DU Grand Challenges kicked off the year with big announcements including collaboration and funding opportunities through Collective Impact Cohorts, new Advancing Community Engaged (ACE) Student Scholarship grants, and a fresh set of Forums focusing on topics related to increasing economic opportunities in our communities.

Faculty, staff, students, and community members gathered in Anderson Academic Commons on September 20 to jump into the second year of DU Grand Challenges, which is focused on building aspirations for increasing economic opportunities as well as moving towards actions to improve daily living in our communities.

Chancellor Chopp talks about the next year of DU Grand Challenges

Chancellor Chopp welcomed attendees and CCESL Director, Anne DePrince, invited faculty, staff, students, and community members to apply for a Collective Impact Cohort. Building upon what was learned in the aspirations’ phase of improving daily living, the actions phase will occur through a structured, facilitated collective impact process that authentically engages communities. Collective Impact Cohorts will involve community members in addition to DU faculty, staff, and students working on issues of migration, urban sustainability, crime & safety, and housing & food insecurity.

CCESL Associate Director, Cara DiEnno, highlighted opportunities to help build aspirations for increasing economic opportunities in our communities through a number of avenues including:

• Advancing Community Engaged (ACE) Student Scholarship Grants
• DU Grand Challenges Faculty Scholars Grants
• DU Grand Challenges Economic Opportunity Forums
• …and more. A full suite of opportunities can be found on the DU Grand Challenges website.

The Kick-Off event concluded with time for networking and conversation over drinks and appetizers. Check out the Bridge article for more information about the DU Grand Challenges Kick Off here.