The INSPIRE! Community Engaged Research Seed Grant Program supports the development of and capacity for community-engaged research. The Program’s multiple tiers of funding are intended to support diverse types and stages of community-engaged research.
Eligibility and other requirements, including a required notice of intent, vary across the tiers. Be sure to carefully review the requirements, terms, and conditions for the program to which you are interested in submitting a proposal.
What is Community Engaged Research?
Community-engaged research is set apart by its methodologies and practices that emphasize working with communities not working on communities. Working with communities means that all facets of research and creative practice are driven by community needs, goals, and values. This is different from consultation and/or input from communities. Community engaged research is driven by communities including: the conception of research questions, the design of methodologies, determining the range and pace of outputs, defining measures for and evaluations of impacts, and determining authorship, attributions, and access to data
Grant Details
Faculty members can apply for any tier that is appropriate for their research, there is no requirement or expectation that applicants will have received one tier in order to apply for another. Follow the links below to learn the specific requirements of each tier and to submit a notice of intent (if required) or proposal. The Important Dates and Deadlines section below provides a quick reference for the important dates associated with each tier.
Interested faculty are encouraged to explore the other elements of the INSPIRE! program, including information sessions related to these funding opportunities as well as community engaged research more broadly and upcoming workshops.
Tier One
Tier One awards provided up to $3,000 for travel supporting community partnerships. WSU faculty members in any track and any discipline were eligible to apply.
Tier One awards are no longer available.
Tier Two
Tier Two awards provide up to $10,000 in support of a community engaged project or program in early phases of development. WSU faculty members in any track and any discipline are eligible to apply.
Tier Three
Tier Three awards provide up to $20,000 in support of a well-established community engaged research project or program. The funds are intended to assist with the creation of a proof of concept or the production of data that would move the research agenda to a stage to apply for substantial external funding. WSU faculty members in any track and any discipline are eligible to apply.
Pullman in Focus
The 2025 Pullman in Focus award provided up to $10,000 in support of a community engaged research project or program based in the Pullman area. WSU faculty members in any track and any discipline on the Pullman campus were eligible to apply.
The Pullman in Focus award is no longer available.
Graduate Student Community Engaged Research Grant
Graduate Student Community Engaged Research Grants of up to $10,000 support WSU graduate students in good standing to conduct community engaged research or creative activity. Projects may be conducted either during the 3-month summer period or during the 9-month academic year.
Important Dates and Deadlines
Tier Two
| Date | Event |
| November 1 | Notice of Intent due |
| December 1 | Proposals due by midnight |
| December 2 – 20 | Proposal review period |
| February 1 | 12-month award period begins |
Tier Three
| Date | Community Engaged Research Seed Grant – Tier Three |
| March 15 | Notice of Intent due |
| April 15 | Proposals due by midnight |
| April 16 – 30 | Proposal review period |
| July 1 | 12-month award begin date |
Funds for the INSPIRE! Community Engaged Research Seed Grant Program were provided by the WSU Pullman Office of the Chancellor and the WSU Office of Research.