2025 Civic Science Collaboration program – Aug 30

Posted by Rita Allen Foundation on July 1, 2025

Center for Cooperative Media, Rita Allen Foundation invite applications for the 2025 Civic Science Collaboration program

Established in 1953 and based in Princeton, New Jersey, the Rita Allen Foundation invests in transformative ideas in their earliest stages to leverage their growth and promote breakthrough solutions to significant problems.

The foundation invites applications for the Civic Science Media: 2025 Funding Opportunity. With support from the foundation, the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University has issued an open call for pilot awards to accelerate civic science media collaborations across the United States.

According to the center, at its core, civic science media is created when journalists and other storytellers work intentionally with diverse community members and scientists to collaboratively address issues of shared interest. Civic science media serves as a bridge between scientists or scientific organizations and the people most impacted by scientific discovery, and promotes a dynamic conversation between scientists, media, and the public. Amidst declining public trust in science, civic science media offers a transformative approach to journalism. It moves beyond one-way information dissemination to foster multi-way conversations involving scientists, journalists, and the communities directly affected by scientific advancements. This collaborative model aims to make the public active shapers of the scientific narrative, addressing real-world challenges like climate change and public health.

The ultimate vision is to cultivate a new ecosystem of journalism where the public actively participates in the scientific process. By supporting longer-term, inclusive collaborations, the civic science media awards strive to restore trust in science and forge more meaningful connections between scientists, journalists, and the communities they serve. Priority areas include AI, climate science, and neuroscience, which align with the broader goals of the foundation’s overall civic science program.

A total of 10 awards of up to $15,000 each are available. This opportunity is not meant to fund long-term, multi-year partnerships, but rather short-term pilots that foster ongoing, multidirectional dialogue between media organizations, scientists, and local communities; include direct community participation in the scientific and/or media-creation process, ensuring that local concerns and perspectives substantially influence the conversation; and enhance science literacy by making complex scientific topics more accessible and engaging.

Projects will run for 9-12 months for projects based on existing partnerships, and up to 15 months for new collaborations. In addition, participants will receive hands-on coaching, including regular check-ins, peer-to-peer meetings, and tailored support to align goals, address challenges, and ensure robust and impactful community engagement.

To be eligible, applicants must be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations conducting work primarily in the United States or have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Center for Cooperative Media website.

Deadline: August 30, 2025