ASCEND CBPR Small Grant Program

Morgan State's Prevention Sciences Research Center (PSRC) and the ASCEND Center for Biomedical Research worked together on an initiative to build more capacity for conducting Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR). When communities participate in researching solutions to their own problems, the solutions are more likely to be implemented.

Funding Process
The ASCEND CBPR Small Grant program provides funds to co-investigators from Morgan State and the communities to design, implement, evaluate, and refine community interventions to improve health. PSRC supports the process with in-kind contributions including physical space and academic expertise. To date, the program has had ten funded projects from two cohorts. Two principal investigators, one from Morgan State and one from the community, jointly apply to be considered for a CBPR Small Grant. The applicants must involve at least one undergraduate student in their project as well. PSRC and ASCEND staff are proactive with logistical and technical assistance. They also help the investigators conceptualize ideas, develop the proposals, and implement the research projects. In addition, the staff assists both academic researchers and community investigators in finding appropriate partners and submitting applications.