Call for Applicants for the

2006-2007 City Fellows Program

In spring 2006 the University of Cincinnati will open the Center for the City, a portal for community organizations who wish to partner with the university. The center will stimulate the development of productive partnerships and encourage learning, scholarship and action on issues related to urban life.

With a goal of leading interaction between the university and the community, the center announces its first City Fellows program. City Fellowships will provide opportunities for UC faculty and staff and leaders in the larger community to delve more deeply into an issue or challenge facing the community or the university, to support active learning or scholarship on urban issues, or provide expertise to a project or program with an urban focus. UC-based City Fellows will work in the larger community and community-based City Fellows will spend time on UC’s campus.

University faculty and staff who are appointed City Fellows will have an active role in a community project or program with an apparent public benefit. The goal of public benefit can be achieved by working in partnership with established community organizations or by tackling a previously unaddressed community issue. Fellowships can be as short as a single academic quarter or as long as a year.

Community members who are appointed City Fellows will enrich the campus experience—the academic process, student service, or research—with expertise related to urban life or social issues. The fellowship could address a specific problem or objective of the university. City Fellows can also assist the university with achieving the stated goal of UC|21 to forge key relationships and partnerships with the community that provide benefits to the community as a whole.

The number of fellows appointed in year one will be determined by the number of proposals received and the budgets required for implementation. Funds requested should support unrecoverable costs for the fellowship. The pool of funds available for FY 2007 is $20,000 and we hope to appoint at least three fellows.

Eligibility:

Full-time faculty and staff with an identified community partner(s) are eligible to apply for a City Fellowship to serve the community. Community leaders who are employed by a non-profit organization or a business in greater Cincinnati, and who have expertise related to urban life or social issues, are eligible to apply for a City Fellowship to serve the university.

Criteria for Selection:

The following criteria will be applied in evaluating the merits of a proposal:

1. The proposal identifies a community or university need that is relevant to the urban-focused mission of the Center for the City.
2. The nominated fellow has prior experience in university/community collaboration.
3. The proposal has a clearly stated, measurable outcome or deliverable.
4. For UC faculty and staff: The proposal has a clearly identified community partner(s) which will “house” the fellow for the duration of the fellowship.
5. For community leaders: The proposal has a clearly identified UC partner who will  support the fellowship internally.
6. The proposal provides evidence that the fellowship is supportive of the goals of UC|21.
7. Proposals that have in-kind contributions or departmental matches will be given priority in the selection process.

Awards:

Award amounts will vary depending upon the fellowship costs. Maximum funding for any fellow is capped at $10,000. Proposals with matching funds from the department, college, or community partner are encouraged.

Application Guidelines:

Proposals should include the following:

1. A C.V. or resume for the proposed fellow and a brief summary of the applicant’s experience in community collaboration.
2. A description of the community/university setting in which the fellowship will reside.
3. For UC applicants: A letter of support from the community partner(s) signed by the highest ranking officer in the organization.
4. For community applicants: A letter of support from the head of the unit(s) with  which the fellow will work.
5. A statement of the problem or project to be addressed.
6. A statement of the intended goals of the fellowship.
7. The timeframe for the fellowship.
8. The specific outcomes or deliverables to be presented at the end of the fellowship. (Fellows will participate in a public forum to present their projects.)
9. The method for evaluation the public benefit of the fellowship.
10. The relationship of the fellowship to UC|21 goals and values.

Applications should be delivered to the Center for the City, Suite 610 University Pavilion, no later than June 16, 2006 or sent to cfc@uc.edu.

Call for Seed Grant Proposals

In May 2006, the University of Cincinnati opened the Center for the City, a portal to partnerships for community organizations wishing to engage with university faculty, staff, and students. The center’s mission is to be

 . . .  a window of opportunity for the community and for UC students, faculty, and staff who wish to engage in community interaction and participate in innovative, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2006-07 Seed Grant Program of UC’s Center for the City. The Center is actively seeking proposals that will help it achieve its primary goals:

• Facilitate innovative, productive partnerships that leverage university and community expertise and resources to public benefit;
• Support the development of service learning and volunteerism among UC faculty, staff, and students;
• Encourage research, scholarship and action on significant issues related to urban life
• Achieve the classification of a “community engaged institution” from the Carnegie Foundation.
• Recognize, celebrate, and communicate the impact of this work on the quality of life in our region.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Seed Grant program is to support projects which fulfill the mission and goals of the Center for the City. Projects should focus on projects, research, or scholarship which pertain specifically to urban life and active partnerships between university students, faculty and staff and community representatives. Examples might include UC students, faculty or staff focusing on a particular community problem that could be addressed through a partnership with a community organization. Ideally, the project timeline should be completed or show significant progress in the year of funding.   

Eligibility:

All full-time faculty and staff are eligible to apply for a Seed Grant. Applications from the community are welcome when there is a clear collaboration with UC . Student groups may apply through faculty or staff advisors on the project.

Criteria for Selection:

The following criteria will be applied in evaluating the merits of a proposal:

1. The proposal identifies a community need that is relevant to the goals of the Center for the City.
2. The proposal has a plan for action that demonstrates the ability to make a significant difference.
3. The proposal shows a path of substantial progress during the life of the grant.
4. There is evidence of a UC/Community partnership as demonstrated by:
   1. Community involvement in the actual development and implementation of the proposal
   2. Defined roles for both university and community partners
5. The proposal is outcomes based, with clear assessment, dissemination of key learnings and deliverables.
6. The proposal should provide evidence that the project will lead to a next step beyond the period of the grant.
7. The proposal should reflect the goals and values of UC|21.

Awards:

The current awards pool for 2006-07 is $15,000, but more funds may be available prior to awards being given. The maximum amount that can be requested in a single proposal is $5,000. Faculty and staff are encouraged to seek out matching funds or in-kind contributions from their department, college or division.

Application Guidelines:

Proposals should include the following:

• Background the principal investigator.
• List of community or university partners, by name of primary contact and organization or department.
• A statement of the problem or issues to be addressed (1-2 paragraphs).
• A statement of the intended goals of the project.
• A detailed description of the intended proposal with attention to the issues raised in the selection criteria above (1 page)
• Assessment criteria, deliverables, and proposed project outcomes.
• Relationship to UC|21 goals and values.

Applications should be delivered to the Center for the City, Suite 610 University Pavilion, no later than June 16, 2006.