Community Engagement Scholarship Award
This award provides University-wide recognition of highly engaged community-based scholarship collaborations that positively impact both the community and scholarship.
Nominations are solicited for the annual Community Engagement Scholarship Award (CESA). This award provides University-wide recognition of highly engaged community-based scholarship collaborations that positively impact both the community and scholarship.
Each year, the Community Engagement Scholarship Award is conferred upon an MSU faculty member, academic staff member, or faculty-staff team, and their designated community partner(s). The CESA includes a stipend of $5,000, shared equally by the designated MSU representative(s) and the designated community organization(s).
Additionally, the four finalists for the Community Engagement Scholarship Award will be recognized with an MSU Distinguished Partnership Award for community-engaged research, community-engaged creative activity, community-engaged teaching, or community-engaged service, which will be presented at the annual MSU Outreach and Engagement Awards Ceremony.
Faculty, administrators, colleagues, students, or community partners can initiate nominations; self-nominations are also welcome. Projects by collaborative teams, with a designated principal investigator or project lead are also eligible. It is expected that nominees will be aware of the nomination and will participate significantly in preparation of the application. Applications must be submitted to the dean or administrator of the nominee’s (P.I. or project lead) major administrative unit (MAU) to be forwarded for University-level consideration. The college/MAU must verify the nominee’s length of continuous MSU employment and completeness of the packet of support materials.
Although not required, the college/MAU may further review the candidate’s materials.
All-University Awards nominations, including those for the Community Engagement Scholarship Award, will be reviewed for misconduct and violations of University policy to ensure alignment with the University’s Mission and Values before being advanced for committee review.
Lastly, please be advised that unsuccessful nominations for the Community Engagement Scholarship Award may be resubmitted in subsequent award cycles. Those who have submitted unsuccessful nominations may also request feedback after the Awards Convocation. Recipients of MSU Distinguished Partnership Awards who are not selected for the Community Engagement Scholarship Award must wait at least two years before resubmitting nominations of the same collaborations and are strongly encouraged to contact me for advice aimed at strengthening their nominations.
Nominations for 2026-27 are due on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.