Rice University, TX Envision Grant

Type: Program
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~leading/env_guide.htm
Description:
Guidelines for the Envision Grant
Application Process
I. General Information
Eligibility
* Registered Rice students or groups of students in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Registered student organizations are not eligible for Envision Grant funding.
* Both undergraduates and graduate students may apply. However, the majority of annual funding is designated for undergraduate projects.
* To ensure that projects are eligible for funding, students are encouraged to discuss project proposals with the director of Leadership Rice, Brad Smith, before submitting their applications.
Project Guidelines
* Proposed projects should enhance the community, demonstrate ingenuity, plan for sustainability, and facilitate your development as a leader. The benefit to the community can, but need not necessarily, be conferred through an intentionally service-oriented activity.
* Projects may benefit the Rice community, the Houston community, or other communities to which students have some connection.
* Envision Grants are designed to provide start-up funding, not subsidize ongoing operations.
* Grants may be awarded to creatively enhance or augment existing initiatives in meaningful ways (not including simple expansion).
* In general, money is not awarded for the sole purpose of creating a film.
* In general, funding for travel should not be requested. Funding for travel is available through the Parish, Brotzen, Goliard, Watson, or other travel scholarships. When projects involve significant travel, preference is given to requests that seek other sources of funding or show a student contribution to travel expenses. Limited funding for travel will be considered if it can be demonstrated that travel is integral to project start-up.
* All funding sources being solicited should be listed in the proposal, including funding requests submitted to travel scholarships or the President's Student Programming Fund.
Funding
Grants typically range from $200 to $2,500, based on available funds and the amount requested. Funds may be disbursed as a one-time stipend or as a series of stipends corresponding with project milestones. An organized documentation of expenses (with receipts) must be submitted upon the project's completion.
Requirements and Expectations
Students who receive grants must use the funds as stipulated in their proposals and must adhere to the timeline presented to the application committee. While unforeseen circumstances can at times cause delays, failure to complete the project in a timely manner may necessitate repayment or forfeiture of part or all of the funds awarded.
Students are expected to meet regularly with a designated project advisor for guidance and to monitor progress. Any change in circumstances that affects the viability, nature, or scope of the project must be communicated formally as a signed letter addressed to the Envision Grant Committee.
Students who receive grants must, upon project completion, present the results of their projects to Leadership Rice and other members of the Rice University community, as appropriate. Leadership Rice will work with grantees to designate an appropriate time and format for this presentation. Recipients must also:
* Provide a brief written summary of the experience for publication in program materials.
* Work with Leadership Rice, when appropriate, to create a permanent archive of the project's results.
* Submit a 1-2 page reflection paper that details how completing the funded project has facilitated your development as a leader.
Failure to fulfill all requirements and expectations, or to comply with the terms of the grant, may result in repayment or forfeiture of part or all of the funds awarded. 
Disclaimer
The Envision Grant Committee may choose to award part or all of the requested funds, and may ask applicants to modify their proposals before making a decision regarding funding. The committee is not obligated to award its entire budget in a given year.
II. The Application
Application Guidelines
The application is available online at leadership.rice.edu/envision and requires basic personal information, a cover letter, a proposal, an itemized budget, one letter of recommendation, and supplemental materials, if necessary.
For group projects, each applicant must complete a separate application and must submit a cover letter and a letter of recommendation. One copy of the proposal, budget, and supplemental materials is required per group, and should be submitted by the project chairperson.
All materials should be delivered to the Leadership Rice office on the 2nd Floor of the RMC, Suite 208 (above the Grand Hall). 
Materials may also be sent electronically to leading@rice.edu or faxed to 713-348-5885.
Applicants will be notified of decisions after all proposals have been reviewed. 
Applicants may be asked to attend an interview regarding the proposal or submit additional materials before a decision is made.
The Cover Letter
* The cover letter should address your motivations for pursuing an Envision Grant, incorporating previous experiences and personal interests when appropriate. It should also provide a brief abstract of your project.
* If applying for a group project, you should describe your anticipated responsibilities and contributions.
The Proposal
The proposal is the primary document in which you will describe the project and request funding. It should address the following questions:
* What is the project?
* What issue does the project address? Why is this important?
* What will be the impact of this project? Who will benefit from the project?
* Is the project feasible?
* Is the project sustainable?
* Why is Envision Grant funding necessary?
* How will you use the funding?
* How much does the project cost?
* What other sources of funding have been solicited/obtained?
* Do you have the support of all relevant authorities and impacted persons or parties?
* Have you assessed and developed a plan for controlling risk associated with the project?
The Budget
The project budget must be submitted as an itemized spreadsheet that describes in detail the costs of the project. Make a note of which items require Envision Grant funding and which will receive outside funding. You must explain how cost estimates were determined, and should attach explanatory notes to the spreadsheet if necessary.
Supporting Documents
One letter of recommendation is required and should be written by someone with whom you have an academic or personal association.
If your project involves campus or community partners, the committee would expect to see letters of support from the appropriate persons. For example, if you want to modify an on-campus building, the committee would expect to see letters of approval from Facilities and Engineering and Housing and Dining.
Supplemental materials may be submitted if they would help the committee evaluate your proposal.
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