Community Connections
Foundation Spotlight
La Crosse Community Foundation
Latest News
NIH’s Inclusion Across the Lifespan Policy to Take Effect January 2019
Health Workforce Research Center Program Accepting Applications Now!
Save the Dates for Grant Seeking Professional Development Webinars!
Recent Submissions & Awards
UWL & UW System Grants
UWL Academic Staff Professional Development Grants
UWL Curricular Redesign Grants
UWL Carol Dobrunz Endowment Fund
UWL International Program Development Fund
UWL International Scholarship Grant
UWL Visiting Scholar/Artist of Color Program
UW System Ideadvance Seed Fund
External Grants
Most grants listed below require the institutional GRC log-in to access. If you need the GRC log-in, please see the newsletter in your UWL inbox or contact ORSP.
Local/Regional Grants
Arts / Humanities / International
Health
Science/Technology/Engineering/Math
Community Connections: It Make$ Cents!
Increasing community engagement is one of the pillars of UWL’s strategic plan, outlined as a “key component to our teaching, scholarly, & service mission.” In the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, we have the amazing opportunity to work with dedicated faculty and staff as they develop, plan, and write grants that will help them serve our community. In this month’s newsletter, we would like not only to congratulate Louise Janke (Director of Financial Aid) and Amanda Gasper (Financial Literacy Coordinator) for receiving the Governor’s Financial Literacy Award for the UWL It Make$ Cents! program, but also to draw attention to the transformative work they are doing on campus and in the community.
Financial literacy is not necessarily a topic that students know or understand when entering college. With many outside factors such as income, tuition, student loans, and rent to consider when planning personal finances, Gasper says now more than ever “many individuals are in need of financial information, education, and access to resources to assist with their economic challenges and struggles.” Social media sources like Facebook and Pinterest, as well as a general Google search, can provide a great deal information, but where should students or parents start? What resources are available on campus and in the community to students who wish to become savvy savers or student loan literate? That’s where the It Make$ Cents! crew can help. Staffed with a Financial Literacy Coordinator (Gasper), a graduate assistant, and several student peer mentors, the It Make$ Cents! team strives to provide “appropriate knowledge, skills, and resources conveyed through financial education and literacy programming,” which “gives students proper support to overcome some of the financial challenges they will face.”
The broader impacts of It Make$ Cents! are made possible not only by the dedication of Janke, Gasper, and the peer mentors who engage students on a daily basis, but also through the successful funding of a grant supported by the Otto Bremer Trust. Otto Bremer supports grants that make a meaningful impact on those living in the Upper Midwest. The success of this grant has allowed the program to “extensively market events and build awareness/visibility on campus and within the community,” as well as to develop partnerships with community organizations such as the UW Credit Union, Consumer Credit Counseling Service, Three Sixty Real Estate Solutions, and others. These collaborations have provided the It Make$ Cents! team opportunities to create workshops and activities not only educational for high school and college students, parents, and the general public, but also fun. Examples of activities provided include scavenger hunts, geocache contests, game nights, financial bingo, money monologues, movie nights, and financial education sessions. Gasper says the grant not only “offered us the opportunity to develop a strong marketing initiative,” but also “a community presence, and a solid foundation to enhance, grow and extend our current programming to the local high schools and college students.” Furthermore, students who work as peer mentors are given hands-on experiences that prepare them to understand and educate others on finances and financial literacy, which are topics that will be beneficial to them in their chosen careers after graduation.
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Foundation Spotlight: La Crosse Community Foundation
Established in 1930, the La Crosse Community Foundation (LCF) is a public charity created by and for the people of La Crosse. The purpose of the foundation is to “enrich the quality of life in the greater La Crosse area” through the administration of charitable donations, traditionally in the form of endowment funds, that will make a return investment to the community by funding grants that support needed services and programs.
LCF funds grants in seven areas: Arts & Humanities, Community Improvement, Recreation & Wellness, Culture & Diversity, Education & Scholarships, Environment, and Health & Human Services. Through these seven areas, LCF funds grants under six grant opportunities:
- General Fund: The General Fund is the most common source for LCF grant funding, as well as the largest source of competitive funds. This funding is very flexible in what it supports, as it is designed to respond to changing community needs. There are two levels of funding: Standard Grant ($7,500 and up) and Mini-Grant ($7,500 or less). Organizations may apply for a General Fund Standard Grant (more than $7,500) up to two times in any rolling 12-month period, with the option for a second application only if the first request is denied. The second application must also be for a different need. General Fund Mini-Grant applications (for requests of $7,500 or less) may be submitted every funding cycle for a different need, but applying every cycle is not recommended.
- Robert and Eleanor Franke Charitable Fund: As of June 30, 2018, the Robert and Eleanor Franke Charitable Foundation will dissolve, and 1/3 of its assets will go to LCF. Under LCF, the Charitable Fund will continue to support “government, charitable, humane, educational, medical and scientific achievement within the doctrines of the Catholic Church.”
- Global Awareness Fund: Supports projects that expand the community’s awareness of the multicultural world by helping individuals identify with people from outside the US.
- Mary Grace Sieber Fund: Supports projects that assist young people who have physical, emotional, or mental disabilities so they can participate in programs to enhance their ability to lead more independent and full lives.
- Corinne Zielke Fund: Supports baseball programs in the La Crosse area.
- June Kjome Justice & Peace Fund: Supports educational efforts in the La Crosse area that address the root causes of injustice and promote peace.
Deadlines
For funds that have not yet specified a deadline, contact Jamie Schloegel (LCF Program Director) to inquire about upcoming deadlines.
- General Fund: April 15, 2018 and July 15, 2018
- Robert & Elanor Franke Charitable Fund: This fund will begin taking requests July 1, 2018. See LCF website for more details.
- Global Awareness Fund: Not specified. Check with LCF to see when applications will be accepted.
- Mary Grace Sieber Fund: In 2018, this fund will accepts applications received via invite only.
- Corinne Zielke Fund: Accepts applications between December 15-January 15 each year.
- June Kjome Justice & Peace Fund: Not specified. Check with LCF to see when applications will be accepted.
Best Practice
It is strongly recommended that prospective applicants contact LCF to discuss project ideas prior to submitting an application. Refer to the following ORSP resources to provide a framework for the discussion:
- Template for developing a concept paper/letter of inquiry (LOI)
- Recommendations for contact the potential funding agency
Contact
Jamie Schloegel, Program Director, jamie@laxcommfoundation.com, phone: 608-782-3223 (ext. 23)
Website: La Crosse Community Foundation
Latest News
NIJ’s W.E.B. Du Bois Program Targeted to New and Advanced Investigators in Crime, Violence, & Justice
The National Institute of Justice’s W.E.B. Du Bois Program places emphasis on crime, violence, and the administration of justice in diverse cultural contexts within the US. The program supports quantitative and qualitative research from all social, behavioral, and other disciplines that furthers the Department’s mission by advancing knowledge regarding the intersections of race, crime, violence, and the administration of justice within the US. This solicitation seeks investigator-initiated proposals for funding to conduct research on topics linked to issues deemed critical by the US Department of Justice, including:
- Reducing violent crime
- Enhancing investigations and prosecution;
- Protecting police officers and other public safety personnel;
- Reducing victimization; and
- Enhancing immigration enforcement.
NIJ seeks applications for funding from two categories of researchers:
1. W.E.B. Du Bois Scholars in Race and Crime Research: Researchers who are advanced in their careers (awarded a terminal degree at least six years prior to December 31, 2018) may apply for 36-month (or less) grants, with funding up to $500,000 for research and mentoring less-experienced researchers.
2. W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship for Research on Race and Crime: Researchers who are early in their careers (awarded a terminal degree within six years prior to December 31, 2018) may apply for 24-month (or less) grants, with funding up to $250,000 for research. A period of residency at NIJ is optional, but not required.
Deadline: April 30, 2018
Source: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
NIH’s Inclusion Across the Lifespan Policy to Take Effect January 2019
If you are planning to submit a NIH application on or after January 25, 2019, that involves a human participants study, then you will need to plan on describing how participants across the lifespan will be included in your research. Here’s why you should begin planning for this change:
In December 2017, NIH posted a revision to the decades-old policy on the Inclusion of Children in Clinical Research. Previously, the policy stated that children should be included in all human subjects’ research, unless there was a scientific or ethical reason not to include them. After consideration and review of responses from research experts and the public, NIH will now require you to justify how the proposed age range of participants fits the Specific Aims of the project, as well as justify why your research excludes other populations (e.g., older adults). A common concern noted by survey participants included “concerns that many trials include poorly justified age-based exclusions…and that older adults, who carry a disproportionate burden of disease, are often underrepresented in clinical trials.” The link above provides guidelines and examples of situations where exclusion of individuals based on age may be appropriate.
Source: NIH Extramural Nexus
Health Workforce Research Center Program Accepting Applications Now
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) is now accepting applications for the Health Workforce Research Center Cooperative Agreement Program. The program aims to 1) collect, analyze, and report health workforce program data to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis and to the public; and 2) offer technical assistance to local and regional entities on the collection, analysis, and reporting of health workforce data. The four-year agreement will enable two awardees to focus on health equity in health workforce education/training ($450,000) and the behavioral health workforce ($900,000). HRSA will partner with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support the award on the behavioral health track. The submission deadline is April 12, 2018.
Source: GRC GrantWeek
Save the Dates for Grant Seeking Professional Development Webinars!
In spring 2018, WiSys Regional Research Administrator Jeremy Miner (UW-Eau Claire) is hosting a series of professional development webinars for UW System faculty and staff. Topics will span the continuum of grant seeking expertise, addressing the needs of novice as well as seasoned grant applicants. Sessions are each targeted to be 75 minutes total, with 60 minutes of presentation and 15 minutes for Q&A.
Dates and topics are provided below. The webinars will be hosted by ORSP in the Institute for Campus Excellence (150 Murphy Library).
Recent Submissions
Recent Awards
UWL & UW System Grants
UWL Academic Staff Professional Development Grants
Program contact: Matthew Schneider (mschneider@uwlax.edu)
Program summary: Academic Staff Professional Grants support professional development opportunities for academic staff (at least 0.50 FTE academic year) that will enhance their effectiveness in meeting changing needs and roles in higher education. The program funds projects that involve professional training or development or participation in a conference/workshop.
Deadline: June 1, 2018
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UWL Curricular Redesign Grants
Program contact: UWL Center for Advancing Teaching & Learning (CATL)
Program summary: Curricular Redesign Grants support groups of instructors to develop or redesign and implement curricula and teaching practices in academic programs. The program funds projects that involve significant revisions intended to address challenging learning goals, student learning problems, and/or achievement gaps. Priority will be given to projects that go above and beyond normal curriculum development, course updates, and minor revisions. Projects should include design, assessment, and further improvement of curriculum and teaching practices.
Deadline: March 5, 2018
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UWL Carol Dobrunz Endowment Fund
Program contact: Faculty Senate IAS Committee Chair (see the current Faculty Senate Committee Assignments)
Program summary: This fund supports conference costs for non-tenured faculty or instructional academic staff (IAS) without an indefinite appointment. The recipient must meet the following criteria: 1) must be employed at UWL with at least a 75 percent appointment; 2) must be either a non-tenured faculty member or a member of instructional academic staff without an indefinite appointment; 3) must be attending a national conference within their discipline; 4) may not have previously received this award.
Note: There have been changes to the application process for the spring 2018 submission deadline. However, eligible applicants and activities remain the same. See the program webpage for the updated guidelines.
Deadline: March 30, 2018
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UWL International Program Development Fund
Program contact: Rose Brougham (rbrougham@uwlax.edu)
Program summary: The grant program focuses on the development of faculty- and staff-led programs (e.g., scoping visits) or faculty exchanges.
Deadline: May 7, 2018
UWL International Scholarship Grant
Program contact: Provost Office
Program summary: The program supports internationalization of the university through research and other scholarly projects that are international in scope and have the potential to transform the applicant’s research. One of the primary outcomes associated with this program is the support of travel costs to present research at international venues. However, UWL employees may submit proposals associated with conducting scholarly endeavors abroad and/or enhancing their professional development in a manner that maximizes the interaction between faculty/staff and the host culture/community. Proposals must be approved by the department and dean and demonstrate that the university will realize tangible benefits.
Deadline: May 7, 2018
UWL Visiting Scholar/Artist of Color Program
Program contact: Provost Office
Program summary: As part of UWL’s vision that diversity is central to providing and retaining a quality learning environment and sense of world community at the University, these grants support the travel costs and honoraria of a scholar/artist of color to visit the campus during the academic year. The purpose of a larger number of shorter visits (rather than semester-long programs) serves to increase the program’s visibility on campus and increase the potential representation of individuals across the university.
Deadline: July 9, 2018
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UW System Ideadvance Seed Fund
Program contacts: Anne Hlavacka, UWL Small Business Development Center and UW Ideadvance New Idea Concierge
Program summary: The Ideadvance Seed Fund combines early-stage grant funding with business mentoring to development innovative ideas and potential businesses from UW alumni and current UW faculty, staff, and student entrepreneurs. Ideas originating from all disciplines are encouraged. Stage 1 grants fund up to $25,000 and aim to help applicants reduce the risk in a business idea by determining features that will solve a real customer need. Stage 1 awardees are eligible to apply for Stage 2 grants, which fund up to $50,000 to support development of a business model that effectively delivers solutions to customers and prepares the idea for investment.
Eligible applicants should first consult with the UWL Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the UW Ideadvance New Idea Concierge to learn about developing a competitive proposal.
Deadline: April 27, 2018
Grant News 