Maxwell-Lutz Community Impact Award
About this award
The Maxwell-Lutz Community Impact Award is an interdisciplinary research award jointly sponsored by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS), the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS), and the College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences (CEIAS). The goal of this award is to support interdisciplinary collaboration and research to improve the health, well-being, and vitality of global communities and cultural systems; and improve environmental sustainability. Up to $5,000 annually may be awarded to one team or shared by multiple teams.
Applications have closed for 2023 but 2024 information will be posted soon.
Project proposal requirements
To be considered for funding, a project proposal, developed and submitted by one or more faculty members, must include the following:
- A substantive and verifiable community impact.
- An interdisciplinary collaboration that includes faculty or students from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences in coordination with faculty and students from the College of Engineering, Informatics and Applied Sciences, and/or the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences.
- Participation of one or more undergraduate or graduate students.
The proposal should address how the project effectively integrates any two of the following:
- Improves the health and well-being of local and/or global communities.
- Improves the vitality of community or cultural systems
- Improves environmental sustainability
Preference will be given to proposals for projects that are interdisciplinary and cross-departmental.
Team members for the selected projects will be designated Maxwell-Lutz fellows.
How to apply Accordion Closed
Submit your proposal with the following information in our online application form.
Project information
- Project title
- Project outline
- Describe the project (300 words or less).
- List the faculty leader(s) of this project and contact information.
- List the top three goals of the project and how success will be measured for each goal.
- If this project is a standalone project, describe its intended benefit for the intended community (200 words or less).
- If the project is intended to support another ongoing project or thesis, describe the project and how funds would make a significant difference to the success of the other project and the benefit for the intended community (200 words or less).
Student information
- List the role of students in the project
- Provide the name, major, college, NAU user ID, and class year (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student) of the students participating in the proposed project.
- If this project supplements another project or thesis, provide the title of the project or thesis and the name of the principals and departments involved.
Budget information
- Provide a budget outline for the project, including the total amount requested, justification, and a breakdown by categories. Allowable categories include student wage/graduate stipend (limited to 60% of the request), equipment, supplies, and travel.
Review process
Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of one representative from SBS, CEIAS, CEFNS, and one community member.
Post-award process
- Student participants will present the results of the project and what they learned at an event or meeting—such as the Northern Arizona University Undergraduate Expo.
- Faculty participants will prepare a post-project report that includes an evaluation of its outcomes in relation to proposed community impacts and project goals, and a complete list of expenditures. The report will be shared with the selection committee and founders within 90 days of the completed funding period.
Past award recipients Accordion Closed
2022 “Care for Nahádzáán for Engineers (“Care for Mother Earth”)”
Dr. Melanie Hildebrandt-SBS, Dr. Stefanie Kunze-SBS, Mark Lamer-CEIAS, Hannah Thelen, M.S. Civil Engineering Student
2021 “Strong Roots: Planning and Building a Community Health Clinic in Mexicali, Baja California, Mexico”
Paola Michel Silva-SBS, Leopoldo Beltran-CEIAS, Peter Friederici-SBS, Dr. Janine Schipper-SBS, Dr. John Tingerthal-CEIAS
2020 “Identifying Challenges and Opportunities for Designing Culturally Relevant Behavioral Health Interventions for Hopi Youth”
Shelby Hagermman-CEIAS, Simone Richardson-SBS, Dr. Alisse Ali-Joseph-SBS, Dr. Darold Joseph-COE, Dr. Morgan Vigil-Hayes-CEIAS
2019 “Community-based waste management project in Chitete-Kasungu Municipality, Malawi”
Joseph Amazuwa Chirwa-SBS, Dr. Dianne McDonnell-CEIAS
2018 “Promoting Education and Elephants in a rural Zambian Community”
Kaitlyn Henry-CEFNS, Samantha Hershowitz-CEFNS, Tyler Tuengel-CEFNS, Nate Gordon-CEFNS, Railyn Stokes-SBS, Dr. Faith Walker-CEFNS, Dr. Carol Chambers-CEFNS, and Dr. Alan Lew-SBS
2017 “Prioritizing Ecological Restoration Sites for Educational Purposes”
Adam Bringhurst-CEFNS, Samantha Dinning-SBS, Olivia Camping-SBS, Dr. Rand Decker-CEFNS, Dr. Wilbert Odem-CEFNS, Dr. James Bowie-SBS, and Mark Manone-SBS
2016 “PICES Project – Pilot Intervention of Culturally-Responsive Exercise System”
Christopher Frank-CEFNS, Annalee Boyle-CEFNS, Jeff Morrison-CEFNS, Ashley Averett-SBS, Anna Harris-SBS, Dr. Sara Jarvis-CEFNS, and Dr. Melissa Birkett-SBS