Catalyst Award Seed Grant

Supported campus wide, the Catalyst Award Seed Grants are targeted toward creative projects with immediate impact implications for enhancing the diversity goals of The Iowa Promise. Preference will be given to collaborative grants that support projects and programs which advance cross-cultural understanding, strengthen positive inter-group relations, and promote more welcoming learning, living and working environments. 

Activities are encouraged that cross curricular, co-curricular and/or extra-curricular domains. Funds are designed to provide seed money for start-up projects or programs that have potential sustainability as well as short-term projects that demonstrate significance and impact.  It is not designed for long-term support for on-going programs. 

GUIDELINES:

1. Submitted in paper or electric form

2. Currently enrolled or employed by the university

3. Collaboration between at least two groups, departments, or organizations at The University of Iowa

4. Evaluations must be administered and appended to a brief final report

5. All publicity and advertising must acknowledge the Catalyst Award Seed Grant funding source

6. Restrictions: Funds are restricted and may not be used in the following manner:

1. support speakers unless tied to a training or workshop

2. involve the sale of tickets

3. activities held off campus

4. newsletters, journals, newspapers

5. student stipends

6. the purchase of food
7. Final report must be submitted within 30 days of completion of project

ELIGIBILITY
Available to University of Iowa faculty, staff, students and administrators, this grant will distribute up to $1000 sums that will be distributed and monitored by the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity.  Since the grants are rather small, it is important that funds are targeted toward creative projects with efforts that support the diversity goal of The Iowa Promise or complement existing diversity efforts on campus.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Projects will be evaluated based on the following:

• Programming that focus on a warm and welcoming climate

• Activities that enable sustainable efforts in the campus climate

• Evidence of collaboration across groups, departments or organizations at The University of Iowa

• Quality and breadth of impact as well as sustainability

• Potential to engage large numbers of the community or those not already involved in diversity efforts at The University of Iowa

• Measurable impact on the diversity goals of The University of Iowa

• Must be completed within calendar year 2010

REVIEW:
Proposals will be examined by the Catalyst Award Seed Grant Committee.  Members are charged with reviewing projects and recommending levels of funding.  In cases where there is a conflict of interest, committee members will absent themselves from the discussion. Applications are to be submitted by December 1, 2009. Recipients will be notified by January 1, 2010 and will receive funding when the project occurs.  Funds must be expended by December 31, 2010.  A list of proposals funded by the Catalyst Award Seed Grant will be available on the Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity website.

Flyer

Proposal Cover Sheet

Brochure

Report Template