Daily Archives: March 1, 2014

2014-05-08: Challenge America Fast-Track, FY 2015

Funding Opportunity Number: 2014NEA01CAFT
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Category of Funding Activity: Arts (see "Cultural Affairs" in CFDA)
Eligible Applicants: State governments | County governments | City or township governments | Special district governments | Independent school districts | Public and State controlled institutions of higher education | Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) | Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education | Private institutions of higher education
Agency Name: NEA
Closing Date: 2014-05-08
Award Ceiling: $10,000

Description: The Challenge America Fast-Track category offers support primarily to small and mid-sized organizations for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations — those whose opportunities to experience the arts are limited by geography, ethnicity, economics, or disability.  Age alone (e.  g.  , youth, seniors) does not qualify a group as underserved; at least one of the underserved characteristics noted above also must be present.  Grants are available for professional arts programming and for projects that emphasize the potential of the arts in community development.
• Engagement: Engaging the public with diverse and excellent art.
• Livability: The strengthening of communities through the arts.
You will be asked to select the outcome that is most relevant to your project.  When making selections, you should identify the outcome(s) that reflect the results expected to be achieved by your project.  If you receive a grant, you also will be asked to provide evidence of those results.
• Extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations.
• Are limited to the specific types of projects outlined below.
• Are for a fixed amount of $10,000 and require a minimum $10,000 match.
• Receive an expedited application review.  Organizations are notified whether they have been recommended for a grant approximately six months after they apply; projects may start shortly thereafter.
essential.
Each applicant must present a simple, straightforward project that reflects only one of the project types below.  Fast-Track grants are available only for:
Engagement: Engaging the public with diverse and excellent art.
• An arts event or events that will feature one or more guest artists.  The project (such as a festival, exhibit, recital, reading, performance, screening, broadcast, lecture) must include the participation of guest artist(s).  Artistic staff and resident artists of an applicant organization do not qualify as guest artists.  In addition to artists' fees, the project may include public relations, professional documentation, and program enhancements that are integral to the event.  Examples of program enhancements include interpretive material, transportation, program accommodations (e.  g.  , sign language interpretation, audio description, Braille, tactile exhibit tours), catalogues, brochures, or publications.  Other enhancements such as specific lecture-demonstrations, pre- or post-event talks, or workshops relevant to the proposed arts event also are eligible.  NOTE: Projects that involve curriculum-based arts instruction are not eligible (see Arts Education in the Arts Works category).
• The unified promotion of community-wide arts activities and resources to enhance cultural tourism or activities in cultural districts (including promoting the arts to underserved populations).  NOTE: Promotional projects for a single organization are not eligible.  Unified promotion is defined as the professional assessment, design, and/or distribution of public relations tools (calendars, websites, brochures, rack cards, signage, etc.  ) designed to benefit several local organizations.
• The development of professionally directed public art projects.  This project type is for visual arts projects only (such as murals, sculptures, or environmental art) that are developed through community engagement.  Evidence of community involvement in the planning, design, or fabrication of the work must be apparent.  Please note that these activities may require applicants to provide information in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act and/or the National Historic Preservation Act.  See here for more information.
Link: www.grants.gov/view-opportunity.html?opp…

2014-05-01: Broadening Participation in Engineering

Funding Opportunity Number: PD-14-7680
Opportunity Category: Discretionary
Funding Instrument Type: Grant
Category of Funding Activity: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Eligible Applicants: Unrestricted (i.  e.  , open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Agency Name: NSF
Closing Date: 2014-05-01
Expected Number of Awards: 15

Description: The Broadening Participation in Engineering (BPE) Program is a Directorate-wide activity to support the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of engineering graduates, particularly those with advanced degrees.  The BPE Program supports projects to engage and develop diverse teams that can offer unique perspectives and insights to challenges in engineering research and education…

The BPE Program has two synergistic elements: 1.  The BPE Opportunity Track (BPE-OT) establishes mentoring, networking, and other career development opportunities for anyone intending to pursue or already employed as an early career engineering faculty member.  BPE-OT allow them to engage with, learn from, and network with diverse individuals and groups in ways that will demonstrably enhance their long term career success.  This track would include projects for developing graduate student pathways to the doctorate, and through that, to post-doctoral and faculty positions.  The track is particularly interested in creating opportunities for groups typically underrepresented in engineering departments.  It is strongly recommended that proposals be submitted to the Broadening Participation program, specifying the track of interest, not later than April 1, 2014. 
Link: www.grants.gov/view-opportunity.html?opp…