SEEDS: Activities > Campus Ecology Chapters > Special Project Grant
Cover Sheet [Microsoft Word] |
Proposal Guidelines [Microsoft Word] |
Budget Worksheet [Microsoft Excel] |
Grant Report Guidelines [Microsoft Word]
The SEEDS Campus Ecology Chapter program offers a Special Project Grant
to support Chapter activities and projects which further the mission of SEEDS.
This funding ensures the program can support innovative Chapter project ideas that promote ecology to underrepresented students. Each project must clearly support the mission of SEEDS – stimulating and nurturing the interest of underrepresented students in ecology – and incorporate ecological science and its communication through education and/or research.
Themes and examples of Special Projects include, but are not limited to:
Outreach activities: campus-wide projects, projects with K-12 students and/or teachers, community members, etc.
Research activities: supporting opportunities for students and faculty to conduct and communicate ecology research.
Career development: hosting a seminar series for students on-campus; holding a career day for all Campus Ecology Chapters; stipends for visiting ecologists.
Curriculum development: introducing or improving an ecology-related course or laboratory; collaborating with other Chapters on a cross-campus ecology research project
Student development: research stipends to support students in conducting ecology research at a home or nearby institution; student travel to professional meetings.
Faculty development: leading a faculty development/resource sharing workshop among Chapters; hosting a K-12 teacher workshop; faculty travel to professional meetings; hosting a seminar series.
Scope and Size of Awards
Special Project Grants will be awarded up to $5000. The amount requested must
be reflective of the size and scope of the project.
Eligibility
(1) The SEEDS Campus Ecology Chapter must be in good standing with the college or university and with the SEEDS program. This requires maintaining accurate activity and financial records, submitting reports when required, and meeting membership requirements. Any late or outstanding issues may deem the Chapter ineligible for a Special Project Grant.
(2) New Chapters must be established for at least 60 days (from the date of the acceptance letter) to be eligible for a Special Project Grant.
(3) A Chapter may submit only one Special Project Grant proposal per review period.
(4) A Chapter may only have two ongoing Special Projects at one time.
Proposal Submission
Each proposal must include the cover sheet, budget worksheet, and follow the proposal guidelines. It is recommended that Chapters closely follow these guidelines for a competitve proposal.
Propsal review deadlines for the 2006-2007 academic year are September 15,
2006, January 26, 2007 and May 4, 2007.
Email the completed proposal including cover sheet, budget spreadsheet, and any relevant materials such as photos or appendices to seeds@esa.org by the proposal deadline. Proposal hard copies are not necessary and are discouraged. Any relevant proposal materials that cannot be sent electronically may be mailed to: SEEDS Special Project Grants; Ecological Society of America; 1400 Spring Street, Suite 330; Silver Spring, MD; 20910.
Proposal Submission Timeline
Proposal deadline: Submission
4 weeks from deadline: Receive letter notifying acceptance or decline; if your proposal is accepted, enclosed agreement form must be returned within 2 weeks.
6 weeks from deadline: Deadline to return agreement form; check request submitted to ESA Finance Office.
10 weeks from deadline: Receive grant funds
As per the timeline above, a project with a start date less than ten weeks from the submission deadline will not considered.
Selection Criteria
Obtaining a Special Project Grant is a competitive process and awards will be made on the basis of the strength of the proposal and the cost effectiveness of the proposed activities in furthering the mission of SEEDS and promoting ecological science education and/or research. Higher ranking will be given to projects with broad impact and dissemination and to those that include matching funds (anything from a small campus fundraiser to large institutional support). A selection committee of Ecological Society of America members will only evaluate complete proposals.
Evaluation and Reporting
ESA will monitor the effectiveness of the project through periodic assessment. This may include contact via email, phone, or a visit to the Chapter. Faculty and students are encouraged to provide informal updates to ESA staff throughout the term of the special project by email or phone. A final report must also be submitted no later than 30 days after the indicated project end date.
Special Project Grant Report Guidelines [Microsoft Word]
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