Catalyst Grants

Overview

McMaster’s Office of Community Engagement offers small catalyst grants to McMaster University faculty, staff, students and their community partners through the Community-Campus Catalyst Grant Fund. Grants are available in two streams:  

  • Early-Stage Catalyst grants in amounts of up to $1000, and
  • New in 2026, Partnership Development grants in amounts of up to $2500

The goal of the Community-Campus Catalyst Fund is to support community-campus partnerships that align with the goals of McMaster’s Community Engagement Strategic Plan. Reflecting on this goal, proposals that involve collaborative projects with community partners working towards mutual benefit ​and pursuing outcomes aligned with McMaster’s community engagement goals and objectives will be prioritized for funding. Funding cannot be applied towards equipment, conference travel, or ongoing initiatives.

Information Box Group

2026 Application are open on May 1, 2026!

Expandable List

Early-stage partnership grants are available to those who are working together for the first time, or within a first project or initiative.

Partnership Development grants are available to support ongoing work within a previously established partnership, in the spirit of the Principle of Continuity.

Any application must be developed as a community-campus partnership and must include: 

  • At least one community partner from within the Hamilton area
  • At least, but not limited to, a program, department, or formal initiative that includes one of the following: 
    • faculty member
    • staff member
    • student 

Catalyst grants: requirements and expectations for transfer of funds

  • Campus partner has access to departmental support to receive a transfer through internal transfer account
  • Community partner will invoice the Office of Community Engagement.
  • Please note, direct transfers to individuals, including reimbursements, are not possible
  • End-of-year report is required

Partnership development grants: requirements and expectations for transfer of funds

  • Campus partner has access to departmental support to receive a transfer through Chatfield transfer, or, Community partner will invoice the office of Community Engagement.
  • Partners commit to 1-2 partnership consultations with Office of Community Engagement staff. 50% of funds can be transferred prior to first consultation, remaining funds will be transferred after first check- in.
  • Partnership Agreement and end-of-year report are required.

This fund has been developed to support the following partnerships: 

  • new community-campus partnerships 
  • partnerships in the early stages of development

Colleagues interested in these funds are asked to submit a proposal that includes specific mention of how the proposed idea: 

  1. Aligns with McMaster’s community engagement strategy vision, goals, and objectives.
  2. Aligns with at least one of the following areas: community-engaged research, community-engaged education, or service/volunteerism.
  3. Encourages collaboration between community partners, faculty members, staff, and students. 
  4. Has clear goals and anticipated outcomes. 
  5. Considers McMaster’s action-oriented principles of community engagement. 

Proposals must be submitted online through a Microsoft Form, and must include the following information: 

  • Title 
  • McMaster Principal Applicant (Name, Unit or Department, and Contact Information)  
  • Community Co-Applicant (Name, Partner Organization, and Contact Information)
  • Additional Collaborators (as appropriate)
  • Description of Proposed Activity (300 words) 
  • Project Goals and Anticipated Outcomes (350 words) 
  • Alignment with McMaster’s Community Engagement Strategy (200 words) 
  • Anticipated Outputs and Outcomes (200 words) 
  • Budget
  • Anticipated Timeline (work must be completed by April 30th 2027) 

Proposals are due by the end of the day (11:59 pm) on Monday, June 1st, 2026 to meet the first consideration deadline. Successful applicants will be notified beginning June 22nd, 2026. Project approvals will continue on an ongoing basis until all grant funds are exhausted.

Any work funded by this catalyst is expected to be completed by April 30th, 2027. Grantees will be expected to submit a short project report (2 pages max) following the completion of your work or initiative.

Catalyst Grant FAQs

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The following action-oriented principles were co-developed by community and University partners to inform our community-campus partnerships:

Relationships We can’t have community without relationships—these are the connections that build community. Any successful partnership must be built on trusting and respectful relationships guided by integrity. We realize that relationships take time to develop and thus we commit to providing opportunities to connect people across communities, sectors, and disciplines.
Reciprocity From design, to participation, to the outcomes of a project, we strive to work together for mutual benefit.
Equity We are conscious of the historical and structural inequities that exist in society and strive to provide access and opportunities to all residents and members of our communities.
Continuity Acknowledging that different communities work on different timelines and schedules, we strive to consider both the short and long-term implications of our work together.
Openness to Learning Change takes time. We are committed to continually learn from and evaluate our work together, reflecting on and sharing both our successes and failures to grow as individuals, partnerships, and communities.
Commitment to Act We aspire to make a positive difference in our community by sharing and acting on our knowledge to contribute to the greater social good.

In the past funded projects have included: research compensation for community participants (including gift cards and meals) event/workshops facilitation costs; opportunities to give back to community partners​

The Office of Community Engagement is committed to supporting and developing partnerships with social purpose entities, including not-for-profit organizations, the public sector, grassroots community groups or individuals, and Indigenous communities – particularly the Hamilton Urban Indigenous Community.

Funding cannot be applied towards equipment, conference travel, or ongoing initiatives​

Collaborative projects with new, and emerging community partners working towards mutual benefit ​and pursuing outcomes aligned with McMaster’s community engagement goals and objectives​

Catalyst Grant Past Recipients

To see past Catalyst Grant recipients, click to view our StoryMap.

View our StoryMap