Applications Open
The Resilient Communities Project (RCP) is accepting proposals from local government agencies anywhere in Minnesota for 2025-2026 partnerships to address your community's research and technical assistance needs. Proposals must include a minimum of three discrete projects intended to advance community sustainability, equity, and resilience. The deadline for proposals is April 15 for partnerships to begin fall academic term (September to December 2025).
RCP partners with local government agencies to build resilience and spark positive change through the power of university research. Each year, we support projects that address a broad range of local issues and needs, involving any department or division in your agency, by:
- providing applied research and technical assistance from graduate and professional students and faculty at the University of Minnesota
- generating new ideas and perspectives on a challenging problem or issue
- bringing community voices and knowledge to the conversation
RCP encourages projects that address racial, economic, or other inequities and disparities in Minnesota. The selection process is competitive.
Who Is Eligible
- Counties, cities, tribal government agencies, special districts (e.g., watershed, transit, park, school), and regional development commissions or government agencies anywhere in Minnesota are eligible to apply.
- Municipalities and counties located within the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area are eligible for matching funds from the Metropolitan Council for selected projects that implement elements of a locally adopted 2040 comprehensive plan.
- Nonprofit, neighborhood, and community organizations are not eligible for RCP, but may seek assistance from CURA's Community Programs.
Program Cost
RCP partners provide dedicated staff time and a local financial contribution. For the 2025–2026 academic year, costs are as follows:
- $8,000 per project for partnerships involving 3–5 projects (at this time, RCP is not accepting partnerships with fewer than 3 projects)
- $7,000 per project for partnerships involving 6 or more projects
- For projects that are selected for Metropolitan Council matching funds, the fee is $4,000 per project
Deadline for Proposals
Proposals must be submitted by April 15, 2025 for partnerships to begin fall academic term (September to December 2025)
Benefits of an RCP Partnership
RCP partners with local government agencies to build resilience and spark positive change through the power of university research. Each year, we support projects that address a broad range of local issues and needs, involving any department or division in your agency, by providing applied research and technical assistance from graduate and professional students and faculty at the University of Minnesota, generating new ideas and perspectives on a challenging problem or issue, and bringing community voices and knowledge to the conversation. Benefits include:
- A high rate of return on investment, with hundreds of hours of concentrated student work on your projects
- Data analysis, case studies, concept plans, and policy recommendations that can energize staff, spark community and staff discussions, and get “stuck” projects moving again
- Access to an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students with knowledge of innovative and cutting-edge research
- Opportunities to foster next-generation local government professionals by collaborating with highly motivated students
Application Resources
- Have a question about RCP, or want to discuss a future project idea or partnership? Email us to schedule a one-on-one meeting via Zoom.
- Not sure how to choose appropriate projects? View our suggestions for identifying projects.
Contact Mike Greco, RCP Director, at [email protected] to learn more or discuss how we can customize our program to meet your needs!