Ohio State Engages November 2025 Newsletter

Colleagues,

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year's Buckeyes for Charity campaign. As you can read below, our university community raised over $1 million for more than 650 nonprofit organizations across the state.

Congratulations to the co-chairs of this year's campaign (Dan Like and Stacy Rastauskas), our community partners, the United Way of Central Ohio and all of the Buckeyes for Charity ambassadors across the university and medical center who made this successful campaign possible.

We are excited to share that the Office of Outreach and Engagement's seed grant call for proposals will be announced in December. This year we will be supporting proposals up to $10,000 for our engaged scholars and practitioners. Our engaged graduate student research seed grant program will also return. Students can apply for up to $2,500 in seed grant funding to support their community-engaged scholarship. We look forward to reviewing this year's proposals.

Wishing you all a wonderful and rejuvenating Thanksgiving holiday.

Sincerely,

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

Apply Now: 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: 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.

Buckeyes for Charity raises more than $1 million for Ohio nonprofits

Ohio State faculty, staff and retirees donated more than $1 million to Ohio nonprofits through the 2025 Buckeyes for Charity campaign, which ran from mid-September to early November. Programs and services provided by these agencies focus on food security, health and wellness, housing, animal welfare, education, advocacy programs, the environment and much more.

Engaged Scholar Q&A: Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira

"My scholarship becomes much richer when I collaborate with community partners, such as those I work with in Rwanda," said Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira, professor and director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Sociology. "Their ideas and expertise strengthen the work and make it more relevant, as the results can be used by people on the ground."

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.

More community engagement news

• For Ohioans: Early screenings are unlocking young readers potential
• Navigating uncertain times in nonprofit management
• Ohio State community comes together to engage in dialogue, build relationships
• Construct I/O 2025 celebrates innovation and entrepreneurship at Ohio State
• College of Social Work Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Katie Calhoun

Opportunities

Sustainability Research Seed Grant opportunity now open

The Sustainability Institute has opened the FY26 Sustainability Research Seed Grant Program, which will fund interdisciplinary research teams exploring topics in one or more of the institutes research priority areas. Average awards are expected to be about $25,000. Letters of intent are due by Dec. 5, 2025, and full proposals are due by Jan. 21, 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.

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.

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.

Apply for STEAM Factory Story Fellows Program

The STEAM Factory and The Story Collider are teaming up for the STEAM Story Fellows Program, which provides in-depth storytelling training, one-on-one story coaching and an opportunity to perform live or record a story for the STEAM Story Fellow Archive. Learn more and apply by Dec. 1.

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 from Nov. 3 - 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.