Community Engaged Research Resources

Community-engaged research involves partnership-building between community members and academic researchers. However, an area that is often overlooked by both partners before collaborating on a research project is the business side of how to work with an academic institution. This guide is intended to help community partners familiarize themselves with the business processes associated with community-engaged research as well as prepare for the pre-award and post-award grants management process when working with an academic researcher.

The guide was developed from a template provided by the Fiscal Readiness Initiative, a collaborative partnership between the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute, the Office of Sponsored Research (OSP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and community experts. It has been edited by members of Yale’s Center for Research Engagement, the SEICHE Center for Health and Justice, and their community partners, so that this handbook is applicable to those engaged in research with academic researchers within Yale University.

Who is it for?

Any community partner who works with academic researchers, including those in leadership roles at community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, health-related organizations, and other organizations who are interested in community-engaged research. This includes:

• Community partners who have had previous experience working with the university as consultants or subcontractors on research projects, and
• New community partners who have basic knowledge of accounting practices and the capacity to manage their internal finances and who are interested in partnering with the university on research projects