Ohio State Engages December 2025 Newsletter

Colleagues,

We wish to thank everyone who joined us for our inaugural community partnership breakfast on Nov. 21. A special thank you to the more than 50 community partners and 80 university stakeholders who joined us for a morning of networking and learning. Congratulations to the graduate students who were selected to present their scholarship in our annual poster competition. Our judges and attendees were impressed by your commitment to community engagement and the societal impact of your scholarship.

This months newsletter includes a variety of opportunities for our engaged scholars, practitioners and students. Our award program nomination window is still open, so if you are considering nominating a colleague or yourself, please submit your nominations by Dec. 19.

Our faculty/staff and graduate student seed grant calls for proposals have been officially announced, and we are pleased to share additional funding opportunities as well. If you are interested in funding opportunities in 2025, we will host a virtual grant information session with our colleagues in service-learning on Jan. 12.

As the autumn semester draws to a close, we wish you a wonderful holiday break and start to the new year!

Sincerely,

Jason Reece
Vice Provost for Engaged Scholarship and
Community Engagement
Office of Academic Affairs

Call for Proposals: Engaged Scholarship Seed Grants

The Office of Outreach and Engagement has released a call for proposals for seed grants to support community-engaged research or community-engaged projects, in collaboration with a community partner, that address a specific need or problem within the community. Grants will be awarded a maximum amount of $10,000. Applications are due Feb. 15, 2026. You can also register for an information session taking place Jan. 12, 2026.

Ohio State, partner organizations discuss how collaborating helps communities

Students, faculty and staff from Ohio State came together recently with representatives of government agencies and community organizations at the Community Partnership Breakfast to discuss how their collaborations are benefiting communities around Ohio.

Apply by Dec. 19: University Outreach and Engagement Awards

Ohio State is seeking nominations for the 2026 University Outreach and Engagement Awards, which honor faculty, staff and students for outstanding achievement in producing engaged scholarship and community impact. Awards will be given in three categories: Community Engaged Scholar, Community Engaged Practitioner (for staff) and Community Engaged Graduate Student. Apply by Dec. 19.

Call for proposals closing Dec. 19: Programs of Excellence in Engaged Scholarship

To support and promote high-impact engaged scholarship, the Office of Outreach and Engagement certifies programs of excellence in engaged scholarship. The certification process seeks to identify up to 20 projects annually that demonstrate excellence in community-engaged scholarship and meet the criteria of high-impact engaged scholarship. Proposals are due Dec. 19.

Ohio State Newark's "Under the Stars" brings storytelling to the SciDome planetarium

During autumn semester, students at Ohio State Newark put on their first planetarium show, Under the Stars. Hosted at the SciDome planetarium, the show aimed to teach the audience about the wonders of the night sky through an immersive display of constellations visible during the autumn season.

Outreach and Engagement Graduate Student Engaged Scholar Seed Grants

The Office of Outreach and Engagement is offering seed grants to support graduate students to undertake community-engaged research or community-engaged projects, in collaboration with a community partner, that address a specific need or problem within the community. Funding must be for work that is essential to the student's dissertation, thesis or exit project for their degree program. Apply by Feb. 15, 2026.

More community engagement news

• For Ohioans: Helping first responders heal hidden brain injuries
• University Statewide Impact Report: December 2025
• Blood drive supports patients, research at Ohio State
• Interactive brain exhibit at COSI highlights Department of Psychology research

Opportunities

Apply now: Community-Engaged Course Development Grants

Ohio State instructors are invited to apply for a grant of up to $4,000 to support the development of a new community-engaged course or revising an existing course to include community engagement. Grants can support courses offered on any Ohio State campus and at either the undergraduate or graduate level. The application closes at 9 a.m. on Jan. 26, 2026.

Applications open for the Schweitzer Fellows Program

Apply now for the 2026-27 cohort of Columbus-Athens Albert Schweitzer Fellows. The Schweitzer Fellows program supports and trains emerging health-focused graduate and professional students in creating and carrying out service projects to address unmet community needs. Applications are due Feb. 2, 2026.

CTSI Spark Awards available

Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Spark Awards are designed to support preliminary research and generate essential data for new and ongoing projects. Spark Awards provide investigators with resources to advance their research, aiming to jump-start pilot studies and support future extramural grant applications or scientific initiatives. Applications will be received through March 15, 2026, or until designated funds are exhausted.

Professional development opportunities from the Engagement Scholarship Consortium

The Engagement Scholarship Consortium (ESC) offers webinars and online professional development, as well as networking opportunities for faculty, practitioners, graduate students and university leaders throughout the year. These opportunities are offered exclusively to individuals affiliated with ESC member institutions, including Ohio State.

Arts and Sciences STEM Connector

The College of Arts and Sciences Office of Engagement has launched one of its signature projects the STEM Connector. The STEM Connector is a collaborative initiative designed to build infrastructure and community at Ohio State for individuals interested in STEM engagement, and bridge community needs with Ohio States STEM community. STEM researchers and educators from all colleges are invited to get involved.

Explore Campus Compact programs

Through Campus Compact's programs, you have an entire nationwide network at your fingertips. Gain access to valuable information, practical tools and the latest research that you need to move forward locally and across the country. Ohio State is a member of Campus Compact.

2025 International Photography Exhibition

The 2025 International Photography Exhibition will be on display in the Barnett Center for Integrated Arts and Enterprise through Dec. 18. Open hours Monday-Wednesday, 2-5 p.m. and Friday, 3-5 p.m. Stop by to view 40 photographs taken in 24 countries by 29 Ohio State students, staff, faculty and alumni.

Make connections with the Outreach and Engagement listserv

Did you know you can connect with colleagues through the Outreach and Engagement listserv? You can share your work and events, look for partnerships and much more by emailing the list at outreach@lists.osu.edu.