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:

  1. Citizens better understand the policy making process
  2. Citizens and communities to become more engaged in policy debate or deliberative processes
  3. Government become more responsive to citizens
  4. 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
  5. Community development efforts or local community change initiatives use civic engagement to enhance effectiveness or increase the overall impact of programs

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.
The research awards are contingent on state funding and availability each fiscal year.

Our 2019-20 FY Civic Engagement Research Awardees

Apply now for a Civic Engagement Research Award!

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.

Read more Policing in Chicago Research Group Reports

Past award recipients

IPCE Civic Engagement Research Awards have historically been allotted to areas of study ranging from sociology to education to computer science.

For more information, please contact Norma Ramos, Associate Director