Civic Engagement Research Awards
The Institute supports research from UIC faculty that centers on the concept, practices, and methods of civic engagement.
We seek to partner on research that furthers understanding about effective strategies or tools that help:
- Citizens better understand the policy making process
- Citizens and communities to become more engaged in policy debate or deliberative processes
- Government become more responsive to citizens
- Government, non profits, and civic institutions use technology to engage and connect citizens (including those with disproportionately lower access to technology than the public at large) with government and/or improve service delivery
- Community development efforts or local community change initiatives use civic engagement to enhance effectiveness or increase the overall impact of programs
- Advances research on how disinformation and misinformation impacts how civic engagement intersects with technology, public health, or public policy.
Our research award amounts vary year to year. Historically, awards have been between $10,000 and $20,000 per project. UIC faculty and research staff of UIC research centers, institutes, and programs are eligible to apply.
All applications must be submitted electronically via email to ipce.research@gmail.com by 11:59 p.m., June 2, 2025. Applicants will be informed of status by July 28, 2025. For full consideration, applications must be complete, received by deadline, and signed by department head/director.
IPCE commitments are contingent upon FY2026 state funding and availability. At this time, IPCE FY2026 funding has not yet been confirmed.
For more information, please contact IPCE Research Associate Sam Theno or Associate Director Norma Ramos.
Our 2024-25 FY Civic Engagement Research Awardees
Kate Albrecht, PhD
Assistant Professor, Affiliated faculty, Government Finance Research Center and Networks and Governance Lab, Public Policy, Management and Analytics, College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs
“Empowering Purpose-Oriented Network Leaders and Funders for Sustainable Community Engagement”
Jenna Prochaska
Assistant Professor of Law, UIC Law
“Engaging Communities in Enforcing the Fair Housing Act’s “Affirmatively Furthering” Mandate”
Barbara Sostaita, PhD
Assistant Professor, LALS, College of Liberal Arts and Science
“Undocumented Knowledges”
Tanja Aitamurto, PhD
Assistant Professor, Communication, College of Liberal Arts and Science
“Augmented Reality for Informing and Engaging the Public: Combating Environmental Pollution in Chicago’s Industrial Corridors”
Past Award Recipients
IPCE Civic Engagement Research Awards have historically been allotted to areas of study ranging from sociology to education to computer science.
Recently Featured Research
Andy Clarno, PhD (UIC) recently presented his IPCE-funded research project, entitled “Big Data Policing and Racialized Surveillance: the CPD Gang Database.” He, along with the Policing in Chicago Research Group, focused on examining the role of big data and tech in policing and surveillance especially as they are applied to communities of color.