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EiF welcomes grant proposals that fit our current program areas.
The Foundation has partnered with Foundation Source to manage our grants application process through their online portal called the GivingHub. See detailed instructions below.
Review Process and Deadlines
Grant submission deadlines are February 28 and August 31. All proposals are reviewed by EiF’s Board of Directors in April and October. Decisions on applications will generally be forwarded within two weeks following the board meeting.
Organizations may submit ONE proposal per program area per cycle for a total of two proposals.
Requests may only include the direct costs to be incurred in the proposed project or program. No overhead is allowed.
Grants up to $25,000 will be considered.
Restrictions
EiF is unable to Fund:
*requests solely for equipment
*general overhead (things like rent, electricity for classroom use etc.)
*campaigns
*hosting a conference
*scholarships, fellowships, assistantships
*support for doctoral candidates (tuition remission). Funds can be used to pay doctoral candidates or PhD students for their time managing the project
*loans
Criteria for Selection
Proposals should begin with a problem statement and make a case for why this problem is significant and why the approach recommended is the best to solve it. Grants are awarded based on a good fit with EiF's program areas and budgetary considerations.
Proposals will be judged on the following criteria: the overall quality of the proposal; the alignment with EiF program objectives; the expected contributions and benefits of the proposed project; the measures of project outcomes; the cost effectiveness of the proposed project; and the proposed plan for evaluating outcomes and cost effectiveness.
EiF typically receives over 50 applications each cycle, and funds only 4-5 proposals, about a 7% approval rate. To have the best opportunity to be funded, please review the following information before applying.
The best proposals will contain the following objectives and information:
Objectives
Clearly describe the objectives of the proposed project, as well as the resources, activities, and participants needed to achieve the objective. Make sure to summarize how the proposed project aligns with EiF program criteria.
Costs
The costs of the proposed project demonstrate how the budget is cost effective relative to the proposed activities and outcomes, especially the number of participants who would benefit.
EiF is willing to consider proposals that request partial funding for a larger project. However, to be competitive, the applicant must demonstrate clearly that the additional funds required for the larger project have already been secured or will be by the proposed start date of the project.
Plan of Work
Successful grant applications provide a definitive plan of work. The plan should include the goals, activities, deliverables, and the budget and timeline for achieving them.
Applicants who request funding for planning indicate they are not ready to undertake the proposed project, and unlikely to be successfully funded
Impact & Evaluation
A detailed evaluation plan carefully designed to measure the success of the proposed project in achieving its objectives.
Applicant must describe how the proposed project would contribute to an understanding and solution of the problem being addressed, and how the participants and engineering community would benefit.
Supporting information:
Detailed budget
Program goals and objectives
Statement of work tasks to be accomplished, with timeline
Staff qualifications
An endorsement letter from the President, Provost, Vice President of the Office of Sponsored Programs supporting your application. This endorsement letter is required, and your application will not be funded without an endorsement letter sent from the proper organizational official.
Information about the organization. Evidence of tax status is confirmed by your tax EIN number, which is then matched to the IRS non-profit database, so please have that ready. Non-U.S. institutions will be asked additional questions regarding directors/key personnel, financial statements, and sources of support. If you have an affidavit of equivalency, and/or name of intermediary organization, please upload that.
Application Instructions
What to Do
You will need to enter your proposal through the GivingHub.
Applications are submitted through the GivingHub applicant portal. The GivingHub allows applicants to log in to access applications, reports, and download completed forms.
Describe your program and why we should fund it. Suggested length for the basic proposal is 3-5 pages.
1) You will need to create a GivingHub account to begin. Click the 'Begin' button below and answer a few brief questions regarding your eligibility for a grant from EiF.
2) After completing the questionnaire, and if you are eligible to apply, you will see the GivingHub account page. Once you create an account, you will need to click the 'Start' button and answer the eligibility questionnaire one more time to associate it with your new account. Once logged in, you can access your current application and add team members.
NOTE: If you have any problems creating your account, logging in to the account, using the account, etc., go to GivingHub support. Then we will ask for details on your organization, contact information, and the proposal you wish to have funded.
EiF is committed to reducing barriers to completing your proposal. Please email ejsanders2@outlook.com or call (929) 286-2858 if you encounter any issues or have questions.
To start the application process, begin here.
Terms of a Successful Grant Application
Payment: Payment of the grant funds will be made when applicants agree to the grant terms and complete the financial details needed for EiF to process payment.
Terms: Under United States law, the Engineering Information Foundation's grant funds may be expended only for charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes. All applicants must qualify as exempt from taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and its classification as "not a private foundation".
Grants are made only for the purposes stated in the application, and it is understood that these grant funds will be used for such purposes substantially in accordance with the approved budget. No substantial variances will be made from the budget without EiF's prior approval in writing. Any grant funds not expended or committed for the purposes of the grant, or within the period stated earlier, will be returned to EiF.
Evaluation: A written report is to be furnished at the end of the grant period. The report should contain:
narrative account* of what was accomplished, including a description of progress made toward achieving the goals of the grant
*Suggestions for questions to be addressed in the narrative account include:What do you feel were the lasting benefits of this project?
Were you able to fulfill the goals set by your organization in the grant application?
What problems did you encounter during the course of this project?
If you were to do this project again, would you do it differently? If so, how?
What are your specific plans, if any, for continuing the work started by this project?
financial account
copies of any publications resulting from the grant that have appeared or are in preparation.
EiF may monitor and conduct a review of operation under your grant, which may include a visit from EiF personnel to observe your program, discuss the program and finances with your personnel, and review financial and other records and materials connected with the activities financed by the grant.
Public Disclosure: EiF will include information on grants made in its periodic public reports. We may also refer to your grant in a press release, a copy of which would be sent to you in advance. If you wish to make your own press announcement, please send a copy of the draft of your announcement to EiF for its prior approval.