Montclair State University Civic Science Media Projects 2025

🏫 About Montclair State University Civic Science Media Projects

The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University is delighted to announce a funding opportunity for civic science media projects, supported by the Rita Allen Foundation. These awards aim to:

• Accelerate civic science media collaborations across the United States.
• Provide funding and coaching for projects that bridge the gap between scientists, media, and communities.
• Focus on increasing public participation in science, expanding public deliberation about emerging science, and creating opportunities for science to be informed by diverse communities.

This initiative builds on a global research project conducted in 2020 and 2021 by the Center, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The research demonstrated how journalists and civil society organizations collaborate to achieve tangible impacts on issues like corruption, governance, climate and environment, and human rights.

🎁 Benefits of the Program

A total of 10 awards of up to $15,000 each are available. These awards are intended for short-term pilot projects 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.
• Enhance science literacy by making complex scientific topics more accessible and engaging.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Organization Type:

   • Applicants must be United States-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations conducting work primarily in the United States or have a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fiscal sponsor.
   • Awards will be made to organizations, not individuals.

2. Science Partner:

   • The science partner should be an organization with science as its core focus, such as:
     • Civil society organizations
     • Universities
     • Standalone research institutes
   • The science partner should aim to advance a culture where science is strengthened through collaboration with diverse communities or work to ensure that science, evidence, and public engagement inform solutions to society's pressing problems.

3. Media Partner:

   • The media partner should be a media-making organization that regularly produces original news content (digital, print, or broadcast).
   • Ideally, the media partner should not be a startup and should have a proven track record of producing high-quality, accurate, and ethical reporting. Examples include:
     • News outlets
     • Media organizations
     • Other entities dedicated to informing the public about current events and issues of public interest.

📅 Application Date and Process

• Application Deadline: August 30, 2025
• Notification Date: September 30, 2025

Application Steps:

1. Submit your application before the deadline.
2. Upon submission, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application.

🔗 Application Links

• Program Details: Montclair State University Civic Science Media Projects
• Apply Here: Application Form

📌 Key Dates

• Date Published: June 3, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 30, 2025
• Notification Date: September 30, 2025

🌍 Opportunity Details

• Category: Grants
• Opportunity Location: United States
• Eligible Locations: United States
• School: Montclair State University (MSU)

This is a fantastic opportunity to foster collaboration between media, science, and communities while addressing pressing societal challenges. Don't miss out—apply today!

• A total of 10 awards up to $15,000 each are available.
• Foster ongoing, multidirectional dialogue between media organizations, scientists, and local communities.
• Include direct community participation in the scientific and/or media-creation process.
• Enhance science literacy by making complex scientific topics more accessible and engaging.