For this month’s CURA Story, we are excited to share our 2024 Annual Report showcasing the impactful work of the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs over the past year.

This year's report highlights 141 projects across Minnesota, including 77 faculty/graduate student research projects, 21 community-based research initiatives, and 43 technical assistance projects. Our work has connected 214 student participants with 151 community and government organizations across 14 research areas—from housing and public policy to racial equity and environmental justice.…

Neighborhoods Now! graduate Katrina Mendoza Garcia's story demonstrates how community leadership and organizing can transform individuals and communities

When Katrina Mendoza Garcia joined the board of the West Side Community Organization (WSCO) in 2018, she couldn’t have predicted how it would shape not only her future but the landscape of tenant rights in Saint Paul. Shortly after joining the board, she was selected to participate in Neighborhoods Now!, a project of CURA’s Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing (NLO) program. The program creates spaces where…

Next Deadline for Spring Projects: March 15

The Kris Nelson Community-Based Research Program builds the power and capacity of community-based organizations to create social change through partnerships with the University of Minnesota. We match the research and technical needs of organizations with student research assistants to carry out community-defined and community-guided projects. CURA works with organizations selected for the program to create shared understanding and action based on the results.

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Apply Today - Deadline April 18

Potential participants should fill out an application form. Because space is limited, we will contact you shortly after the application deadline to schedule an interview or confirm your enrollment.

Apply now for Neighborhoods Now!

Neighborhoods Now! Program Calendar

The course is May 12 - May 16, 2024 10:00am to 4:00pm…

The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota is looking for a skilled full-stack developer with a background in data science to create a web application that empowers communities, researchers, and advocates.

This tool will make it easier to understand rental property ownership, eviction patterns, and housing code violations in Minneapolis. By combining interactive maps and visualizations of ownership networks, it will shine a light on the connections between property owners and provide actionable insights to support housing equity and transparency.

What you’ll build:

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The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) is thrilled to announce that its Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing program and Neighborhoods Now! training have received the Unsung Hero Award from the National Community-Based Organization Network (NCBON). 

The Unsung Hero Award serves to highlight the often unheralded accomplishments of community leaders who work…

Register now!

It’s National Voter Registration Day and Get Out the Vote Season! Join the Minnesota Census and Democracy Partnership to learn about…

The Center for Urban and Regional Affairs is excited to announce that CURA’s Senior Research Associate Dr. Brittany Lewis has been named the 2024 President's Community-Engaged Scholar. 

The University of Minnesota President's Community-Engaged Scholar Award recognizes one faculty or P&A researcher annually for exemplary engaged scholarship. The award recipients have demonstrated a longstanding academic career that embodies the University of Minnesota’s definition of public engagement. The President…

• Also, CURA’s support of anti-displacement work receives the 2024 Kingsley Impact Award
• And other legislative and policy news from 2024

Housing advocates and place-based community organizations are celebrating a $10 million initial investment from the Minnesota State Legislature in funding the new Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity Program…