DRN’s signature small grant program experiences success
February 20, 2025 - Deborah J. Johnson and Micaela Flores
Advancing impact-driven scholarship
The Diversity Research Network celebrates a decade of impact. One program, the Launch Awards Program, or LAP, awarded its first cohort in the fall of 2017, beginning with six scholars receiving grants and providing 5-11 awards each year since. Having now awarded 56 small grants to DRN scholars, DRN reports on the success of the program.
The purpose of LAP is to provide small bridge or starter grants to scholars who might level the monies and work for larger, more complex projects and research. DRN purposed these small grants to enable publication as another precursor to a more robust research and grant-supported program. The core objectives of most LAP projects were met after the first year. However, after years of COVID postponements, 19 other projects extended beyond the 11-month cycle.
"The Launch Award allowed me to expand my research agenda... and enabled meaningful scholarly and community-engaged work." - Participant testimonial
LAPs have been popular, prompting some scholars to apply for them multiple times. Out of 56 total projects, 17 or 30% of the total awards would reflect repeat awardees for further work or new projects.
Funded scholars have succeeded in publishing and gaining award recognitions, as well as new grants and fellowships. Over 50% of the original project awards were funded, resulting in 34 submitted or successful grants.
Reported productivity from LAP awards:
- 67 Publications
- 13 Fellowships
- 6 Awards/recognitions
- 20 Intent to submit a new grant
- 16 New grant submissions
- 18 New grants awarded
DRN scholars impact communities with diverse profiles. The scholarly endeavors bring support and a modicum of unavailable resources and opportunities to the communities where faculty apply their talents and develop their projects.
"The LAP funds were an integral part of the project's success in regard to data collection, analyses, editorial services, research assistantships, and submission processes." -Participant testimonial
Community-engaged impact
In Puerto Rico, one scholar brought a group of students who helped a particular community after a hurricane devastated the island; papers projects were shared, and students helped the community clean debris left by winds. Stories of the survivors were documented and have been analyzed and retold in innumerable ways.
Additionally, completed films brought the critical stories of communities and culture to national and international audiences. Three of four films were recognized with awards from film organizations and societies—including the Academy Awards (2024) and Broadcast Excellence Merit Award (2023). Film documents living and dying communities and holds history.
Finally, an installation on the Biafran in the American community helped us to understand the ongoing impact of war and genocidal displacement on survivors living in the United States that took place more than 50 years ago.