Convenings Grant

This grant is currently paused.

Overview

Convenings Grants are designed to support the scholarship of engagement or the work in advance of an engaged proposal. Convenings may take place in person for partners based in Ithaca and its nearby communities; however, if any partners are coming from outside Ithaca or the surrounding region (and would therefore require accommodation or reimbursement for travel by car, train, or plane) the convening must be held remotely.

Applicants are encouraged to imagine these gatherings in expansive and inventive ways. Remote convenings might take the form of virtual conversation series with community stakeholders or engaged scholars and practitioners; online critiques of student work conducted in collaboration with community organizations; shared data platforms; podcasts; cooperative publications; or other models of remote and distributed collaboration. 

Each remote convening must include some form of public announcement. Suggested speaker fees are between $100-$300, as appropriate to their level of time commitment and expertise. Speaker fees can only be offered to community partners or scholars external to Cornell.

Award

Up to $1,000

Timeframe

Application open: January 14, 2026

Due: March 6, 2026

Eligibility

• Open to all AAP faculty. 
• All applicants must be Cornell AAP affiliated in the 26–27 academic year.
• All applicants must have a Cornell AAP affiliation at the beginning of their proposed project to receive grant funds.

Application Materials

Formatting

Helvetica regular font; 10pt font size.

Three-page proposal

Your proposal should outline what your convening is, who is invited or involved, and what its impact will be. You should clearly articulate how this convening addresses a specific community interest, problem, or public concern; how it includes working with and learning from a community partner; how it connects and integrates community-engaged experiences with educational content; and how you will incorporate structured, documented critical reflection into the process. Additionally, please introduce any community partners, explain why you are collaborating with them, and include a timeline that considers longevity after this event or series concludes, a budget outline, and any explicit deliverables.

Condensed CV or resume

Your condensed CV or resume should only include projects relevant to what you're proposing. Please do not include more than 15.

One-sentence summary

As directly as possible, what is this convening?

Short response

How will this convening address a specific community interest, problem, or public concern? How will you document critical reflection on its engagement?

Community partners

In your proposal, you should provide details about the nature of any collaborations as well as a rationale for the partnership. Here, please provide a list of community partners, including names of key collaborators and contact information. AAP defines community as a wide range of partners (nonprofit, civic, public sector, entrepreneurial, and corporate) whose work aligns with the College’s commitment to equity, dialogue, and socially-responsive production.

Letter of collaboration

Provide a letter written by your community partner that expresses support for your proposed project or collaboration.

Budget Breakdown

Present all costs with relevant detail and purpose.

Budget Total

Simply state the total amount you're requesting.

Questions and Additional Information

For questions and additional information, please contact Sydney Boyd, Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives.