Community-Academic Research Network

The Community-Academic Research Network (CAR-Net) is a virtual entity that involves a broad array of community organizations and academic researchers interested in conducting and disseminating collaborative research in the city of Detroit. [Click here to access the CAR-Net Directory]

The goals are to:

  • Facilitate information sharing and expand communications about research interests and opportunities;
  • Develop linkages and collaborative partnerships between academic researchers and community organizations; and
  • Provide capacity building and ongoing support for conducting collaborative research.

Benefits of joining include: 

  • Opportunities to meet and potentially work with community organizations and academic researchers who wish to improve the health and well-being of Detroiters through collaborative research.
  • Access to electronic resources including newsletters, funding opportunities, research findings, and a resource guide that will help academic researchers and community organizations connect. 
  • Opportunities to apply for Small Collaborative Research Planning Grants.
  • Mentoring opportunities with URC community and academic partners to learn about and receive support for how to engage in collaborative research.
  • Assistance from Detroit URC staff:URC Partner Meeting
    • To connect with other community and/or academic researchers interested in collaborative research;
    • To pursue funding opportunities for collaborative research projects; and
    • To develop communications tools (e.g. fact sheets and policy briefs) for translating and disseminating collaborative research findings.
  • Opportunities to participate in workshops and learning institutes aimed at enhancing capacity to conduct collaborative research.
  • Opportunities to receive scholarships (for community organizations), for a week-long short course on CBPR as part of the UM School of Public Health Graduate Summer Session in Epidemiology (Course: EPID 783).

Being a member entails:

  • Potentially pursuing new community-academic research projects in the city of Detroit aimed at improving health and well-being and reducing health disparities.
    URC Meeting
  • Posting a profile of your organization or academic background in the Network Directory.
  • Promoting and/or applying for the Detroit URC’s Small Collaborative Research Planning Grants.
  • Participating, as desired, in workshops and learning activities aimed at enhancing capacity to conduct collaborative research.
  • Assisting with providing linkages to other community organizations and/or academic researchers that could be involved in collaborative research partnerships.
  • Encouraging other community organizations and/or academic researchers to explore collaborative research opportunities and participate in Detroit URC workshops and learning activities.