Public scholarship proposals accepted Proposals are being accepted from UND faculty for research and creative activity projects involving public or community partners in North Dakota. The Center for Community Engagement Public Scholarship Fund has been established with the support of the vice president for research. A total of $10,000 is available for projects this year. Public scholarship, also known as public policy research, action research, community-based research, participatory research, and public interest research, is concerned with addressing community needs by involving public members in research projects and by making research results broadly accessible. The Public Scholarship Committee encourages multi-disciplinary projects, attention to the particular needs of North Dakota, and the involvement of students. Application forms are downloadable from the Web site of the UND Center for Community Engagement at www.communityengagement.und.edu The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Research Funds are available for: • Public scholarship projects of up to $2,500 • Two or more faculty members from more than one department • At least one fully involved public/community partner in North Dakota • Projects addressing a significant public need or public interest in North Dakota • Projects that can be completed in 12 months A community partner may be any legal entity, a non-governmental organization (NGO), a non-profit organization, or a community service organization. Community partners must be actively involved in the design of the research project. A letter of commitment from the community partner is required with the application. The original and six (6) copies of the application should be submitted to Lana Rakow, UND Public Scholarship Program, 317 Cambridge St., Stop 8254 (777-2287; lanarakow@mail.und.edu) by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Successful applicants will be notified by March 1. Awardees are expected (a) to submit a written report meeting requirements which will be provided to them, (b) discuss their project at the second annual community-university forum in Rugby, N.D., March 27-28, and (c) present results of their projects at one community engagement or public scholarship event at the conclusion of their research. -- Lana Rakow, Director, Center for Community Engagement, lanarakow@mail.und.edu, 777.2287