Applications are now open and the deadline for proposals is 5:00 p.m. November 15, 2025. Proposals submitted by this date will receive full consideration. Reviews begin immediately and continue on a rolling basis thereafter.
Identifying potential projects
Successful partnerships are built through collaboration between community leaders and UMC staff. We’ve found that the most successful partnerships follow this framework:
- Community leaders share the request for proposals with key stakeholders to gauge interest.
- If interest is sufficient, UMC and community partners meet to brainstorm potential projects and answer questions.
- The community partner refines and prioritizes the project list, defining scope and expected deliverables.
- A follow-up meeting with UMC reviews the list and explores matches with learning experiences.
- If selected as a partner, separate meetings are held with relevant staff, leaders, and Augustana faculty to finalize the scope of work for each project.
Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with other entities to strengthen proposals, expand stakeholder involvement, and identify potential funding sources. UMC staff are available throughout the application process to assist with project development and proposal preparation. If you would like additional help or information, please reach out to Dr. Michael Reisner, UMC Director, michaelreisner@augustana.edu, or Alyssa Klauer, Sustainability Program Manager, alyssaklauer@augustana.edu.
Program timeline
Fall semester runs from early September to mid-December; J-term lasts three weeks in January; spring semester runs from early February to mid-May; summer internships take place in June and July; and yearlong projects span August to May.
September: UMC issues a request for proposals from community partners and begins accepting applications.
September-October: UMC staff are available to discuss project ideas, refine proposals, and meet with interested partners.
November 15: Proposals submitted by this date will receive full consideration. Reviews begin immediately and continue on a rolling basis thereafter.
January-February: UMC notifies the Primary Partner and Microproject Partners, coordinates media announcements, and finalizes project matches with Augustana courses and faculty.
Proposal evaluation criteria
A panel of Augustana faculty and staff will evaluate applications using the following criteria:
Top-Level Support: Applications should demonstrate commitment from key decision-makers (city/county managers, elected officials, department heads). Leaders should describe their willingness to allocate staff time and resources, participate in related courses, and mentor students.
Community On-the-Ground Impact: Projects should align with the community’s short- and long-term strategic goals and show clear potential for measurable, positive community impact. Applicants should also explain how success will be evaluated after the partnership concludes.
Project-Course Match: Projects and deliverables must be feasible for Augustana faculty and students. Matches are determined by existing courses, research capacity, and faculty/student interest. Early collaboration with the UMC Program Manager and Director strengthens alignment. Note: not all proposed projects are guaranteed to be matched with a course.
External Partnerships: Projects involving other organizations (school districts, state agencies, nonprofits, businesses, professional associations) are especially encouraged. Applications should describe how these partnerships will function and enhance the project’s impact.
Local Financial Contribution: Financial contributions signal the community’s commitment to the partnership. Applications should specify the amount and source(s) of funding, whether pooled or distributed by department. Priority will be given to proposals with sufficient funding to support completion, taking into account project scope, complexity, duration, and faculty/student involvement.
Apply for UMC partnership
Application coming soon.