Public engagement expressed in words and actions has long been a core value of the university and its faculty, but NKU President James Votruba raised this commitment to the next level in 2002 when he announced the University-Community Partnership Grant Program to provide funding to address significant issues confronting the region.

Since their inception, 25 UCP Grants, totaling more than $950,000, have been awarded to NKU faculty members who partnered with schools, social service agencies, health care organizations, nonprofit foundations, government agencies, and other community-organizations which make a difference in the quality of life for local residents.

Projects chosen for funding must directly and meaningfully address a social, educational, health or civic need of the region through a mutually beneficial partnership that enriches and expands the learning functions of the university while enhancing the community’s capacity to address its challenges. Grant-funded projects provide win/win situations: learning and educational benefits for the university and its students as well as service-delivery or problem-solving benefit for the local community.

These projects must be true, shared partnerships of effort and financial resources. The university will provide most, sometimes all, of the necessary funding, but it expects the community partners to work hand in hand with it to complete the project.

2007 UCP Grants

Coalition for the Prevention and Treatment of Lead Poisoned Children in Northern Kentucky, directed by Judi Frerick (School of Nursing and Health Professions) in partnership with the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department and several other organizations, will implement community-based, primary and secondary prevention strategies designed to reduce and ultimately eliminate the presence of lead in local areas designated as high risk for lead poisoning.  

Award: $68, 971

Redwood Computer Learning Center Project, directed by Steven Smith (Kinesiology, Health and Educational Foundations) in partnership with Redwood, a disability nonprofit organization, will develop, launch, and evaluate a Computer Learning Center to meet the educational/training needs of teens/adults with severe physical and sensory disabilities.

Awarded: $32,512

Iluminado Caminos para Estudiantes: Illuminating the Path to Success for Hispanic Students, directed by Holly Riffe (Social Work and Director, Latino & Multicultural Center for Regional Development), in partnership with Centro deAmistad, will address the persistence and graduation rate of Hispanic students in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region with three unique programs.

Awarded: $68,466

Northern Kentucky Mental Health Court, directed by Julie Rains and Amy Thistlewaite (Political Science/Criminal) and Gregory Hatchett (Counseling, Human Service and Social Work) in partnership with the 17^th Judicial District and other judicial services, will assist in establishing a regional mental health court servicing Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties as one step toward alleviating jail overcrowding in these three counties.  

Awarded: $55,421

All UCP Grant projects must provide an opportunity for NKU students to actively participate and have a meaningful learning experience.

UCP Grants are announced late each spring and funds become available in May.

 

Click below to review the 2008 RFP and  budget worksheet and instructions:

UCP Grants 2008 RFP
Broadly Defined Budget Form
Vision 2015 Action Budget Form

Service Learning Budget Form

Deadline for proposal submission is March 21, 2008, 4 p.m.!

Previously awarded UCP Grants