CURA’s Community-Based Research Programs include three programs—Community Assistantship Program, Communiversity, and Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization—that provide graduate or undergraduate student assistance for community-based applied research projects, program planning and development, program evaluation, and other short-term projects. These programs share an application process, detailed below.
Application Deadlines
The CURA Community-Based Research Programs consider applications for applied research assistance three times a year. Proposals are due by the following dates for assistance during the time periods indicated:
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March 30 (Summer semester assistance—early June through August) |
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June 30 (Fall semester assistance—early September to mid-January) |
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October 30 (Spring semester assistance—mid-January through May) |
Eligibility Requirements
The following are the eligibility requirements for CURA’s Community-Based Research Programs:
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Community Assistantship Program (CAP)—community organizations and government agencies in greater Minnesota are eligible |
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Communiversity—nonprofit organizations in Minnesota are eligible, especially those that serve diverse communities |
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Neighborhood Planning for Community Revitalization (NPCR)— neighborhood organizations in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and metro-area suburbs are eligible if they
- represent a neighborhood area, defined either by city-designated boundaries or subjective boundaries that reflect cultural, emotional, or historical ties to an area;
- are governed by a board with the majority of the members selected from the community being served and open to all members of the community.
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All three programs provide graduate or undergraduate student assistance for applied research projects, program planning and development, program evaluation,* and other short-term projects. Student assistantships are generally 200 hours (10 hours per week) during spring or fall, and 260 hours (20 hours per week) during summer.
* NOTE: CURA does not support funder-required evaluations, and will not support evaluations for which other funding has already been provided.
Application Process
1. Complete a CURA Community-Based Research Programs Application Form for each research project you would like assistance with. Application forms are available in several formats:
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Online application (NOTE: This online form does not allow you to “save” a partially completed application. If you are not prepared to complete the application in one session, we suggest using the printable application form below.) |
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Printable application—Microsoft Word or rich-text format (RTF) |
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Request an application by mail—contact us at curacbr@tc.umn.edu or 612-625-0744 |
Submit hardcopy applications via U.S. mail, e-mail, or fax to:
Community-Based Research Programs
Center for Urban and Regional Affairs
330 HHH Center
301—19th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
E-mail: curacbr@tc.umn.edu
Fax: 612-626-0273
The CURA Community-Based Research Program directors can help you with your application. Feel free to contact the appropriate program director to discuss your potential project prior to submitting your application:
2. Your application will be reviewed by a committee from the appropriate CURA program. You will be notified as soon as possible of the committee’s decision regarding your application.
Successful Applications have clearly defined research questions which, if answered, will help the organization or group move toward sustainable community development goals. For more information on what makes a good research project, view the selection criteria that program committees use to evaluate applications.
3. If approved, a job description is developed by CURA, approved by the community organization, and posted online for students to see.
4. Students apply directly to the community organization.
5. The community organization chooses interview candidates from among those students who apply for the position. The organizationl is responsible for scheduling and conducting interviews, and selecting the candidate of its choice.
Online Application Form |
