While there is some funding built into the development of research reports, funding to support ongoing communications tasks is harder to come by.
The Consortium for Chicago School Research suggests ways to make the non-research aspects of the communications and engagement work “fundable,” including carving out a small portion of the funding from larger grants to fund talks, presentations, and collateral material (e.g., brochures and printed guides). However, RPPs must also broaden the range of funders, including those who may not fund the research but will fund activities to engage stakeholders and the public on the research findings and their implications for change efforts. Similarly, RPPs may reach out to local businesses or investors that have an interest in the issues studied by the partnership and are interested in increasing awareness of the issues or supporting strategies to address the issues.
