support for community engagement activities that fall outside typical research funding, including extended stays, cultural participation, gift-giving (cash gifts not allowed), and other relationship-building expenses.

Eligible Applicants

AGA members at any career stage working in biological, ecological, or genomic sciences who demonstrate a commitment to ethical, culturally respectful engagement with a specific community.

Award Details

Funding Amount: Applicants may request up to $2,000 to be encumbered within 12 months of the award.

Apply here: https://www.theaga.org/rce-awards-form

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