ASCB Public Engagement Grants

Applicants will be asked for the following:

1. Project title
2. 250-word abstract that includes brief project description, target audience, hoped for impact.
3. maximum 6-page Project Plan that includes the following elements, preferably in this order: 1) What are the intended impacts (short and long term)? Include a clear definition of the audience you plan to reach. 2) Full project description, including how it can be implemented in the context of the coronavirus pandemic; 3) How will your project achieve your proposed impacts (e.g., Will it increase appreciation of the science topic? How? Will it increase diversity in science? How?); 4) Have you piloted elements of the project? If so, what were the outcomes?   5) What other outreach experience do you and/or your team have? 6) Project timeline.
4. Budget and budget justification (Download our sample budget sheet)
5. How will finances be handled (institutionally or individually)? Note: If your award will be paid to and/or handled by your institution, contact the appropriate person at your organization to determine whether they will charge administrative fees. If so, please include them in your budget and limit to no more than 20% of total costs.
6. Name of potential mentor to provide feedback on project and connections (ASCB can help identify a mentor if necessary)
7. CV or resume

The application site will be open from January 15 until March 31 midnight Eastern.

NOTE: You must be or become an ASCB member. More info/Join here.

Your membership will become active on the next business day after you apply, so be sure to apply for membership well before the application deadline. If you cannot apply before the deadline because of your membership status please email Thea Clarke to let her know.

A review panel will select grantees on the basis of the following criteria:

• Prior work and experience (Does the grantee have a track record of accomplishing a related project at a smaller scale?)
• Impact on audiences (Will the project have a positive impact on the community it is trying to reach?)
• Innovation (Is the project novel?)
• Engagement approach (Has the grantee thought about how to work with the community rather than involving the community only as an audience?)
• Likelihood of success (Do the project and budget seem realistic? Is the grantee prepared to accomplish the project they describe? Can it be done virtually?).

All applications will be judged on their individual merits.

Questions? Contact Thea Clarke at tclarke@ascb.org