Chapter Grant Awards
Background
SfN offers grants to support chapter activities and outreach by:
- Helping new chapters succeed and/or reinvigorating older, dormant chapters
- Promoting goals of the SfN strategic plan
- Promoting novel initiatives linked to neuroscience literacy, education or training.
Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and are awarded to individual chapters on a competitive basis. Chapters can apply during both the spring and fall each year, but may receive no more than $2,000 each year.
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Eligibility
For award consideration, chapters must:
- Submit an annual chapter report by May 3.
- Submit reports on activities funded by a previous chapter grant.
- Be current on reports from all other programs through which funding was received.
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Selection Criteria
The selection committee will evaluate nominations based on the following selection criteria:
- Significance. Does this application address a clear goal that will benefit chapter members and involve the community in a way 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. Will the work environment contribute to the probability of success? Do proposed activities take advantage of the unique features of the environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements?
Also view SfN's chapter grant tips for ideas on strengthening applications.
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Application Information
Applicants must download and complete a nomination form (Word 97-2003 document, .doc).
Note for International Chapters: International chapters are encouraged, where applicable, to describe how the activities proposed in the grant application relate to and/or are supportive of similar efforts targeted by their national society (e.g., Brain Awareness Week activities). A letter of support from the national society will be taken into consideration in the review process, but is not required.
Deadline for fall 2010: September 1, 2010. For questions, contact chapterawards@sfn.org.
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Conditions and Responsibilities
Award receipients must meet the following conditions and responsibilities:
- Chapters must spend grant money within one year of being awarded, and in the way proposed - accountability is required. A final financial and project report, with return of unused funds, is due to SfN 30 days after the event. If the proposal involves equipment purchases for use during multiple events, submit receipts. Download the report guide (PDF).
- SfN's Membership & Chapters Committee members may visit chapters during grant-funded events.
- SfN encourages solicitation of matching funds. The Membership & Chapters Committee seeks additional funding sources for these initiatives.
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