As part of the UM System’s 2023 Extension and Engagement Week, The UM System Office of Engagement and Missouri AfterSchool Network is excited to announce the creation of a collaborative research pitch competition with $25,000 in prizes available to support the creation or expansion of research projects focused on youth development and well-being.

To encourage statewide collaboration, research teams must have representation from at least two UM System Universities and/or MU Extension and at least one community partner.

Individuals interested in participating but in need of collaborators should send an overview of their area of interest and any relevant information to Nate Addington, UMKC’s Director of Community Engagement and Outreach, at naddington@umkc.edu. All reasonable efforts to pair you with additional team members will be made.

After an initial screening process, four finalist teams will be invited to Columbia, MO, to participate in an in-person research pitch competition at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, Oct. 24. Located at the Holiday Inn Executive Center, 2200 Interstate 70 Dr. SW, Columbia, MO 65203, Windsor Suites III and IV.

Pitches must not exceed 10 minutes in length and cannot include the use of visual aids or audio/visual components. Research teams interested in participating must submit a short application by Sept. 25, 2023.