“Engaged scholarship can be defined as scholarly activities focused on the social, civic, economic, educational, artistic, scientific, environmental, and cultural well-being of people and places beyond the academy. It involves the creation and dissemination of new knowledge to address social issues through collaborative relationships and shared activity between those in the university and those outside the university” (Campus Compact, 2022).
Purpose
The Eisman Award for Engaged Scholarship recognizes SFSU faculty whose research or creative work exemplifies excellence in community-engaged scholarship. Established in honor of Dr. Jerry Eisman, Professor Emeritus and former Director of ICCE, the award celebrates faculty whose scholarly or creative activities strengthen the university’s commitment to meaningful engagement and the public good.
Description
This award supports faculty whose work demonstrates reciprocal collaboration with communities and contributes to both disciplinary advancement and positive social impact. Projects may include community partnerships, participatory research, creative practice, or public scholarship that fosters connections between the university and broader communities of interest.
Grant Amount: Up to $4000.00
Awardees are recognized for excellence in community-engaged scholarship that advances disciplinary knowledge and contributes to the public good. Funds will be transferred to the applicant’s department, program, or school. For details on allowable and non-allowable costs, refer to the “Use of Funds” section.
Eligibility
Open to SFSU tenure-track, tenured, and lecturer faculty with a demonstrated record of community-engaged scholarship. Previous recipients may reapply after three years with a distinctly new or significantly advanced body of work.
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Scholarly or Creative Merit – Originality, rigor, and contribution to disciplinary knowledge
- Community Engagement and Collaboration – Depth of community engagement, responsiveness to community priorities, and evidence of ethical, reciprocal collaboration and co-production
- Social Impact, Benefits, and Public Relevance– Demonstrated impact for communities and broader public audiences, and contribution to the public good
- Budget Clarity & Justification – Clarity, appropriateness, and alignment of proposed use of funds to support or enhance the work, in accordance with SFSU and CSU policies
1. Project Overview
Briefly describe your current or ongoing engaged scholarship or creative work. What is the focus of your research or project? (Maximum 250 words)
2. Scholarly or Creative Merit
Explain how this work contributes to your discipline. What questions, goals, or creative objectives does it address?
(Maximum 350 words)
3. Community Engagement and Collaboration
Identify the community or partners involved. How have community needs shaped this work? Describe how partners are engaged in the design, implementation, or dissemination of your work, and how you ensure ethical and reciprocal collaboration.
(Maximum 350 words)
4. Social Impact, Benefits, and Public Relevance
Describe the impact of this work. How does it benefit communities and contribute to the public good? How are outcomes shared or disseminated?
(Maximum 300 words)
5. Budget and Use of Funds
Describe how the Eisman Award funds will support or enhance this work (e.g., student support, dissemination, partnership support, materials). All expenditures must align with SFSU and CSU policies.
(Maximum 250 words)
6. Optional: Additional Information
Include any additional information you believe strengthens your application (e.g., anticipated challenges, plans for sustainability, or future collaborations).
(Optional – Maximum 200 words)
Refer to the “Use of Funds” section on the Call to Service main page for full guidelines and allowable expenses.
Application Opens August 1, 2026
Eisman Award for Engaged Scholarship
Before you apply, confirm the following:
- Your work demonstrates community-engaged scholarship or creative activity
- Your project reflects reciprocal and mutually beneficial community partnerships
- You can clearly describe the impact on community and public good
- You have supporting materials or examples of your work, if applicable
- You have prepared a brief budget outlining how funds will support or extend the work
- You have reviewed the Eisman Award guidelines and criteria