Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty

Purpose

It is essential that when UGA units and researchers conduct scholarly activities in rural Georgia it is not viewed as lacking coordination, competing with other UGA initiatives, or duplicating efforts. Through this program, academic faculty will recognize the benefits of collaborating with PSO and Extension to conduct successful community engaged scholarship in rural Georgia. Participants will learn about PSO’s and Extension’s existing local networks across the state, which can provide important local contextual information to aid in the researcher’s success.

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Eligibility

The workshop series is limited to twenty (20) full-time academic faculty from any UGA college or school. Participants in the workshop must be nominated by their respective deans. Nominees may focus on a variety of research topics, including but not limited to: natural resources and the environment, workforce development, public health, educational achievement, and quality of life.

As part of the application process, deans’ nominees will be required to submit a one page proposal for a potential project relevant to rural Georgia. The proposal should include general ideas for collaboration with one or more PSO units and/or Cooperative Extension. The workshop series is designed to help faculty participants develop and hone their collaborative project ideas into a pilot project.

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Seed Grant

At the end of the workshop series, all participants are expected to be part of one or more proposal submissions for seed grant awards. Through a competitive review process, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost will provide up to $70,000 to fund a maximum of ten (10) proposals, ranging from $5,000-$10,000.

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Program Goals

The Rural Engagement Workshop for Academic Faculty is designed to provide a strong introduction to rural engagement for academic faculty by providing the background, information, skills and knowledge needed to be successful. The overall goal of the workshop series is to help strengthen partnerships with communities across Georgia through increased, collaborative, and focused research and scholarship. This program also addresses two of the three University 2025 Strategic directions:

• Growing research, innovation, and entrepreneurship
• Strengthening partnerships with communities across Georgia and around the world

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Program Requirements

Applicants must commit to the following activities in order to be considered for selection:

• Participation is mandatory for all six workshop sessions and any pre or post work (see schedule below).
• Workshops will be held on Fridays during the spring semester.
• During the workshop series, participants will work collaboratively with UGA’s PSO and/or Extension faculty to develop a research proposal that addresses a rural engagement research question.
• A rural community visit will be held in the spring.

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Workshop Overview

Throughout the series of workshops, participants will:

• Learn about the University’s Public Service & Outreach and Extension units, their missions, expertise, and reach.
• Explore the current demographics of the State, focusing on rural Georgia and trends or needs where research interests may align with faculty research interest.
• Learn about ethical considerations within community engaged research.
• Understand the landscape of community engaged research.
• Get connected with UGA’s “Tool Box” for community engaged research.
• Learn practical methods to connect resources and research for mutual benefits resulting in both impact and addressing community needs.
• Hear directly from academic and PSO successful collaborations.
• Better understand rural dynamics and the relevance of research to community needs.
• Create a community-engaged research plan.
• Learn how to build and maintain trust-based relationships.

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Application Submission

Each dean may nominate up to four (4) applicants from his or her respective school or college, using the provided nomination form link. The deadline to submit nominations is October 20, 2025. Faculty who are nominated will be notified once all nominations are received and will be sent a link to complete the program application, which will include the following information:

• Your previous experiences with research projects in rural Georgia (if any)
• Your previous partnership experience (if any) with PSO or Extension faculty and staff
• Your interest in the program and how you would benefit from the workshop series
• How your department/unit would benefit from your participation
• A one-page pre-proposal that includes:
  • Your particular area(s) of research interest, and how it relates to rural Georgia
  • Ideas for potential PSO and/or Extension partners for this research. If you need assistance in identifying a partner, the program will be able to assist you
• An abbreviated Curriculum Vitae (up to 5 pages)

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Notification of Selection

Nominees will be notified and will be given instructions on the application and due date once nominations are received from deans. 

For questions please contact:

Sam Perren, Ph.D.
Coordinator, Rural Engagement Faculty Workshop Series
Public Service Associate, Archway Partnership
sperren@uga.edu, 706-424-7423