Research Community Engagement Award (RCE)

The American Genetic Association grants RCE Awards to AGA members conducting research in local communities and/or Indigenous land. Building meaningful relationships between scientists and the communities connected to their research is essential for trust, ethical research practice, and long-term collaboration. 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. The purpose is 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. Applicants may request up to $2,000 to be encumbered within 12 months of the award, with a total of $4,000 anticipated to be awarded this year. Recipients must submit a brief 1-2 page final report summarizing activities and outcomes to be published on the AGA Blog. Allowable expenses include lodging, living costs, engagement items and services, and travel unrelated to fieldwork. Research costs, salaries, and non-engagement fieldwork activities are not allowed.