Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund
Stay tuned for more information about the 2021/22 fund competition
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Are you a community group working with UBC on a shared social, environmental, health-related or cultural project?
Are you a UBC faculty member, staff or student seeking funding for your community partner?
Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) is a competitive funding program that provides successful recipients at charitable organizations in British Columbia to build partnerships and pursue shared projects with UBC. We support the partners behind collaborative research, teaching and learning projects that benefit communities across the province.
A total of $500,000 will be available for 2021/22, paid directly to community partners. Why fund partners? Community-university partnerships enrich UBC research and education, support the non-profit sector, and help communities thrive. CUES removes financial barriers and prioritizes reciprocal, inclusive engagement so all communities — especially those that have been underserved, marginalized, or excluded — can benefit.
CUES is jointly sponsored by UBC Community Engagement, Vice-President External Relations, and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. Funding is allocated across two streams:
CUES by the Numbers
Since CUES launched in 2017…
- Total funding awarded: $1,234,555
- Community groups funded: 54
- Indigenous communities funded: 21
- UBC Faculties represented: 9
Explore Stream
- Up to $15,000 per project (min. $7,500)*
New relationships take time. The “Explore Stream” is designed to help get emerging partnerships and projects off the ground. With Explore Stream funding, emerging community-university partners can take the time they need to build trust, define shared interests, identify knowledge gaps and shared goals, and design collaborative research, teaching or learning projects.
Sustain Stream
- Up to $30,000 per project (min. $15,000)*
In recognition of the work of community partners, the “Sustain Stream” supports established partnerships that have already been working collaboratively and want to do more. Funds can be used to keep a partnership afloat, activate the results of previous collaboration, and translate research results to action that benefits communities.
Who Is Eligible?
Interested in CUES funding? Before getting started, check that your partnership and project meet these minimum eligibility criteria:
✔ The community partner is a registered Canadian charity or other qualified donee. (First Nation band councils without registered charity status are welcome to contact us at cues.fund@ubc.ca to explore eligibility options.)
✔ The UBC partner is a current UBC faculty or staff member, or a student with a faculty signature.
✔ Both partners and your proposed project are based in British Columbia, Canada.
✔ Your proposed project has a shared purpose and benefit for the community you serve.
✔ Your proposed project will begin in Spring 2021 and be completed within 18 months.
If you meet the above criteria and want to learn more, check out the previous (2020) applicant guide to get an idea of the fund process.
Sign up for CUES updates for funding updates and reminders from the Community Engagement team.
Not sure if you’re eligible? We’re always happy to discuss eligibility and answer your questions. Contact us at cues.fund@ubc.ca for more information.
How to Apply
The CUES application process is fully online. Before applying, partners are encouraged to review the Applicant Guide, determine the appropriate stream for their partnership and project, and connect with each other to discuss the details of their application. Please note that this application process is from the 2020 intake and subject to change for future fund intakes.
The proposal process has two steps:
STEP 1: Submit Notice of Intent (NOI) — required for all applicants
Deadline: currently closed
Submit a notice of intent using this online form. Download this PDF to review the NOI questions and prepare your responses in advance.
(NOIs will not be reviewed. They are an administrative requirement to be considered for CUES funding.)
STEP 2: Submit application
Deadline: currently closed
Only those who submit an NOI by the deadline may submit a full application. Download the full application package for each stream below. A link to submit the application will be sent via email in response to your NOI submission.
We are always happy to hear from potential applicants to discuss their project and answer questions. Contact us at cues.fund@ubc.ca.
Applicant Guide
Want to learn more? Download the full CUES 2020 Applicant Guide here.
Info Sessions
CUES 2020 Info Session #1: July 22
An online info session was held on July 22nd, 2020, to share more information about eligibility and the NOI process.
- Download the slide deck
- Email us to request an audio recording of the session
Eligible Expenses
Funding is intentionally flexible to support the different costs that are associated with community engagement activities. Below are examples of eligible and ineligible expenses:
Eligible Expenses
Expenses must be directly related to the proposed relationship and/or partnership-building activities and outcomes. Examples of eligible expenses include:
- Salary/stipends for project team members supporting relationship and/or partnership-building activities
- Honoraria for community members, elders, leaders and knowledge keepers or brokers
- Training or education fees necessary for project team members to fully participate or contribute
- Program or organizational evaluations or assessments
- Engagement costs, including travel & accommodation, facilities/space rental fees, for meetings, hospitality and catering costs
- Equipment and supplies that directly support relationship and/or partnership-building activities
Ineligible Expenses
CUES funds are not intended as a replacement for other sources of research funding or daily operational costs. Examples of ineligible expenses include:
- Direct costs of research, e.g., costs associated with data collection, analysis or academic conference presentations.
- Any administrative or core costs/expenses for community organizations, e.g., salaries associated with an organization’s daily operations or programming or office equipment.
- Costs of alcohol.
Contact Us
We are always happy to hear from potential applicants and discuss the details or your partnership or proposal. Please contact us by email at cues.fund@ubc.ca.
Get Updates
Get updates about CUES and other funding opportunities from UBC Community Engagement, including funding announcements, upcoming info sessions, deadlines and more.