Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund

Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund is sponsored by The University of British Columbia. This fund fills small resource gaps and acknowledges the work of community groups that partner with UBC, especially for projects advancing equity and justice through reciprocal community engagement.

Apply for the 2026 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund - Community Engagement Community Engagement’s 2024 Annual Report Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund Community Engagement Network UBC Connects at Robson Square Community Engagement Table Canadian Carnegie Community Engagement Classification Community Engagement at UBC What is Community Engagement & Why is it Important?

Towards a CE Framework at UBC Community Partner Help Desk Financial Compensation for Community Partners Toolkit Community Engagement at UBC Okanagan President’s Community Roundtables Submit an event or story for our newsletter » Home » Uncategorized » Apply for the 2026 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund Apply for the 2026 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund Participants gather on field trip at Joint Nations Grizzly Bear Summit, a project supported by the PRE Fund in 2024 (Photo credit: UBC Studios) Get up to $1,500 for community-university collaboration and relationship building.

The Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund awards up to $1,500 to support small, early-stage partnerships that strengthen reciprocal relationships between UBC and community organizations. Funding is intended to fill small but meaningful resource gaps so community partners can build reciprocal relationships with UBC faculty, staff, and students.

In alignment with UBC’s Strategic Directions 2025–2030, the fund prioritizes initiatives that generate societal impact, advance sustainability and justice, and improve access to knowledge through collaborative research, teaching, and learning.

Strong PRE proposals typically demonstrate several of the following: Respond to an identified community need Advance reciprocal, mutually beneficial engagement Fill a small resource gap that enables collaboration Advance research, scholarship and/or teaching with a focus on societal impact Improve community access to UBC research, teaching, or learning resources Support a sustainable, just society Supporting new and existing partners Building on the success of our earlier “Partnership Recognition” Fund, the PRE fund invites both new and existing partners to apply.

Applying for CUES funding? PRE funding can also be linked to proposals for the Community-University Engagement Support (CUES) Fund . Co-applicants may use PRE funds to test, design or explore a CUES application.

Some restrictions apply.

Each application must include two applicants who are the main points of contact for the proposal: a co-applicant that represents an eligible BC-based community partner (principal community applicant) and a co-applicant that is a current UBC faculty*, staff, or student* at either UBC Vancouver or Okanagan (principal UBC applicant) *Please note that if you are a student or post-doctoral fellow applying for CUES funding, you must ensure that a current UBC faculty member is willing to co-sign your project.

If you are an adjunct, clinical, sessional, or lecturer, you must hold an appointment that extends through the full duration of the project, including the submission of the final report. Eligible community partners can be a registered charity , a qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or a non-profit society.

If additional partners beyond the two co-applicants will be involved in the proposed work, please indicate this in the project and partnership/relationship description sections in the online application form. The PRE fund is not able to support projects outside of Canada. Please contact us if you are not sure if you should apply.

Who receives the funding? Funds are intended to go directly to community partner organizations. However, if the community partner is not a qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) project funds can be issued to the UBC partner on the community partner’s behalf.

If you are not certain how funds can/should be distributed for your project, please contact us to discuss potential options. What are the PRE Fund criteria?

Strong PRE fund applications will indicate how they will address the following criteria: Respond to a community-identified need Advance reciprocal, mutually beneficial community-university engagement that supports equity, Indigenous engagement and reconciliation, health innovation and community wellbeing, sustainability and climate action, or teaching, learning, and research excellence.

Fill a small resource gap that enables collaboration Improves access to UBC research, teaching and learning resources. Advances research, scholarship and/or teaching Supports a sustainable, just society Please also review the eligible budget expenses under the ‘How may funds be used? ’ and ‘What can funds NOT be used for?

’ FAQ (see below). To apply, submit an application using the online form below to describe the project and partnership, how funds will be used and when, and the intended outcomes or objectives. Submit an online application .

Applications will be accepted by UBC Community Engagement until December 31, 2026 or until available funds are exhausted. How much money is available? The funding envelope is $50,000 PRE funds are intended to go to the community partners to fill a resource gap in their partnership with UBC.

In general, it is expected that projects will start within 60 days of being funded and that funds will be used within six months of the project start date.

Possible activities might include ones that: Build or share skills through workshops, training, experiential learning, asset-based skill building, etc. Build or share knowledge through events, dialogues, engaged research, toolkits, etc. Recognize or celebrate achievements through awards, debriefs, appreciation/evaluation, etc. Extend or deepen engagement through community mapping, artistic or creative events, public forums, network building, etc. Inform the development and planning for a CUES proposal (please note funds may not be used to cover direct costs for drafting a CUES application).

Funds can be used to cover costs that are integral to these activities.

Some examples include: Honoraria and stipends (see ineligible costs related to wages and salaries, and hiring UBC students) Transportation or delivery costs Facilities and space rental Publications and printing materials Costs for community partners and community members to attend events Note that these are just examples, and we invite you to submit expenses that meet the needs of your work.

Please contact us and we will be happy to talk this through with you. What can funds NOT be used for? The following activities are outside the scope of this fund: Activities that do not include at least one community partner organization and a current UBC student, faculty, or staff.

Payment of UBC salaries or wages, including paying for the drafting of a CUES application Core operational costs for community organizations Fees for UBC faculty, students, or staff to attend conferences, events, etc. Expenses that include alcoholic beverages Projects that have been supported by PRE funding in the same year Funding that flows directly to an individual (PRE funds are intended to go to partner organizations) Projects outside of Canada Do I need to provide a report at the conclusion of our project?

Yes. Partners are asked to submit a report within one month of wrap-up. We are flexible if you require longer than one month to share back.

There are several ways you can submit a report: Option 1: Short Written Submission A brief description of who was involved, what happened, what needs were filled or impacts made. A conversation with UBC CE staff to share what happened and any learnings from the work together. This can be with both or either partner as appropriate.

Your project may already be creating documentation of what happened and the learnings through a report, research, event, video, etc. We would be happy to receive/participate in what you’re already creating as your end-of-project submission. Can I apply to the PRE Fund more than once? We can fund each project or partnership once per year.

If you are not sure if you qualify, please contact us . Individual applicants can apply more than once as long as the application is related to different projects/partnerships. Please also consider applying for funds through the Community-University Engagement Support Fund .

How long does it take to fully process an application and fund an approved project? We aim to notify co-applicants within 2-3 weeks of submission. Funding an approved proposal takes a minimum of 30 days once an application is approved.

Please keep this timeline in mind when you are applying for events that take place on a specific date. We are not able to fund project expenses retroactively. How do I receive funding?

What information needs to be on the invoice? Do you have a sample invoice? As part of the approval notice by email, successful applicants will receive a link to complete a Letter of Agreement (LOA) and an invoice template.

Each invoice should include: The name of the organization that will receive the funds Contact information for the main point of contact related to financing the project Charitable number or GST number for the organization The funding amount that was approved. We will provide a sample invoice for all PRE Fund recipients as part of the approval package. LOAs require electronic or written signatures of each co-applicant.

If the community partner is not a qualified donee listed by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) project funds can be issued to the UBC partner on the community partner’s behalf. If you are not certain how funds can/should be distributed for your project, please contact us to discuss potential options.

2026 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund Application Form " * " indicates required fields Amount of Funding Requested * $1,500 max Proposed Start Date (yyyy-mm-dd) * Note: projects must start within 60 days of project approval Proposed End Date (yyyy-mm-dd) * Project length: up to 6 months Community Co-Applicant Information Community Co-Applicant Name * This will be the main community partner contact for your PRE Fund application.

Community Co-Applicant Organization * Community Co-Applicant Department or Program (optional) Please only identify a department or program if it is relevant to the proposed project or activities. Community Co-Applicant Email * This will be the main method of communication about your PRE Fund application. Please ensure this email address is correct.

Community Co-Applicant Phone Community Organization Eligibility * Is the community partner organization involved in this proposal a qualified donee according to the Canada Revenue Agency? If you do not know if the community organization is an eligible donee, please contact partner. fund@ubc.

ca to discuss potential options. If the community partner is not an eligible donee, project funds can be issued to the UBC partner on the community partner’s behalf. UBC Co-Applicant Information UBC Co-Applicant Name * This will be the main UBC contact person for your PRE Fund application.

UBC Co-Applicant Email * This will be the main method of communication for your PRE Fund application. Please ensure the email is correct. UBC Affiliation (Faculty, Staff, Student) Post-Baccalaureate/Professional UBC Co-Signer/Supervisor * UBC Supervisor for your PRE Fund application.

Please note that if you are a student or post-doctoral fellow applying for CUES funding, you must ensure that a current UBC faculty member is willing to co-sign your project. If you are an adjunct, clinical, sessional, or lecturer, you must hold an appointment that extends through the full duration of the project, including the submission of the final report. UBC Co-Signer/Supervisor Email * Please ensure the email is correct.

UBC Vancouver Faculty/Portfolio * – Alma Mater Society (AMS) Applied Science, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Business, Sauder School of Dentistry, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Graduate Student Society (GSS) Land and Food Systems, Faculty of Law, Peter A.

Allard School of Medicine, Faculty of Office of the University Counsel Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of President and Vice-Chancellor Provost and Vice-President, Academic Science, Faculty of UBC Library Vice-President, Development and Alumni Engagement Vice-President, External Relations Vice-President, Finance & Operations Vice-President, Health Vice-President, Human Resources Vice-President, Research and Innovation Vice-President, Students Other UBC Okanagan Faculty/Portfolio * – Applied Science, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Irving K.

Barber Faculty of Creative and Critical Studies, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Graduate Studies, College of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Management, Faculty of Medicine, Faculty of Okanagan Library Principal and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, UBC Okanagan Provost and Vice-President, Academic, UBC Okanagan Science, Irving K.

Barber Faculty of Vice-President, Development and Alumni Engagement Vice-President, External Relations Vice-President, Finance & Operations Vice-President, Research and Innovation Vice-President, Students Other Other Faculty/Portfolio If you selected ‘other’ in the drop down menu above, please indicate what faculty/portfolio with which you are affiliated.

Other UBC Vancouver Affiliations If you hold other affiliations within your faculty or portfolio that are relevant to this PRE Fund proposal, please select below. A drop box will appear for each category you select. UBC Department, Unit, or Club Other UBC Okanagan Affiliations If you hold other affiliations within your faculty or portfolio that are relevant to this PRE Fund proposal, please select below.

A drop box will appear for each category you select. UBC Department, Unit, or Club UBC Vancouver School or College – Accessibility, Centre for Anthropology, Museum of Applied Ethics, W.

Maurice Young, Centre for Applied Mathematics, Institute of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, School of Asian Research, Institute of (IAR) Audiology and Speech Sciences, School of Beaty Biodiversity Museum Biodiversity Research Centre Biomedical Engineering, School of Blood Research, Centre for British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) Canadian International Resources and Development Institute Climate Justice, Centre for (CCJ) Community and Regional Planning, School of Community Engaged Learning, Centre for Critical Indigenous Studies, Institute for Cross-Faculty Inquiry in Education, Centre for Disease Control, UBC Centre for English Language Institute European Studies, Centre for First Nations House of Learning Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice, Institute for Green College Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Centre for (CHHM) Human Settlements, Centre for Inclusion and Citizenship, Canadian Institute for (CIIC) India and South Asia Research, Centre for (CISAR) Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre Information, School of Irving K.

Barber Learning Centre Journalism, Writing, and Media, School of Kinesiology, School of Liu Institute for Global Issues Migration Studies, Centre for (CMS) Mining Engineering, Norman B.

Keevil Institute of Mood Disorders Centre Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery Music, School of Nursing, School of Oceans and Fisheries, Institute for the Pharmacists Clinic Physical Activity Research Centre Population and Public Health, School of Public Policy and Global Affairs, School of Repair Discoveries, International Collaboration on Resources, Environment and Sustainability, Institute for Robert H.

Lee Graduate School Social Work, School of St.

John's College Student Involvement & Careers, Centre for Study of Democratic Institutions, Centre for the Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm, Centre for (CSFS) Teaching, Learning and Technology, Centre for UBC Botanical Gardens UBC Emeritus College UBC Engineering UBC Vantage College Vancouver School of Economics Wine Research Centre (WRC) Other UBC Vancouver School or College (other) * UBC Okanagan School or College – Biodiversity, Resilience & Ecosystem Services, Okanagan Institute for (BRAES) Chronic Disease Prevention And Management, Centre for Community Engaged Research, Institute for Culture and Technology, Centre for (CCT) Education, Okanagan School of Engineering, School of Environmental Assessment Research, Centre for FINA Gallery Green Construction Research and Training Centre (GCRTC) Health and Exercise Sciences, School of Health Behaviour Change, Centre for (CHBC) Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, Institute for (IHLCDP) Heart, Lung & Vascular Health, Centre for (CHLVH) Inclusion and Citizenship, Canadian Institute for (CIIC) Innovative Learning, Centre Materials and Manufacturing Research Institute (MMRI) Mindful Engagement, Centre for Nursing, School of Obesity and Well-being Research Excellence, Centre for Optimization, Convex Analysis and Non-Smooth Analysis, Centre for (COCANA) Social Work, School of Spaces and Things, Research Studio for (RSST) Study of Services to Children and Families, Centre for the (CSSCF) Teaching and Learning, Centre for The Commons Wine Research Centre (WRC) Writing and Scholarly Communication, Centre for Other UBC Okanagan School or College (other) * UBC Vancouver Department or Unit – Accounting and Information Systems, Division of alumni UBC Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Department of Anthropology, Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory, Department of Asian Library Asian Studies, Department of Athletics & Recreation Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Botany, Department of Campus + Community Planning Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Department of Central Eastern Northern European Studies, Department of Ceremonies and Events Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Department of CiTR Radio 101.

9FM & Discorder Magazine Civil Engineering, Department of Communications Community Engagement Computer Science, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Department of Dean, Office of the Dermatology and Skin Science, Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education, Department of Educational Studies, Department of Educational Technology Support Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of English Language & Literatures, Department of Enrolment Services and Registrar Entrepreneurship & Innovation Group Equity and Inclusion Office Experiential Education, Office of Face Drama Club Facilities Family Practice, Department of Finance Finance, Division of Forest Resources Management, Department of Forest Sciences, Department of French, Hispanic, & Italian Studies, Department of Geography, Department of give UBC Government Relations Health and Wellbeing History, Department of Language and Literacy Education, Department of Law & Business Communications Group Learning Exchange Linguistics, Department of Marketing & Behavioural Science, Division of Materials Engineering, Department of Mathematics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy, Department of Okanagan Operations & Advising Operations and Logistics, Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Department of Oral Biological and Medical Sciences, Department of Oral Health Sciences, Department of Organizational Behaviour and Human Resources, Division of Orthopaedics, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Department of Philosophy, Department of Physical Therapy, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Political Science, Department of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, Department of Radiology, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections Real Estate Division Regional and International Community Engagement, Office of (ORICE) Sociology, Department of Statistics, Department of Strategy and Business Economics, Division of Student Engagement Student Health Services Student Housing & Community Services Subsidiaries Sulong UBC Surgery, Department of Sustainability Hub Teacher Education, Department of Theatre and Film, Department of UBC Cancer Association UBC Extended Learning UBC Food Services UBC Health UBC Human Resources UBC IT Services UBC Okanagan Residences UBC Pension Administration Office UBC Recreation UBC Robson Square UBC Shine On Music UBC Vancouver Residences UBC Wellbeing Urologic Sciences, Department of Wood Science, Department of WUSC-UBC X̱wi7x̱wa Library Zoology, Department of Other UBC Vancouver Department or Unit (other) * UBC Okanagan Department or Unit – Academic & Career Advising Academic Programs, Teaching and Learning Athletics Biology, Department of Business Operations Campus Internationalization Campus Operations and Risk Management Career Development Ceremonies and Events Chemistry, Department of Communications and Engagement Communications and Marketing Community, Culture and Global Studies, Department of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics, Department of Creative Studies, Department of Dean, Office of the Earth, Environmental and Geographic Sciences, Department of Economics, Philosophy and Political Science, Department of English and Cultural Studies, Department of Enrolment Services Entrepreneurship@UBCO Equity and Inclusion Office Faculty Affairs Finance Global Engagement Office History and Sociology, Department of Indigenous Programs & Services Infrastructure Development Innovation UBC Hub International Student Initiative IT Okanagan Languages and World Literatures, Department of Learning Services Office of Campus Planning Office of Research Services Planning and Institutional Research Psychology, Department of Public Affairs Recreation Sexual Violence Prevention & Response Office Special Collections and Archives Special Projects Strategic Projects Strategy Student Experience Office Student Learning Hub Student Wellness Survive and Thrive Applied Research (STAR) University-Industry Liaison Office (UILO) Other UBC Okanagan Department or Unit (other) * Additional Project Partners Please list any additional project partners Please list any additional community or UBC project partners.

Please include first name, last name, title and affiliation (organization or faculty). Activities and Partnership Short Project Description * Describe what you plan to do.

Briefly explain (1) the community-identified need, and (2) how this project advances reciprocal, mutually beneficial community-engagement (max 400 words or less; bullet points welcome ) Partnership/Relationship Description * Tell us briefly about the context and/or history of your new or ongoing community-university relationship or partnership. What brought the two partners together?

(max 100 words or less): Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) How have you considered equity, diversity, and inclusion in the design of this project and partnership (e.g., barriers to participation, accessibility, cultural safety, decision-making, recognition of contributions)?

(max 200 words) Resource Gaps * What resource gap will this project help fill, and how will that strengthen the community’s or organization’s ability to collaborate with UBC? (max 100 words) Which of the additional objectives does your project align with?

To be a good fit, you must address at least 2 of these 3 objectives Advances research, scholarship and /or teaching Supports a sustainable, just society Advances research, scholarship and /or teaching * Please briefly describe how your project advances research, scholarship and /or teaching (max 100 words). What is being advanced (e.g., new knowledge, applied research, teaching innovation, student learning)?

What societal impact do you expect? Improves community access to UBC (max 100 words). * Please briefly describe how your project improves community access to UBC (max 100 words) What barriers exist now?

What specific UBC resource(s) become more accessible? Supports a sustainable, and just society * Please describe how your project supports a sustainable, and just society (max 100 words). Proposed Project Budget * Please list all PRE-funded expenses and show how you estimated each cost.

For every entry, include the expense type/category, the estimated budget amount ($), and brief notes that justify how you arrived at the figure (e.g., quantity assumptions and unit cost such as “3 sessions × 10 participants per session x $15 per person for food,” or a vendor quote/unit price). Add new rows as needed by clicking the plus (+) symbol.

Additional Notes (Optional) In-Kind Expenses Are there any in-kind expenses that should be considered as part of the assessment of your PRE Fund application? In-Kind Expense Datails Please include below any important in-kind expenses you would like considered as part of the assessment of your application. Add new rows as needed.

External Additional Funding Will you be seeking additional funding beyond $1,500 from another source? Additional Funding Request If you answered “yes” above, please indicate what amount of additional funds are you are seeking and describe what those would be used for (max 100 words) Shareable Products and Public Events (if applicable) Will your project team do any of the following in the course of your project?

Create products or materials that can be shared with or promoted by UBC Community Engagement Hold public events that can be promoted by UBC Community Engagement or attended by our staff Dates of Public Events If you know of any upcoming public events, please share dates and event titles below (add new rows as needed). We want to make sure we have all the information we need to learn about your proposed project.

Please review your application before hitting “Submit. ” Is there anything else you would like to share about your project that wasn’t captured in the questions above? Explore previous recipients and read project reports.

Still have questions? Contact us at partner. fund@ubc.

ca . We acknowledge that UBC’s Vancouver campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the Musqueam people, and UBC’s Okanagan campus is situated in the territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation and their peoples.