The Asian American/Asian Research Institute is pleased to announce the launch of its inaugural state-wide grant initiative, the Community Researcher/Evaluator Incubator Program. The incubator program seeks to address critical gaps in policy research related to AANHPI communities, bridge the gap between academia and nonprofits, build capacity of nonprofit staff to lead policy research on AANHPI communities, increase knowledge of emerging and evolving needs of AANHPIs, and provide funding to AANHPI-serving nonprofits.
AANHPI-led nonprofits are in a unique position to address these gaps, given their existing relationships to and deep knowledge of their communities. This program is intended for nonprofit organizations without existing robust research/evaluation departments and would benefit from the resources offered by AAARI’s incubator program. We especially encourage applications from nonprofits serving underrepresented AANHPI communities (including, but not limited to, Southeast Asians, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other AANHPI communities for which little data exists).
The incubator program will provide ten AANHPI-serving CBOs throughout New York State with grants of $10,000 each to lead and conduct an eight-month research/evaluation project on AANHPI communities with policy impact.
ELIGIBILITY (must meet ALL):
- Nonprofit (or fiscally sponsored community organization) serving AANHPI communities.
- Based in New York State.
- Minimum of 4-year operating history.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS:
- $10,000 grant to lead a research/evaluation project on AANHPI communities that seeks to impact policies to improve the lives of AANHPIs in New York State.
- Workshops/training on research/evaluation topics. Topics will be determined based on the interests/needs of selected CBOs, & may include: how to use project findings/data to impact policy, research/evaluation methodologies, focus group & survey design/implementation/analysis, mixed methods research, data visualization/mapping, PhotoVoice, etc.
- Mentorship: Each organization will be matched with an expert in the field according to their needs, and can receive 10 hours of one-on-one consultation/mentorship on issues related to the research/evaluation project.
- Presentation: The program will culminate with a final event on 5/13/27 where awardees will present on their projects.
OPTIONAL PROGRAM COMPONENTS AVAILABLE TO AWARDEES:
- Data Visualization: Each organization may choose to utilize AAARI’s expert data visualization consultant to help visualize the organization’s data.
- Dissemination: Each organization may choose to receive additional assistance on dissemination of data/results.
- Tailored Technical Assistance: Each organization may choose to receive individualized technical assistance and additional training as needed to support their research/evaluation projects.
- Monthly Drop-In Office Hours: Each organization has access to drop-in hours to discuss project concerns/challenges & share progress/achievements with AAARI’s Research Director.
GRANT PERIOD: October 2026 to May 2027 (8 months)
DELIVERABLES:
- Interim Report due 1/15/27
- Final Report due 6/4/27
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
- Online application with 4 short answer questions (6,000 character limit, including spaces, for each question):
-
- Organization’s history/mission, including how it serves/centers AANHPI communities, which specific AANHPI communities & geographical areas it serves.
- Describe the research or evaluation project you will implement with the awarded grant. What support will you need to successfully complete the project & how will AAARI’s incubator program’s components assist you to meet those needs?
- Bios of project staff, demonstrating capacity to complete proposed projects.
- Describe policy impacts on AANHPI communities that you hope your project will have.
- Project Timeline
- Project Budget
- Organization’s 2026 Operating Budget, including total revenue & total expenses
- Organization’s Recent Form 990 (or fiscal sponsor’s 990)
- 3-5 Work Samples (e.g., annual reports, reports from previous projects, videos, photos, community testimonials, partner testimonials/support letters, media coverage, etc.)
APPLY HERE: https://tinyurl.com/aaaricreip
DEADLINE: Tuesday, 9/22/26 at 11:59 pm EST. NO EXCEPTIONS.
REVIEW PROCESS:
- Applications will be reviewed by a team including AAARI staff & board members.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
- Organizational mission/history
- Evidence of service/commitment to AANHPI communities
- Demonstrated history of implementing successful programs/projects serving AANHPIs
- Potential impact of proposed project on policies affecting AANHPI communities
