Northern Illinois University Foundation FY2009 Venture Grants Background The Northern Illinois University Foundation’s mission is to increase private support to advance excellence at the University. One of the many avenues open to the Foundation in achieving this goal is the Grants Program. This program represents the longest-standing, continuous activity of the Foundation -- to support faculty in their pursuit of excellence in research, teaching, and outreach to the larger community. The stature of the university as a whole rests on these pursuits. Rationale At its inception, the Foundation’s Grants Program was one of a very few sources of funding for faculty. The university now has a number of grant programs, each with a distinct focus that complement the Foundation’s efforts. In order to use its modest grant funds to best advantage, the Foundation should not duplicate other available university grants. Moreover, linking the Foundation grants program more closely to the strategic goals of the university and the Foundation inevitably strengthens the stature of the university as a whole. Guidelines Since the budget for the Grants Program derives solely from private funds, it seems appropriate that these funds should be seen as a venture fund, an investment in the imagination, intellect, and dedication of NIU’s faculty and students. Special attention will be given to projects that are sustainable and may have the ability to attract private gifts to further build the proposed initiative. Current Annual Budget: $50,000 Grants Cycle: Once annually Grant Deadlines: October 6, 2008 proposals to the Grants Committee, c/o NIU Foundation, 135 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb, Illinois 60115. Grant Amounts: NIU Foundation anticipates funding 2 proposals this year for a combined total of $50,000. Purpose: Venture Grants support unit activities that are venturesome in increasing awareness of NIU’s stature/image in research, teaching, learning, and outreach. Eligibility: Faculty and staff from units within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Division of Administration and University Outreach, and Intercollegiate Athletics. General Expectations: Projects should involve students and/or be of direct benefit to students; have clear outcomes and timely results, and include matching support from the department/unit or elsewhere. Priorities: The Foundation wishes to support projects that are aligned with two of the university’s strategic imperatives. They include: - Preserving, Strengthening, and Extending NIU’s Teaching and Learning Environment and - Strengthening and Extending NIU’s Regional and Global Impact. In addition, the Foundation will give priority to those projects that are innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative, sustainable, and will enhance the image of NIU; that demonstrate community outreach; that may have the ability to attract additional gifts to the university for the initiative; or that make effective and creative use of new technology. Restrictions: In general, Venture Grants will not support: faculty/staff salary or benefits; curriculum development, basic day-to-day operational expenses; costs for capital projects such as space renovation etc., or basic infrastructure. Proposal Requirements: Proposals should include a title and a written description of the project in terms that are clear to those outside the discipline, not to exceed 3 pages, with particular attention given to the purpose, general expectations, priorities, and restrictions of the Venture Grant program listed above. In addition, the proposal should indicate how it would advance one or both of the strategic imperatives outlined in the priorities above. Grants Committee criteria for rating proposals will be based on these items. A detailed budget for the project should be included. Matching contributions to the project by the unit should be detailed as part of the total project budget. Grant proposals should demonstrate how the particular program proposed also advances the mission of the unit and fits its strategic plan. Applications from within Academic Affairs must come with letters of support from the department chair or director, as appropriate, and the dean. Applications from within the Division of Administration and University Outreach and Intercollegiate Athletics must come with letters of support from the applicant’s supervisor and the Vice-President for Administration and University Outreach or Athletics Director. Review Process: Proposals meeting the stated criteria shall be reviewed by the provost or respective vice-president and forwarded to the Foundation Grants Committee. All other proposals from eligible divisions that meet the stated criteria shall be considered by the committee. The Grants Committee will determine final approval of the grants and will notify the NIU Foundation Board of their selections. Finalists may be asked to meet with the Grants Committee. Applicants will be informed in writing of the Grant Committee’s decisions in mid-December. Grant Requirements: Grant recipients are expected to complete the project within the planned timeline. Grant recipients are expected to complete the project within the planned timeline. Grant recipients must expend award funds according to the specific plans outlined in their proposals. Funds may not be expended for generally related purposes. Any changes from the grant application in the timetable or budget expenditures must be submitted in writing to the Grants Committee for their approval. The Grants Committee may require a revised budget. Foundation support must be acknowledged in any communication/publicity/publications related to the funded project/grant purpose. (“This program was made possible in part by support from the Northern Illinois University Foundation.”) A final report must be submitted to the Grants Committee upon completion of the project, generally one year after the grant is awarded. This report will be shared with the NIU Foundation Board. Interim reports are not required unless there are changes as noted above.   Additional Information Venture Grant Application Venture Grant Budget Template Venture Grant Final Report Form