Bring Your Community Project to SPARK
SPARK connects MSU students with community organizations and other health partners around meaningful, data-driven projects. If your organization has a health research, evaluation, communications, or related initiative that could benefit from student support, we invite you to share your idea with us.
What Types of Projects are a Good Fit?
From research to data visualization, students can contribute to a wide range of community projects.
Community Data Analysis
Analyze, organize, or summarize community health data to identify local trends, patterns, and disparities.
Program Evaluation
Assess the effectiveness, reach, or impact of a program, service, or outreach effort.
Needs Assessments
Gather and review information to understand community needs, resources, gaps, or priorities.
Research and Best Practice Reviews
Review existing research, evidence-based practices, and successful approaches related to a specific health or community topic.
Visual Resources
Create public-facing reports, dashboards, infographics, presentations, fact sheets, or other materials that make information easier to understand and use.
Survey and Data Collection Design
Develop surveys, interview guides, focus group questions, or other tools for collecting community input and research data.
How it Works
A simple process to connect community-defined projects with MSU students.
Submit your project idea.
Complete the Community Research Opportunity Submission Form to tell us about your organization, project, and the type of support you need.
We review the opportunity.
Submitted opportunities will be reviewed to better understand the project scope, timeline, student role, skills needed, and potential fit.
Students explore opportunities.
Approved opportunities are shared in the Community Research Opportunities Portal, where students can explore available projects.
Collaboration begins.
When a student expresses interest in a project, we will help connect the student, community partner, and any relevant faculty or project mentors to discuss next steps.
What makes a strong project submission?
A strong project submission includes a clear description of the community need, the type of student support requested, any expected timeline, and the skills that may be useful for the project. It is also helpful to identify what the student may produce by the end of the project, such as a report, presentation, dataset, literature review, evaluation summary, infographic, or other deliverable.
When can I expect to be connected with a student?
We aim to connect community organizations with interested students as soon as possible. The timing of a match will depend on student availability, qualifications, interests, and how well a student’s skills align with the needs of your project. Because these factors can vary throughout the academic year, we cannot guarantee a specific timeline, but we will work to identify a strong match when an appropriate student becomes available.