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2020-2021 Project Cities
Request for Proposals (RFP)

Project Cities program is now accepting applications from Arizona cities, towns, counties, tribal communities, and/or regional partnerships to be the partner for the Fall 2019-2020 Program Cycle. Partner communities benefit from thousands of hours of research and work by ASU students and faculty members, from a variety of disciplines, working to advance the community’s sustainability and community initiatives. This competitive selection process requires higher-level support from elected officials and key city staff, and payment of project fees to cover associated costs and ensure a successful partnership.

Deadline: Submissions will be accepted until Wednesday, 11/27, 5:00 p.m.

View the RFP Here

Useful RFP Resources:

Informational video

Project Cities is a university-community partnership. Through the program, ASU faculty and students pair with a city to co-create strategies for better environmental, economic and social balance in the places we live. Students from multiple disciplines research difficult problems chosen by the city and propose innovative sustainability solutions that enable the city to make progress toward a better future.

How to Become the Next Project Cities Partner

Step 1: Contact Project Cities Staff

If you’re interested in applying to be the next Project Cities Partner Community, connect with the Project Cities staff. Please notify us of your intent to apply, so we can support your efforts to build a winning application. Email: ProjectCities@asu.edu

Step 2: Attend an Informational Webinar and Seek an Individual Consultation

We WANT to work with you to develop your strongest RFP submission. We will host two informational webinars where we will review the program, go over some RFP tips/best practices, and discuss what we’re looking for in the winning application. Two webinars are scheduled:

PC Staff are also happy to provide 1:1 consultation on your community’s unique needs, and to answer any questions you may have about the process. Contact ProjectCities@asu.edu to set a time to meet.

Step 3: Secure Support in Your Community

Project Cities requires the support of a community’s City/Town Manager and elected officials (Mayor and City Council). The community must also designate a “Community Liaison” that will serve as the central point of contact for the community throughout the Project Cities partnership; this individual should have a degree of decision-making authority at the city. See Step 4 for further direction in securing community support.

Step 4: Identify Potential Projects

ASU students work on projects that are self-identified by a community and matched with relevant and available ASU courses. For each proposed project, the RFP requires:

  • A tentative project name
  • Designated “Project Lead(s)” who will lead the project and work directly with students
  • A project description
  • A brief narrative of the project’s goals
  • A list of sustainability impacts of the project
  • Desired project deliverables from students/courses
  • A potential measures of success during and after project completion
  • Available funding amount
  • Any other supporting documents deemed necessary.

Projects can be refined with the help of Project Cities staff prior to the submission of the RFP. Please contact us for any needed assistance.

We recommend drafting your proposal using the blank RFP template

Step 5: Provide Supporting Documents

The RFP requires a letter of support with signatures from the following entities:

  • City or Town Manager
  • Mayor and/or City Council member(s)
  • Identified or proposed partner organizations, if applicable
  • Any referenced community documents, such as strategic plans or development proposals

Step 6: Submit your RFP application

Fill out the RFP application here.

“This is not just a great opportunity to partner with Arizona State University, this is another way to engage the community as a whole, find ways to promote our city as a great place to visit, do business, and, ultimately, live in.”

– Mayor Jeff Serdy, City of Apache Junction
2017-2018 Project Cities Partner

2020 – 2021 Project Cities Partnership Proposed Schedule*

  • November 27, 2019, 5:00 p.m.: RFP submission deadline
  • December 13, 2019: Tentative Partner Community selection notification (internal)
  • December 16, 2019: Tentative public announcement of 2020-21 Project-Cities Partner Community selection(s)
  • January 2020: Project matching process begins
  • January – April, 2020: ASU/Community Inter-Governmental Agreements (IGA) negotiated and signed
  • April 2020 (Exact date TBD): Faculty Open House event
  • May – July, 2020: Coordinate schedules, site visits and kick-off event for fall semester; Scope of Work (SOW) agreements for full classes negotiated and signed
  • August 1 – 14, 2020: City staff and ASU faculty orientation meetings
  • August 20, 2020: ASU fall semester classes begin
  • August 31 – September 11, 2020: Project Cities class/student orientation presentations
  • Week of September 14 – September 18, 2020 (Exact date TBD): Project Cities kick-off event hosted by Partner Community
  • October 19 – October 30, 2020: Mid-term check-in meetings
  • Week of November 30 – December 4, 2020 (Exact date TBD): Fall Student Presentation Showcase event

* ASU reserves the right to revise the schedule as needed based on program needs and the city’s schedule.

EPIC-Network Information

Project Cities is a member of the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities Network (EPIC-N), a national network of educational institutions partnering with cities throughout the United States and world.