Advancing capacity to capture and explain impacts by exploring them through the lens of prior collaborative science projects
At a glance:
| Who | 2 individuals per project of focus; at least one must be a reserve staff member |
|---|---|
| Funding | $10,000 / project |
| Duration | March - December 2026 |
Essential details:
- Explore alternative approaches to capturing and explaining impact in a peer learning setting
- Organize a conversation with partners to explore impacts of a completed project
- Receive Science Collaborative guidance and support
- Develop a rich project impact narrative from which many stories can be told
- Strengthen skills to capture and communicate about impact
Learn more:
The impacts of collaborative science projects are expansive and accumulate over time. They include advances in science and knowledge exchange and all kinds of other impacts such as deepened relationships and capacities gained. What teams report at the end of a project is just the tip of the iceberg. When you let time pass and invite discussion with partners about what difference a project has made, what else do you learn? And how do you do it in a way that makes it easier to communicate about impact to all kinds of audiences?
This opportunity is all about getting better at capturing and explaining the impacts of collaborative science through the lens of a prior collaborative science project, as three key elements come together:
- Time since project completion for impacts to take shape;
- Peer learning and Science Collaborative support for using alternative methods for capturing impact; and
- Access to funds to support exploration of impact with peers and partners.
Overview of activities
Participants will:
- Focus on a NERRS Science Collaborative project in which they participated that is at least one year post completion;
- Learn about alternative methods for capturing and explaining impact and then apply them in the context of their project;
- Organize conversations with partners who were involved in the project and, together, exploring impacts since it concluded; and
- Produce an impact narrative that provides a rich explanation of what they and partners understand about the impacts of the project.
Insights and narratives from all participating projects will contribute to a broader story of collaborative science that showcases and explains the impact of the approach.
Individuals already applying these kinds of methods across the NERRS have expressed the following benefits:
- Hearing what partners identify as the impacts of the project, including explanations about what happened during the project that made participation meaningful and impacts possible;
- Deepening understanding of partners’ needs and identifying opportunities for future work together;
- Seeing partners make connections with one another and identifying ways to collaborate;
- Having a rich project impact narrative that can support all types of communications, e.g., reserve performance reports, future proposals, engaging with partners and decision makers; and
- Feeling better equipped to understand, track, and communicate about the impacts of their work for the project of focus and beyond.
- Direct NERRS Science Collaborative support and cohort-based learning, e.g., joint learning sessions, 1:1 calls to confirm plans for partner conversations, feedback to refine impact narrative.
- Customized guidance materials such as frameworks, methods, and a meeting outline to support conversations with partners.
- Up to $10k per participating project to support the time of the two project representatives, supplies/hosting for partner conversations, and/or expenses to support partner participation, e.g., travel, honoraria.
- Travel support to attend the September in-person workshop.
At the application phase, there is no budget component. Specific plans for use of funds will be identified and confirmed early in 2026 as project representatives gain clarity about their approach to engage with partners.
If you have played a significant role in a completed NERRS Science Collaborative project and are interested in exploring its impacts with partners, this opportunity could be right for you.
This opportunity is designed to involve two representatives for each project of focus, i.e., teams of two individuals. If you are interested in participating, you will need to identify a second individual with whom you will work and coordinate the submission of a single application.
Your team of two must meet the following criteria:
- At least one individual should have held a leadership role in the project of focus (e.g., project, collaborative or science lead),
- At least one individual should be reserve staff; and
- Both individuals should have strong familiarity with the project of focus and its key partners.
Projects of focus must be a NERRS Science Collaborative funded project that is at least one year post completion. Eligible types of projects include collaborative research, catalyst, science transfer, and knowledge exchange.
Participants commit to:
- Attending three virtual learning sessions to get familiar with methods used in subsequent steps (90 min each);
- Organizing an impact conversation with project partners (prep time + half or one-day meeting);
- Attending an in-person gathering September 15-16, 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to advance learning and support peer exchange;
- Submitting a completed project impact narrative (up to 5 pages);
- Participating in an impact interview with Science Collaborative staff (1 hour); and
- Participating in a virtual wrap up session to share and celebrate participants’ accomplishments (90 min)
- February 11, 2026: Brief expressions of interest due.
- February 27, 2026: Applications due.
- March 11, 2026: Participants confirmed by an email notification from the Science Collaborative.
- Three required virtual learning sessions. Participants must attend all three sessions to get familiar with methods that will be used in subsequent steps (90 min each).
- 3-4:30pm ET March 18
- 3-4:30pm ET April 7
- 3-4:30pm ET April 29
- May/June: Each pair of project participants organizes a conversation with their partners to explore impacts (prep time + half or one-day meeting).
- June-August: Based on what is learned in partner conversations, each project team drafts a narrative that captures and explains impacts.
- September 15-16 in Ann Arbor, Michigan: Participants attend an in-person gathering to advance learning and support peer exchange, including discussing draft narratives.
- October-December:
- Participants wrap up their impact narratives.
- Participants complete an impact interview with Science Collaborative staff (1 hour).
- By December 31, 2026: Participants submit their completed impact narrative to the Science Collaborative (up to 5 pages).
- January 2027: Virtual session to support sharing with other participants and celebrate participants’ accomplishments (date tbd, 90 min).
How to apply:
- By February 11, 2026, let us know if you are interested by submitting an Expression of Interest. Expressions of Interest are not required to participate but are tremendously helpful for our planning. Complete this short form to express your interest and help us plan with you in mind.
- By February 27, 2026, complete the application (required). Applications are brief, requesting contact information, high-level information about the project of focus, and a joint letter of interest. Two project representatives are required per application but only one representative should complete an application. More details can be found in the Application Guidance.
Contact
Questions about this funding opportunity can be directed to:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: Maeghan Brass (734-763-0727)