Guidelines for the Northern Illinois University Foundation Venture Grant Applications

The Venture Grant Program

Background
The NIU Foundation's mission is to increase private support to advance excellence at the university. One of the many avenues open to the Foundation in achieving this goal is the Venture Grant Program. At its inception, the foundation's grant program was one of a very few sources of funding for faculty. Today, the university has a number of grant programs, each with a distinct focus.

In order to use its modest grant funds to best advantage, the foundation strives to avoid duplication of other available university grants. Moreover, linking the foundation grant program more closely to the strategic goals of the university inevitably strengthens the reputation of the university as a whole.

Purpose
The purpose of our grant program is to invest in the imagination, intellect, and dedication of NIU's faculty and students. In addition, our grant program wishes to support projects that align with the strategic imperatives of the university. This program represents the continuous activity of the Foundation - to support faculty in their pursuit of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach to the larger community. The stature of the university as a whole rests on these pursuits.

We fund projects that:

• Are aligned with two of the university's strategic imperatives:



• Preserving, Strengthening, and Extending NIU's Teaching and Learning Environment



• Strengthening and Extending NIU's Regional and Global Impact



• Support unit activities that are venturesome and increase awareness of NIU's stature/image in research, teaching, learning, and outreach.

We give priority to projects that:

• Are innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and sustainable.


• Demonstrate community outreach.


• May have the ability to attract additional gifts to the university to further the proposed initiative.


• Make effective and creative use of new technology.


• Involve students and/or be of direct benefit to students.


• Have clear outcomes and timely results.


• Include matching support from the department/unit or elsewhere.

Grant Application Process

Call for Proposals

The NIU Foundation invites proposals, under an annual competitive Call for Proposal (CFP) process. Based on the strength of applications, as determined by the grants committee, more than one proposal may receive funding per year.

The combined budget for FY2010 is $35,000. This CFP is for one-time, short-term (18 months, maximum) funding.

Eligible Requests

We support projects from faculty and staff within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Division of Administration and University Outreach, and Intercollegiate Athletics.

We do not approve projects for the purpose of funding:

• Faculty/staff salary or benefits.


• Curriculum development.


• Basic day-to-day operational expenses.


• Costs for capital projects such as renovation, restoration, rehabilitation, or construction.

• Grantees are expected to complete the project within the planned timeline.


• Grantees must expend award funds according to plans outlined in submitted proposals.


• Funds may not be expended for generally related purposes.


• Support of the NIU Foundation must be acknowledged in any communication/publicity/publications related to the funded project/grant purpose ("This program was made possible in part by support from the Northern Illinois University Foundation").



• Grantees must submit a final report to the grants committee; generally one year after grant is awarded. This report will be shared with the NIU Foundation Board of Directors.


• Changes to timetable, budget, or goals of approved projects must be submitted in writing and approved by the grants committee. An interim report and budget revision will be required.

Grant Review Process

Application Procedures

• Proposals meeting the stated criteria shall be reviewed by the provost or respective vice-president and forwarded to the NIU Foundation Grants Committee.


• All other proposals from eligible divisions that meet the stated criteria shall be considered by the committee.


• We will acknowledge your application within two weeks of its receipt.


• Finalists may be asked to meet with the grants committee for further clarification of proposals.


• The grants committee will determine final approval and notify the NIU Foundation Board of Directors of their selections.


• Applicants will be informed in writing of the grants committee's decisions in mid-December.


• We will contact you if we have questions or require additional information.

1. Signature Sheet for Venture Grant Funding



2. Summary of Proposal (approximately 250 words)
   The summary should describe the methods, goals, and significance of the project. Summary proposals must be clear, readable, and free of technical jargon. The significance of the project should be understandable to someone outside the field of specialization.
   



3. Narrative (no more than 3 pages) that includes:



• Specific description of the project to be funded and a research plan detailing current work and work to be accomplished during the grant year.



• Clear connection to Background, Purpose, Strategic Imperatives, and Priorities detailed on page 1of this Guidelines document.



4. Project Budget including expenses, income, and available matching funds.



5. Appendices (Attachments)



• Support letters or endorsements (maximum of two)



• Applications from within Academic Affairs must come with letters of support from the department chair or director, as appropriate, and the dean.



• Applications from within the Division of Administration and University Outreach and Intercollegiate Athletics must come with letters of support from the applicant's supervisor and the Vice-President for Administration and University Outreach or Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics.



• One page vitae or biographical sheet

• Deadline for Proposal Applications: Wednesday, October 14, 2009



• Proposals should be addressed or dropped off to:
  NIU Grants Committee, c/o NIU Foundation
  135 Altgeld Hall
  DeKalb, Illinois 60115



• Final Decisions Announced:
  Second week in December, 2009



• Project Completion Deadline:
  Wednesday, June 30, 2011



• Final Report Summaries from FY 2010 Due:
  Friday, October 1, 2011

• Status of the program.
• Reason additional time is necessary.
• Amount of time (1 year or less) required to finish the work.
• Status of current funding including a revised budget.