In early 2013, 21 local governments and three universities joined together with the Alliance for Innovation, the International City/County Management Association, and the Center for Urban Innovation at Arizona State University to establish the Local Government Research Collaborative (LGRC).  The LGRC is developing and funding an actionable research agenda that addresses significant issues confronting local governments.  It provides the critical “link” between academic researchers and local governments and allows managers direct input on the identification of emerging and leading practices that will have the most impact on the profession.  It will also shape a research agenda to expand our knowledge of how local governments pursue innovative change and fundamentally improve their performance.  For more information contact Toni Shope, Strategic Initiatives Director, tshope@transformgov.org or (704) 453-7080.

Mission:

The mission of Local Government Research Collaborative is to:

  • Proactively pursue research on issues that matter;
  • Focus on new concepts and ideas or on items that have been researched, but where implementation by local governments has not occurred, or occurred well;
  • Produce research that is actionable, influential and, ultimately, results in positive change in our communities; and,
  • Actively disseminate research through outlets provided through AFI, ASU, ICMA and other partners.

Participating Organizations:

  • Arvada, CO
  • Auburn, AL
  • Austin, TX
  • Catawba County, NC
  • Clearwater, FL
  • Decatur, GA
  • Dubuque, IA
  • Edmonton, AB
  • Evanston, IL
  • Flagstaff, AZ
  • Ft. Lauderdale, FL
  • Grande Prairie, AB
  • Milton, GA
  • Navajo County, AZ
  • Oak Ridge, TN
  • Olathe, KS
  • Phoenix, AZ
  • Sacramento, CA
  • Sarasota County, FL
  • Stafford County, VA
  • University of Colorado-Denver
  • University of Kansas
  • University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Current Projects Underway:

  • Red Tape to Green Tape, and Grievance Policies in Local Government Organizations:  Leisha DeHart-Davis, UNC Chapel Hill
  • Improving Local Governance in the United States by Learning From Abroad:  Hal Wolman, George Washing University Institute of Public Policy
  • The Workforce of Tomorrow: Center for State and Local Government Excellence

Local Government Research Collaboratory - Indirect Cost Limits

“Be it resolved, that it is the policy of The Alliance for Innovation (AFI) that with respect to any project for which AFI provides research funding, the researcher hired to complete such project may not charge facilities and administrative costs in an amount exceeding ten percent (10%) of the funding for such project. By way of example, but not limitation, if AFI provides $40,000 of funding for a project, no more than $4,000 of that $40,000 can be charged for facilities and administrative costs.”