Guidelines and (historical) Application Procedure
Read comments about the status of the MnSGC's e-Grants program on the previous web page. The guidelines below explain the sorts of projects we fund through our higher-education affiliates, but the application procedure for e-grants described below is not presently in use. Call the MnSGC office at 612-626-9295 if you have a project idea you would like considered for potential MnSGC-affiliate sponsorship.
The Minnesota Space Grant Consortium (MnSGC) Enhancement Grant Program focuses in four categories: K-12 education, higher education, research & development, and public outreach. Each focus area requires a match (in-kind and/or cash) from the applying school or institution.
K-12 Education Focus
- The MnSGC’s major concentration in the area of K-12 education is on K-12 teacher training in the form of workshops, conferences, pre-service and in-service training. The MnSGC does not fund equipment purchases, but will fund supplies, consumables, and faculty salaries.
- Another focus in K-12 education is in the area of curriculum development. Curriculum projects must be clearly aligned with the National Science Standards and the Minnesota Graduation Standards. Curriculum may be developed in the areas of space-related science(earth science & physical science), astronomy, physics, computer science, and mathematics.
- Minimum request: $1,000. Maximum request: $5,000.
Higher Education Focus
- The MnSGC concentrates on supporting excellence in higher education. This area focuses on activities that benefit students, faculty or both. Activities include, but are not limited to, pre-service teacher training, curriculum development, design and implementation of new major and minor areas of space-science related study, conferences, workshops, development and dissemination of software, problem sets, videos, publications, labs, and other undergraduate student support (exclusive of scholarships).
- Minimum request: $5,000. Maximum request: $15,000.
Research Infrastructure Focus
- The MnSGC supports all of the organizational factors that promote the development and maintenance of research in an organization. These factors include seed money for research, release time for proposal writing, the establishment of research collaborations, conference and/or research related travel, and graduate student support.
- The MnSGC supports research infrastructure proposals in each of
the four NASA Strategic Enterprise. These are:
- Space Science
- Mission to Planet Earth
- Human Exploration and Development of Space
- Aeronautics and Space Transportation Technology
Public Outreach Focus
- The MnSGC supports all science and technology-based programs and activities that serve industry, state/local government, nonprofit organizations, children and adults. Examples are non-technical informal science courses, lectures, science fairs, radio and television programs designed to stimulate a broad interest in, and understanding of space-related science outside a formal educational setting.
- Minimum request: $1,000. Maximum request: $5,000.
Criteria for Grants
The MnSGC supports:
- Specific projects or programs.
- Programs of organizations with their own IRS tax-exempt status, schools, and government agencies. (Grants are not made to fiscal agents).
- Programs must support MnSGC funds with a match (in-kind, cash, equipment purchase, or travel)
Restrictions
In order to maintain focus and achieve greater impact, the MnSGC does not support:
- Equipment purchases (NASA requirement)
- General operating support of educational institutions
- Lobbying, political or fraternal activities
- Fund-raising events or activities, social events or goodwill advertising
- Foreign Travel
Application Process (not presently in use -- call 612-626-9295 instead)
Grant applicants must submit the E-grant Application Form which will help guide you to include the following information:
- Description of the project stating goals and dates of project;
- Personnel with attached resumes;
- Evaluation plan with measurable assessment benchmarks;
- Budget indicating a clear match.
Please submit the E-grant Application Form with a cover letter that includes a paragraph summary of the project and the amount you are requesting. Additional information regarding the application process can be obtained by contacting the Minnesota Space Grant Office at (612) 626-9295 or by e-mail at mnsgc@umn.edu. Please send the cover letter and your request to:
Minnesota Space Grant Consortium
Enhancement
Grant Program
Department of Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics
107
Akerman Hall
110 Union St. S.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Review of Applications
Early requests are encouraged. Applications are reviewed within 30 business days of receipt.
The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
Last Modified: 2014-06-26 at 13:18:46 -- this is in International Standard Date and Time Notation