Tips for a Successful Chapter Proposal

SfN offers awards from $500 to $2000 to chapters that submit a successful proposal for chapter activity. Each chapter is welcome to apply for up to $2000 a year. These awards are designed to achieve the following three goals: 1) to help new Chapters succeed or reinvigorate older, dormant chapters, 2) to promote goals of the SfN strategic plan, and 3) to promote novel initiatives linked to neuroscience literacy, education or training. It is helpful to keep these goals in mind when developing a proposal.

In the past awards have been given to chapters for the following activities:

• Student-oriented regional conferences

• Beginning a Brain Awareness Week Program

• Expansion of Brain Awareness Week, including increased community involvement or the purchase of educational supplies

• Supporting a chapter annual meeting

• Funding of graduate student awards to the chapter's annual meeting

• Funds for sending excess equipment to developing countries

Important points to keep in mind are:

• For Brain Awareness Week-related activities, the Membership & Chapters Committee encourages the solicitation of matching funds.

• Proposals that duplicate the goals of the Grass Traveling Scientist Program Awards are usually encouraged to apply for that award and are not funded through the chapter awards.

• Proposals for continuing medical education that can be better supported through fees and corporate sponsorship are not funded.

• Proposals that benefit the community and not only a single institution are usually more successful.

• New and innovative ideas are always welcome.

The following questions are considered by the Membership & Chapters Committee when deciding awards:

• Significance: Does this application address a clear goal that will benefit the chapter members and involve the community in a manner consistent with SfN's strategic plan?

• Approach: Is the project design adequately developed? If successful, could the same design be used by other chapters? Is there a method for self-evaluation and a plan for dissemination of results?

• Innovation: Does the project employ a novel concept and approach? Are the goals original and innovative? Does the project challenge the chapter to expand, become better organized, and/or develop new activities consistent with SfN's strategic plan?

• Chapter Capacity: Are Chapter leaders and members capable of carrying out this project?

• Environment: Does the environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed activities take advantage of the unique features of the environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?

We hope this information helps you to design a successful proposal. Any questions regarding the Chapter Grant Awards should be directed to chapters@sfn.org.