The Wisconsin Idea Collaboration Grants, an initiative of UW-Madison Extension and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education (VCRGE) is continuing into its third year and also expanding the size of awards to spur partnerships between campus and communities.
Wisconsin Idea Collaboration (WIC) Grants provide an intentional funding mechanism for campus research projects to benefit communities across Wisconsin through Extension’s statewide network. A total of $1 million is available for awards between $10,000-$100,000. The deadline to apply is Dec. 16. See more application details with this link go.wisc.edu/wicg.
The Collaboration Grants are funded in partnership with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education. They fund research and outreach that increase Extension’s connections across the UW-Madison campus while advancing the Wisconsin Idea. The grants are intended to catalyze collaboration between the Division of Extension and other UW-Madison units and to encourage doctoral degrees earned through community engaged scholarship.
Priority will be given to projects that have a co-PI from the Division of Extension and employ a doctoral student or otherwise substantively support completion of a PhD degree. WIC grant funded projects must be designed to benefit Wisconsin communities. While WIC grants support both research and outreach efforts, at least 50% of the total award must support research components of a funded project.
Past projects have studied the efficacy of social policies, created local curricula, engaged citizen scientists, and lifted up community needs for academic research. Extension manages programming and partnerships across Wisconsin in six areas:
- Positive Youth Development
- Natural Resources
- Agriculture
- Human Development & Relationships
- Health & Well-Being
- Community Development
Funded projects may last up to three fiscal years starting July 1, 2024, ending June 30, 2027.
