The Resilient Communities Project (RCP) is accepting proposals from local government agencies anywhere in Minnesota for 2025-2026 partnerships to address your community's research and technical assistance needs. Proposals must include a minimum of three discrete projects intended to advance community sustainability, equity, and resilience.
RCP partners with local government agencies to build resilience and spark positive change through the power of university research. Each year, we support projects that address a broad range of local issues and needs, involving any department or division in your agency, by:
- providing applied research and technical assistance from graduate and professional students and faculty at the University of Minnesota
- generating new ideas and perspectives on a challenging problem or new opportunity in your community
- bringing community voices and knowledge to the conversation
Cities, counties, tribal government agencies, special districts (e.g., watershed, transit, park, school), and regional development commissions and government agencies in Minnesota are eligible to apply. The selection process is competitive. Successful applicants must support the effort through dedicated staff time and a local financial contribution.
The deadline for proposals is April 15 for partnerships to begin fall academic term (September through December 2025).
More Information and How to Apply on the RCP website
**The Metropolitan Council offers matching funds to Twin Cities metro area municipalities and counties for projects aligned with their 2040 comprehensive plan.**
Meet With Us
- Do you have questions about the application process or program?
- Ideas for projects you would like feedback on?
Mike Greco
Mike Greco, AICP, is co-founder and director of the Resilient Communities Project (RCP), which provides research and technical assistance to communities in Minnesota to advance local sustainability and resilience.
Mike has a master of urban and regional planning degree from the University of Minnesota, with a specialization in environmental planning and sustainability. He also earned a master of arts degree in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and completed doctoral coursework in communication studies at the University of Illinois. Before joining CURA, Mike taught communication studies at the University of Minnesota and St. Olaf College, and worked as a freelance writer, editor, and public policy researcher. He serves on the Dakota County Planning Commission, as well as local and regional advisory committees on urban planning issues and sustainability.
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Stina Kielsmeier-Cook
Stina (she/her) is a mid-career graduate student in the Master of Public Affairs program at the U of MN where she is specializing in program evaluation. Stina’s previous roles have included managing a literary publication, producing a podcast, and helping new refugee families find affordable housing. She has a graduate diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies from the American University in Cairo and a B.A. in Political Science from Wheaton College. Stina loves libraries, public schools, and adventuring with her family in the woods.
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