Co-Production of Knowledge Grant Overview

The Co-Production of Knowledge Initiative is home to two grant programs. Both programs grew out of the conviction that there is a fundamental need for active and equal partnerships of Indigenous and historically marginalized communities with academia in research and advocacy. Grant projects support efforts towards the redistribution of power and resources to counteract historically unequal research dynamics. 

Community-Driven Co-Production of Climate Knowledge Small Grant

Announced in fall 2023, this grant funds collaborative climate projects between community members and Columbia University affiliates. Funds support climate change projects that foster community and mutually beneficial collaboration in line with this vision. See the call for application for more details. 

Created as part of the Community-Driven Co-Production Earth Network (funded by the Columbia Climate School). 

Co-Production of Knowledge Grant

Announced in fall 2024, this grant program is not limited to climate-based co-production projects. Additionally, the needs of the community partner were further centered, funds were directly awarded to the community organization, and the Columbia affiliate served in an affiliate role. In the inaugural year of the grant, the focus was on the process of co-producing knowledge, rather than any products resulting from the collaboration. 

Funded by the Mellon Foundation. 

2024 Co-Production of Knowledge Grants Awardees

Recipients

  • Community Organization: Kawerak
  • Stacey Lucason, Tribal Research Coordinator at Kawerak
  • Nora Neiminski, Coastal Hazards Program Manager at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources
  • Margaret Rudolf, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
  • Hailey Scofield, Climate Change Mitigation Director at Kawerak
  • Casey Brayton, Graduate Student in Earth and Environmental Sciences

Description

  • Supports community-led monitoring of and response to coast erosion, flooding, and permafrost thaw in Shishmaref, Alaska.
  • Data will be integrated with oral histories and historical information from community members to build a database of flooding impact and inform climate adaptation strategies. 

2023 Community-Driven Co-Production of Climate Knowledge Small Grant Awardees

Recipients

  • Selene Galindo, Filmaker
  • Renata Ruiz Figueroa, Graduate Student in Latin American and Iberian Cultures

Description

  • Supports knowledge-sharing sessions and screenings at the Sierra O'dam gio Art Film Circuit.
  • Screenings will envision potential futures in response to climate change.
  • Sessions will explore the local and spatial history of agriculture, trade, and war in O'dam, Mexico.

Recipients

  • Annie Carforo, Climate Justice Campaigns Coordinator at WE ACT for Environmental Justice
  • Rex Koenig, Undergraduate Student in Sustainable Development

Description

  • Supports the expansion of community-led workshops on climate justice and disaster preparedness in Northern Manhattan.
  • Residents will have the opportunity to share current experiences with climate-related disasters and collaboratively build resilience for future disasters. 

Recipients

  • Lucas Cidreira, Co-Coordinator at Ilé Axé Torrun Gunan temple
  • Reginaldo de Oliveira, Co-Coordinator at Ilé Axé Torrun Gunan temple
  • Rafael Mota, Co-Coordinator at Ilé Axé Torrun Gunan temple
  • Chazelle Rhoden, Graduate Student in Anthropology

Description

  • Creating a digital archive documenting the ecological relations between urban forest ecosystems and practitioners of the Candomblé religion in Brazil.
  • Studies the connection between forests, ritual, religion, and climate.
  • Funds will also support native tree planting and nursery maintenance.

Recipients

Description

  • Fosters and facilitates small-scale agricultural production practices rooted in Indigenous understandings of sustainability.
  • Documents experiences in Monumento Natural, Dominican Republic through workshops, community gatherings, and oral history projects. 
  • Knowledge gathered will be transformed into educational materials. 

Recipients

  • Joe Baker, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Lenape Center 
  • Rachel Talbert, Lecturer in Early Childhood Education 

Description

  • Supports the completion and dissemination of a land-based curriculum for K-12 classrooms. 
  • Lessons help students understand what it means to live on Lenape Land/s and future opportunities for better land stewardship and climate change mitigation. 
  • Funds will support a community learning day and teacher outreach.