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Application Deadline: April 1

The Children, Youth and Environments (CYE) Award provides up to $5,000 to support place-based Participatory Action Research (PAR) projects that engage children and youth (18 and under) as partners in research and action.

Administered by Community Engagement, Design, and Research Center (CEDaR), this award supports projects that meaningfully involve young people in shaping research questions, methods, and outcomes—moving beyond extractive studies toward collaborative, youth-centered inquiry.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants must have an active affiliation with University of Colorado Boulder throughout the project period:

• Faculty (including non-tenure-track)
• Staff
• Graduate students
• Joint applications (multiple applicants) are welcome

Graduate student applicants must include a faculty advisor reference.

What We Fund

Participatory Action Research (PAR)

PAR projects must actively engage youth as collaborators, not simply subjects. Intergenerational projects are encouraged if they provide clear, identifiable benefits to participating youth.

We define PAR through three core practices:

1. Youth–adult partnerships grounded in democratic decision-making and meaningful roles for all participants
2. Systematic inquiry into issues relevant to young people’s lived experiences (e.g., GIS mapping, interviews, surveys, photovoice, ethnography, auto-ethnography)
3. Public contribution based on research findings (e.g., dialogue with public officials, policy proposals, media publications, websites, community resources)

Traditional research that collects data about youth without engaging them in shaping the project is not eligible.

Place-Based Focus

Funded projects must examine the lived physical environments of children and youth, such as:

• Neighborhoods
• Parks and public space
• Schools
• Transportation and mobility systems
• Local businesses
• Community services

Preference will be given to projects working with youth in low-income neighborhoods and/or contexts of social, economic, or structural disadvantage.

Allowable Expenses

Funds may be used flexibly for project-related costs, including:

• Stipends for youth participants
• Summer pay for graduate and undergraduate assistants
• Travel for youth (18 and under) to participate in activities or disseminate findings
• Materials to implement PAR-based research

Up to 10% of the award may support graduate student travel to present findings at a professional conference.

Funds may not be used for publication subvention fees.

Application Requirements

Applications must include:

1. Project Proposal (Maximum 750 words, double-spaced)

Address the following:

• What are the goals and expected outcomes?
• Who are the participants, how many will be involved, and what roles will they play?
• How will youth meaningfully shape the project’s goals and methods?
• How does the project align with your professional goals or research agenda?
• How will the project be evaluated?

2. Project Timeline (One page)

Outline key milestones, activities, and implementation steps.

3. Budget (Separate page)

Include total project budget and clearly identify which expenses will be supported by this award, with brief justifications.

4. Letter of Support

From a community partner involved in the project.

5. Faculty Advisor Reference (Graduate Students Only)

Selection & Funding Timeline

• April 1 – Application deadline
• April 15 – Award recipient(s) selected
• May 22 – Funds transferred to department speedtype
• May 22 – December 15 – Project implementation period
• January 15 – Final report due

Final Report Requirements

The final report must include:

• A project narrative (maximum 500 words) describing outcomes and lessons learned
• A budget summary detailing how funds were spent
• Photos of project activities and quotes from participants (strongly encouraged)

Selection Process

CEDaR will convene a selection committee composed of:

• One CEDaR representative
• One CMDI/ENVD faculty member
• One community representative

At the committee’s discretion, one or multiple awards may be made. If no proposals are deemed fundable, earnings may be carried forward to increase funding availability in a future cycle.

Where Do the Funds Come From?

The award is supported by earnings from an endowment created by the Children, Youth and Environments Center for Research and Design and administered by CEDaR.

Apply by April 1

We encourage proposals that center youth voice, address structural inequities, and demonstrate strong community partnerships.

For questions about eligibility or proposal development, please contact jota@colorado.edu

Empower youth. Engage place. Transform environments.