Columbia World Projects Impact Awards

The deadline to submit an expression of interest has passed.

Expressions of interest submitted before the June 14 deadline are currently being processed. Faculty and research scientists who submitted an expression of interest ahead of the deadline will be contacted soon with more information about next steps.

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Columbia World Projects (CWP) recently solicited  proposals for the first Columbia World Projects Impact Awards. Through this inaugural competitive call, CWP will select and support the design, implementation and evaluation of bold solutions to critical societal problems. The awards will be granted to projects that aim to have a meaningful impact on people's lives and that have the potential to scale.

Columbia World Projects invited proposals from Columbia University faculty and research scientists for interdisciplinary projects that address the theme “Supporting Generations.” 

The deadline to register a project proposal has passed. The recipients of the first Impact Awards are expected to be announced in September 2022.

Project requirements:

• Projects should aim to address issues related to generational well-being across the lifespan. This could include challenges associated with maternal and child health, early childhood development, youth well-being, longevity, and aging.  
• Project teams must reflect at least two faculty and/or research scientists from at least two Columbia schools, institutes or centers. Interdisciplinarity among members of the project team is highly desirable. Each proposal must have an identified Principal Investigator (PI). The full administrative and fiscal responsibility and management of the project resides with the Principal Investigator named in the award.
• Project teams are encouraged to include external partners, as appropriate, e.g.  universities, government agencies, bilateral agencies, civil society organizations and/or private sector partners. 
• Projects must engage relevant communities in the project’s design and implementation.
• Projects may be focused on launching new initiatives or accelerating and scaling existing projects.
• Projects must seek to advance gender equity and racial justice.
• Projects must include plans to engage undergraduate and/or graduate students.

Columbia World Projects Impact Awards are available at two funding levels: 

• Impact Awards: Up to three projects will be selected to receive between $750,000 and $5,000,000 over a period of two to five years (with an annual funding ceiling of $1,000,000). CWP will provide support for project design, management, evaluation and strategic positioning. Recipients will be required to engage with CWP by participating in CWP programming and submitting regular financial and programmatic reports. 
• Early Concept Awards: Selected proposals will receive between $25,000 and $50,000 for a period of up to two years. Recipients will receive targeted support from CWP and be required to submit regular financial and programmatic reports to CWP.

Recipients of both types of awards will be invited to participate in CWP’s network to share findings and engage in events and discussions focused on the Fourth Purpose, Columbia University's mission of using university research to advance human welfare and confront the great challenges of our time.  

Key Deadlines:

The deadline to submit an expression of interest has passed. The deadline for final proposal submissions is July 19, 2022.

Expressions of interest submitted before the June 14 deadline are currently being processed. Faculty and research scientists who submitted an expression of interest ahead of the deadline will be contacted soon with more information about next steps.

Award announcements will be made in September 2022, with programmatic activities scheduled to launch at the start of the 2022-2023 academic year. 

Who Can Propose Projects?  

Columbia University faculty and research scientists from all disciplines are encouraged to propose projects.

• Principal Investigators must be full-time faculty members and/or research scientists at Columbia University and must have the support of their school, institute or center’s most senior administrative leadership (e.g., dean or director). Faculty and/or research scientists may serve as Principal Investigator on only one proposal.

Proposal Requirements: 

A PDF outlining all proposal components and questions is available here. A completed proposal package includes the following: 

• Project abstract
• Project narrative
• Budget narrative and budget template 
• Workplan 
• Letter of support from school, institute or center’s most senior administrative leadership (e.g. dean or director)
• External partner letter of support
• Organizational chart reflecting team

Templates and Resources:

Templates that must be filled out alongside a completed proposal, as well as a document that offers theory of change guidance, are included below:

• Project workplan template
• Budget template
• Budget narrative template 
• Theory of change guidance

Review Process:

Proposals will be evaluated by a review group established specifically for this purpose. Proposals will be scored based on established criteria that include: strength of the proposed idea/solution, the potential for achieving impact, the level of innovation and ambition, interdisciplinarity, student involvement, partnerships and community engagement, and the promise for scalability and sustainability.