Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education

Alternative Break Sub-Grant Proposals Guidelines

2004-2005

 

Funding available:  Grants in amounts of up to $2000 each with a 100% in-kind match to be used for travel, supplies, material, food, or lodging for alternative breaks are available from the Midwest Consortium.  During the first funding cycle ending on November 15th, 2004, up to $6000 is available for these sub-grants.  Any remaining funds from the first cycle will carry over into the second cycle of $6000 with a deadline of January 21st, 2005.

 

Proposal requirements:

  • Submit one original of the application in hard copy, created in a generic word processing document in rich-text format and also submit electronically
  • Proposal may not be more than seven pages in length using a 12-point font with .5-1 inch margins, including the title page, abstract page, budget narrative page and budget form (letters of support not included in page limit)
  • Ensure that personally identifiable information appears on the title page only
  • Must follow all guidelines as noted in the “Eligible Applications” section
  • Proposals must be postmarked by November 15th, 2004, and also submitted via email by November 15th, 2004, at 5pm Central Daylight Time to be considered for the first funding cycle.  Proposal deadline for the second funding cycle will be on January 21st, 2004, at 5pm CDT. 

 

Proposal format

  • Title page (one page—form included)
  • Brief summary (abstract) that describes your project (maximum 250 words) on a separate page
  • Proposal content (limit 3 pages)
  • Budget form (form included) and narrative/justification (one page limit on separate page)
  • Letter(s) of support (not included in page limit)

Alternative Break Sub-Grant Program

 

The Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education announces the availability of funds for alternative break service trips to enhance student learning and increase excitement amongst students about service-learning at Consortium member institutions.  These funds are made available through the Corporation for National Service under the Learn and Serve America: Higher Education grant program. 

 

Please see the Consortium website for additional information about mission and goals

http://si.unl.edu/midwestconsortium/

 

Two funding cycles will occur for alternative break service trips.  The Consortium will award up to $6000 in sub-grants during the first granting cycle which has a deadline of November 15th, 2004, at 5pm Central Daylight Time.  Any funds not dispersed during the first granting cycle will roll over into the second funding cycle with an additional $6000 pool which will accept applications until January 21st, 2005, at 5pm Central Daylight Time.

 

Eligible Applications--please review closely

  • Must have obtained official membership with the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education by the date of application as recognized by the Executive Director
  • Applications are available for up to $2000 per institution.  Multiple applications can be submitted from institutions, but total amount awarded cannot exceed $2000.
  • Joint projects through multiple institutions are eligible for $2000 per institution, but must complete separate unique applications.
  • Must support a substance-free alternative break trip
  • Institution identifiable information must be restricted to the title page only
  • Must be reviewed by the institution’s official Consortium representatives prior to submission.
  • Must follow all content guidelines.
  • Must be postmarked by November 15th, 2004, and also submitted via email by November 15th, 2004, at 5pm Central Daylight Time to be considered for the first funding cycle.  Proposal deadline for the second funding cycle will be on January 21st, 2005, at 5pm CDT. 

 

Priority will be given to proposals addressing issues of:

                     

Poverty                       Immigration                            Refugee

 

But will not exclude proposals addressing issues of:

 

            Education                    Public Safety                          Environment                           Other

 

 

Proposal Content Guidelines

Seven (7)-page maximum, including the Title Page, Abstract, and Budget Narrative

 

Title Page (form included) must contain: title of project, applicant name, applicant institution, date of submission, national issues to be addressed, planned date of event, expected number of participating students, and the following signatures: the legal applicant, project sponsor and the Campus Consortium Representative of the applying institution.

Abstract:  (separate page) Give a brief description of your project plans.  (250 word maximum)

Objectives:  Outline the objectives for the alternative break.

 

Service Description:  Describe the community program projects in which the students will be engaged as well as training and orientation plans.  Include the national issues to be addressed and the approximate number of hours students will be serving with each organization. 

 

Evaluation and Dissemination:  Include a plan for reflection and evaluation activities, and any plans for dissemination.   

 

Budget Narrative, Matching Funds and Form:  (separate page) Complete the required budget form and provide a narrative at the end of your proposal narrative, explaining each cost clearly.  Grant fund awards may be used for travel, lodging, food, supplies or materials.  All materials and supplies not expended, purchased with Consortium funds, become the property of the participant’s institution. 

 

Each grant requested must have a 100% in-kind or cash match, from the applicant’s institution.  In-kind match may include indirect costs (which include administrative costs, office space, equipment use, etc.) which are also allowable toward the match as defined by the federally negotiated indirect cost rate for your institution. A brief (no more than one-half page) explanation of the sources of matching funds should be included in the budget narrative.

 

Letter(s) of Acknowledgement and Support:  Include a letter(s) of support from your campus president, chancellor, academic dean or department chair.  If a community partner whose participation is critical to the success of the proposal has been identified, and their involvement is described in the proposal narrative, include a letter from that partner which describes their commitment. 

 

Grants that do not follow the guidelines will not be reviewed.

 

Questions may be addressed to your Consortium representative or to Gary Heusel, the Executive Director of the Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning at 402-472-9638 or email at gheusel@unlnotes.unl.edu


 

 

Awards and Administration

 

All proposals must be coordinated through the Consortium representative of the institution.  Sub-grant review panels will fully consider all applications and recommend proposals for funding based on the criteria identified within these guidelines.  Notification for those applying in the first cycle will be given to each applicant by December 10th, 2004. 

 

Sub-grant awards, administered by the Consortium member institution, include financial accounting and records maintained on behalf of the institution receiving the award.  Member institutions will be held accountable for the compliance with the grant requirements. 

 

A final report must be submitted by the closing date specified in the award letter and must include:

  • A description of the experience
  • A summary of evaluations
  • An invoice listing expenses
  • Information regarding your institutional budgetary match
  • Demographic data of trip participants (race, ethnicity, gender, disability)

 

Grant monies will be submitted to the institution after completion and submission of the final report.

 

Submission Procedures: 

Submit via email a copy of the entire proposal created in a generic word processing document in rich-text format to gheusel@unlnotes.unl.edu by 5pm Central Daylight Time on November 15th, 2004, for consideration during the first funding cycle.  The original copy of the application must also be submitted and postmarked by the November 15th, 2004, deadline for consideration during the first cycle. No faxed proposals are accepted, and proposals that do not adhere to the guidelines will not be reviewed. Ensure that personally identifiable information appears on the title page only.

 

Following a review by the Consortium representative on your campus, proposals are to be submitted through the appropriate campus procedures/office and mailed to:

 

Midwest Consortium for Service-Learning in Higher Education

Alternative Break Proposal

c/o Gary Heusel

Student Involvement

200 Nebraska Union

Lincoln, NE 68588-0457