Research Comunity Engagement Award (RCE)

Deadline 1 May 2026                       Awards announced 31 May 2026

The American Genetic Association grants RCE Awards to AGA members conducting research in local communities and/or Indigenous land.

Overview

Building meaningful relationships between scientists and the communities connected to their research is essential for trust, ethical research practice, and long-term collaboration. Research shows that distrust in science often stems from perceived institutional authority and inaccessible expertise (Yearly, 2000). In biodiversity genomics and related fields, strong partnerships with local and Indigenous communities are now recognized as critical—but are rarely provided dedicated funding sources through traditional research grants.

The Award for Researcher Community Engagement is a pilot program from the AGA to support the relational work that enables responsible science and development of trust in the broader scientific enterprise. Funding covers activities that strengthen trust, foster communication, and encourage more co-created understanding between researchers and local (defined as rural and under-resourced urban communities) and/or Indigenous communities.

Purpose

To provide financial support for community engagement activities that fall outside typical research funding, including extended stays, cultural participation, gift-giving (cash gifts not allowed), and other relationship-building expenses.

Eligible Applicants

AGA members at any career stage working in biological, ecological, or genomic sciences who demonstrate a commitment to ethical, culturally respectful engagement with a specific community.

Award Details

Funding Amount: Applicants may request up to $2,000 to be encumbered within 12 months of the award.

We anticipate awarding a total of $4,000 this year.

Award Requirements: Brief ~1-2 page final report summarizing activities and outcomes to be published on the AGA Blog.

Due to the large number of applications received and evaluated, there will be no individual feedback for unsuccessful proposals.

Guidelines

Prepare your application using the attached form, and save as one PDF file.  Replace the header identifier “RCE2026_LASTNAME_Descriptor” with your last name and a short project descriptor (e.g., RCE2026_SMITH_ProjectName).  Submit your application through the google form linked at https://forms.gle/mpNwiJ24SoszD6sJ8.

Save your application to the SAME NAME as the header title (e.g., RCE2026_SMITH_ProjectName).  Please use this name in all correspondence.  Expand boxes as needed.  

Evaluation Rubric

Category | Criteria | Weight

Engagement Plan Quality | Clarity of goals, feasibility, appropriateness of plan | 30%

Benefit to Community & Relationship Strengthening | Mutual benefit, long-term potential | 25%

Ethical & Cultural Responsibility | Respectful, inclusive, culturally informed approach | 20%

Feasibility & Budget Alignment | Realistic, justified, aligned with goals | 15%

Applicant Commitment & Capacity | Preparation and relevant experience | 10%