Outreach and Engagement Grant Opportunities

Engaged Scholarship Seed Grants

As a land grant institution, engaged scholarship is essential to the work of the universitys faculty, staff and students. Ohio State is dedicated to extending research and creative expression beyond our campuses by engaging in partnership with communities - elevating the quality of life for the people of Ohio and beyond. The Office of Outreach and Engagement is releasing the following request 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.

Please download and complete the application below and submit via email as a PDF to Assistant Vice Provost Nicole Nieto at engage@osu.edu, by midnight Sunday, February 15, 2026.

Download Application

Information Session

• January 12 at 12 p.m. via Zoom
• Register for information session

Additional Details:

• Grants will be awarded at the maximum amount of $10,000.
• We anticipate funding at least 10 Seed Grants in 2026.
• Priority will be given to projects located within Ohio.
• Funding will be awarded at the end of spring semester 2026 and final grant activities must be completed by June 30, 2027.
• Recently established projects/programs must be able to demonstrate outcomes (e.g. relationship building; data collection/analysis; report/publication development support for community partners or other outcomes) within the 12-month duration of the grant.
• Grantees will be required to share reports and other relevant publications with the Office of Outreach and Engagement at the end of the grant period.
• Projects/programs may be featured in future communications and marketing publications from the Office of Outreach and Engagement.
• Funding may be used to support release time, undergraduate, graduate student or post-doc time, community partner support (e.g. stipends or support for community advisory boards), publication expenses, supplies, materials, incentives according to university policy, program materials, travel, meetings or data collection and analysis.

Questions? Contact Assistant Vice Provost Nicole Nieto at nieto.12@osu.edu.