UO Consumer Protection Research Grant

Funder: University of Oregon in partnership with Oregon Consumer Justice

Geographic Scope: Oregon (research focused on Oregon consumer protection issues)

Program Overview

OCJ provides oversight and serves on the selection committee for this Consumer Protection Research Grant. This partnership helps grow awareness and understanding of the consumer injustices affecting Oregon communities. The grant is designed specifically to explore consumer protection in Oregon, including how to safeguard against unfair, deceptive, or predatory business practices.

Focus Areas (2025-26)

• Wildfire insurance and home insurance crisis
• AI regulation and generative AI impacts on children
• Consumer stereotyping and credibility bias
• Privacy protection in digital services
• Overnight trading and investment risks
• Medical sexual assault prevention and protections
• Digital platform migration and consumer rights
• Property insurance costs

Eligibility

• Faculty researchers (Faculty Awards)
• Graduate students (Graduate Student Awards)
• Based at or affiliated with University of Oregon

Award Categories

1. Faculty Awards - For established researchers exploring substantive consumer protection topics
2. Graduate Student Awards - For graduate student-led research projects

Previous Focus Areas

• Workplace protections
• Financial services
• Consumer privacy
• Business practices affecting vulnerable populations

2025-26 Funded Projects

• Trading in the Dark: Overnight trading practices
• Race, Gender, and Consumer Credibility: Bias in consumer judgment
• Documenting Oregon's Home Insurance Crisis: Wildfire risk impacts
• Protecting Consumers' Privacy in Accessing Wi-Fi Services
• Children and Chatbots: Regulating Generative AI and Synthetic Media in Oregon
• TikTok Refugees Find a Home in Xiaohongshu (RedNote): Implications for Oregon Consumers
• Outsized Impacts: Medical Sexual Assault Protections and Prevention for Patient-Consumers
• Wildfires and Property Insurance Premiums in Oregon

Contact

Website: ocj.org
University of Oregon Consumer Protection Research Grant information available at UO website

Application Process

Information about the specific application process is not fully detailed in the provided content. However, the structure includes:

1. Selection Committee: OCJ serves on the selection committee alongside University of Oregon representatives
2. Project Selection: Committee selects projects annually based on relevance to consumer protection in Oregon
3. Award Notification: Project summaries are published on OCJ website

Required Materials

Not specified in provided content - contact UO or OCJ for complete application requirements

Submission Format

Not specified - contact University of Oregon directly

How to Apply

For more information about the application process, eligibility requirements, and submission procedures:

• Visit University of Oregon website (referenced in content)
• Contact Oregon Consumer Justice at ocj.org