The Aspen Institute Science & Society Program, together with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, is proud to partner with the Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA) and on the launch of the Modernizing Academic Appointment and Advancement (MA3) Challenge. This initiative invites colleges and universities from across the U.S. to explore and implement improvements to their academic hiring, review, promotion, and tenure processes.
ORCA seeks bold, creative, and practical strategies to develop academic reward systems that foster a collaborative, accountable, and transparent research environment. The initiative is supported by $1.5 million in funding from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the Dana Foundation, the Rita Allen Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“This Challenge is a vital chance to strengthen trust between science and the public,” said Aaron Mertz, PhD, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Science & Society Program. “When universities reward public engagement and clear science communication, they create incentives for researchers to connect directly with communities. As a nonprofit science intermediary, we understand that transforming academic reward systems is essential to ensuring that research truly serves society. We’re excited to support this initiative, which reflects our mission to connect leaders and scientists in building a stronger, more vibrant scientific ecosystem.”
The MA3 Challenge pursues four key objectives that align with Aspen Science & Society’s mission to strengthen the scientific ecosystem:
- To develop academic reward systems that foster a collaborative, responsive, and transparent research environment
- To tackle challenges in existing hiring and advancement language, processes, and policies
- To develop and foster capacity for institutional change work within the academy
- To advance beyond the discussion phase into implementation
The Challenge offers two tiers of funding:
- Up to six awards of $250,000 each for comprehensive institutional or divisional transformations
- Up to six awards of $50,000 each for targeted reforms at the department, center, or institute level.
Funds may be used for activities such as faculty workshops, stakeholder convenings, policy change efforts that embed specific values-aligned language into advancement and hiring criteria, new technologies, and staff time.
Beyond funding, the network of participating institutions attend convenings hosted by ORCA and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Taking place over the duration of the two-year funding period, this will enable institutions to share experiences, learn from one another, collectively address challenges, while also exploring innovative reform strategies.
Full proposals are due by January 8, 2026, at noon PT
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About ORCA The Open Research Community Accelerator (ORCA) is a non-profit focused on making science more engaging, accessible, and actionable. More about our work may be found at https://www.orcaopen.org/work.
Aspen Institute Science & Society The Aspen Institute launched the Science & Society Program in 2019 as a “laboratory” to test ideas and approaches that help explain, connect, and maximize the benefits of science for public good. Led by a core staff of trained scientists, the program is an early responder to emerging trends and is on the pulse of critical issues at the intersection of science and society.
Media Contact: Caitlin Schleicher, MA3 Program Officer Caitlin@orcaopen.org