Research Partnership Grant

The following focus areas are guided by Outride’s mission and Theory of Change, our learnings so far, and existing gaps in the field.   

1) Track 1: Older Adults (Ages 55+) and Bicycling 

Older adults face distinct barriers to biking such as fear of falling, low bicycling confidence, mobility challenges, social stigma, and limited access to appropriate bikes. Yet research shows strong promise using cycling as a tool to improve health and well-being outcomes among older adults. Regular physical activity, including cycling, is associated with slower cognitive decline, improved executive function, and mood regulation. In addition, group rides and community cycling programs can address loneliness and increase older adult participation in social events. And importantly, skills-based riding and progressive practice may reduce fall risk and improve confidence. 

Despite these benefits, few older adult cycling programs have been rigorously evaluated in real-world community settings, and even fewer studies included older adults with diverse backgrounds. This track aims to understand the impact of bicycling on older adults' well-being and brain health.  

Focus areas may include: 

• Best practices for developing bicycling confidence among older adults, including type of bicycle, instruction progression, program components, etc. 

• Exploring the role of group rides in supporting social connection among older adults 

• Understanding brain health, wellbeing, and/or cognitive outcomes of bicycling participation on older adults 

• Bicycling programming that engages older adults from underrepresented populations 

• Partnering with a researcher to support with data analysis and write-up of an existing organizational dataset that aligns with older adults and bicycling  

• Partnering to share existing research around bicycling’s impact on older adults via toolkits or other dissemination strategies. 

2) Track 2: Youth Cycling Research and Evaluation

Outride’s origins are deeply rooted in empowering young people to access the benefits of bicycling, from youth with ADHD to youth without access to a bike at home. Many of our partner organizations introduce cycling to youth who may experience academic challenges, attention or behavioral difficulties, social isolation, chronic stress, or who don’t connect with more traditional sports. For many young people, cycling can increase self-confidence and focus, build resilience, reduce stress, and foster belonging. 

This track aims to garner evidence on why cycling works so well for youth and how programs can optimize these effects, especially by encouraging the transition from school-based programs into community riding. 

Focus areas may include:

• How do the unique aspects of cycling (e.g. non-competitive, outdoors, fun, etc.) engage students who do not typically enjoy physical activity or who may struggle during classes? 

• Evaluating a skills progression curriculum for skills beyond becoming safe and confident road cyclists, including mountain biking technique, multi-modal transportation, etc.  

• Bicycling’s effect on youth 

• Social Emotional Learning (SEL) 

• Mental wellbeing 

• Focus/attention regulation 

• Identity/belonging 

• Resilience 

• Researching pathways from school-based riding (e.g. Riding for Focus) to community riding (e.g. on trails, in cycling programs, racing, etc.) 

• Co-Created toolkits to engage cycling organizations in research / evaluation

Applicants must apply as a collaborative team consisting of: 

• At least one community-based cycling organization or educator, and 

• At least one academic/evaluation partner. Academic partners can be affiliated with university departments in public health, kinesiology, psychology, neuroscience, gerontology, education, or other related fields. You can also partner with a research institute or independent evaluators. 

We will also consider applications from academics developing toolkits for organizations to begin evaluation work. However, proposals will need to include a partnership with a community organization(s) who will test the toolkit during the grant period – be sure to join the Research Pool to learn about organizations interested in this type of work.  

Strong proposals demonstrate shared leadership, clear roles, community relevance, and feasible evaluation plans given the timeframe and budget. 

• Grant size: $5,000–$15,000 (aligned to scope) 

• Term: 12-18 months 

• Expected awards: 6-10 (pending award sizes) 

• Allowable costs: staff time for coordination/data collection; evaluation consulting or research assistant support; participant incentives; measurement tools/software; modest travel for partner coordination; program adaptations needed to support evaluation. 

Projects should: 

• Pose a clear research or evaluation question aligned to the chosen track. 

• Use methods that match organizational capacity (e.g., brief pre/post measures, simple attendance/retention metrics, short interviews or focus groups, observational rubrics, or mixed methods). Projects that may use more specialized equipment (e.g. EEG, fNIRS, etc.) should ensure the community organization or school has approved the use of the selected method. 

• Include a practical plan for implementing findings and communicating impact. 

• Lay the foundation for future collaboration and funding opportunities. 

• Select funding track

• Project summary (300–500 words) 

• Profiles 

• Organization mission, location, point of contact 

• Researcher background: research interests, link to publications / Google Scholar 

• Team & partnership description  

• Team Roles 

• Coordination plan  

• Research/evaluation question(s) and methods – what do you plan to research or evaluate? What are the anticipated impacts of this project? 

• Project Timeline with key milestones 

• Budget + brief justification 

• Example columns: Amount requested, Brief Justification 

• Letters of partnership or support confirming collaboration between parties