GUIDELINES FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS TO THE PROGRAM IN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA In addition to utilizing the resources of the Divisions, NCF students have the opportunity to request limited support for research projects from ESP. These guidelines will assist students with the preparation of a grant application to the ESP funds. Grants range from $100 -$500 on average. WHO CAN APPLY? Any New College student who is writing a thesis or undertaking a project that relates to Environmental Studies can apply. Students must supply a letter of support from their faculty sponsor approving their proposal (and/or Abstract) to receive funding, and provide a transcript. WHAT IS SUPPORTED? ESP support includes logistics for travel, supplies, printing and copying theses, or other limited resources required for the completion of a research project. Support is competitive and priority is given to ES senior thesis students. The mission of the ESP grant proposals is to help students define and clarify their academic goals; to connect with academic philanthropy, to articulate ideas to the broader environmental community both within and outside NCF; to assist in matching student needs with external support; and to provide success for students who intend to seek future study. WHAT ARE THE EXPECTATIONS? The ESP expects the following of its grantees: Efficient and thoughtful use of college resources and facilities Accurate and complete record-keeping for grant-related expenses Willingness to share findings through ESP lunch seminars, publications or other avenues of information-sharing Written documentation such as copy of the thesis or publications Regular meetings and progress with your thesis supervisor
THE PURPOSE OF A GRANT PROGRAM Spark change in the way community problems are addressed and solutions are implemented Respond to emerging/changing needs through the provision of services or programs Strengthen the capabilities of ESP students both in the delivery of programs and in organizational management Help students define and clarify their academic goals Provide a record of the student’s intent and starting point Aid in matching sources of support with student needs, and Assist in soliciting external sources of support.
WHAT PRIORITIES ARE SUPPORTED? Environmental Research (e.g. promoting ways to conserve resources, encourage responsible animal welfare and protect wildlife, explore relationships between people and the environment, ecological studies) Arts and Humanities (e.g.: literary or artistic pursuits that relate to the environment) Community Development (e.g.: encouraging access to and use of community-based development methods that involve environmental policy, attitudes, education, or science) Education (e.g.: K-16environmental outreach, research on environmental education or informal science education Environmental Health (e.g.: supporting basic medical, dental and mental health needs within Florida or around the globe) Multidisciplinary Study (e.g. integration topics from any of the three divisions, collaborating with other students, creating projects that do not fall within conventional boundaries). Includes group or team approach where beneficial. Policies and policy-makers (e.g. research on issues relating to environmental causes, both local, national or global)
WHEN TO APPLY? Thesis research proposals are due in time to be reviewed by the October ESSC meeting; however, students may find it beneficial to submit these earlier, and they will be processed as they arrive. Proposals for other educational activities are accepted at any time. GUIDELINES Students of NCF are eligible to apply. Grants are made with preference for ESP concentrators, or research that features an environmental theme. Applications in support of the following are encouraged: Travel funds to/from research sites Maintenance for field work Disposable field equipment Small items of non-disposable equipment Support to attend conferences or seminars Film and processing as it relates to the dissemination of results Fundraising events Surveys or documents relating to surveys Writing, publications, or production of articles, books, videos, or final thesis volume.
HOW GRANT PROPOSALS ARE PROCESSED You will be notified that we received your proposal. A staff member may call you with
further questions or you may be asked to respond in writing to clarify parts of your proposal. The ESSC reviews applications and makes recommendations. This procedure will take three to six weeks from the deadline date. Please allow adequate time for our review before your project is due to start. Because there is never enough money to support all the deserving projects presented, we suggest you investigate other funding sources. Please list what other funders you are approaching. If your project is funded by any other source during the course of this process, please inform us in writing. Inquiries concerning these guidelines or the Foundation’s policies should be addressed to any member of the ESSC or to Professor Margaret Lowman, Director of Environmental Initiatives at 487-4365. The following information is required for all student grant applications, using THIS format. (Number each section.)
1. Legal name of applicant 2. Physical and mailing address 3. Title for the grant request 4. Telephone number for contact of applicant 5. Fax number if applicable 6. E-mail address 7. Amount of money requested in this grant application and your estimated total total cost of the project 8. Using no more than three (3) sentences, describe how the grant funds will be used 9. Thesis Abstract (definition: one paragraph summary of the hypotheses (if applicable), methods and expected outcomes of your research) 10. Project description: you must provide a thorough description of your project here. Introduction to your topic (including short literature review of 5-10 primary sources, that are key journal articles for your thesis research, not web sites) including origin or history of proposal, relation to applicant’s educational development, and relevance in terms of past, present or future environmental issues. (max. 2 pages) General plan of work including experimental design, graphics or creative, procedural approach, anticipated results, and final form max 2-3 pages) Bibliography using professional notation
11. Project Support Timeline Facility needs (if any) Budget (itemized) and budget justification Faculty support or other community advisors 12. Appendices including any permits, a mandatory letter from advisor, any additional letters of support
Please submit an electronic version to jclark@ncf.edu or a hard copy on 8 ½ by 11-inch paper printed on one side with a typeface of 12 points and unbound. Do not include a cover page.
Submit to: Jenna Clark Environmental Studies Program Caples Carriage House (941) 487-4365