Get Funded
The matching grants and exclusive discounts from LI-COR cover a significant portion of the LEEF packages. The remaining cost is the responsibility of the institution. Funding and grants can come from a variety of places. LI-COR will provide a mentor and assistance in the grant writing process. The following information may help in locating funds to cover the remaining cost of the LEEF packages.
The LI-COR Advantage:
The LEEF Program has several advantages, making it easier for you to achieve funding:
- LI-COR instruments have a proven track record of success in undergraduate programs
- Program supports inquiry-based learning and research driven project models.
- Program includes an exclusive discount or matching fund to primarily undergraduate institutions.
Tips/Advice:
Writing a detailed course proposal outlining the use of the LEEF Package in your classroom can be very helpful. Before writing the course proposal, you should determine the grant for which you are going to apply. You will then need to get the necessary proposal preparation and submission instruction for that particular grant. Some grants require a letter of intent which should be submitted by the appropriate deadline. Letters of intent may also require the scope of your proposal as well as a proposal outline. Ideas for scope and outline can be put together by looking at courses that have been implemented at other universities and then developing a plan that best suits your particular goals.
Full proposals should follow the guidelines outlined by the particular granting agency. See the following site for an example: Visit site.
Funding Opportunities:
Many LEEF award recipients have indicated their funding came from a variety of sources. Departmental grants, start-up funds, dean or president's funds, NSF, TUES, HHMI, Waksman Foundation, and large gift donations are just a few. Here are some places you may want to look for funding:
- Your University's Presidential Discretionary Fund (Many recipients have indicated that their school has one - just ask)
- Dean/Vice President/Provost budget
- Department program resources
- State and local government funds that can be used to impact under represented undergrads
- Camile & Henry Dreyfus Fund
- In broad terms, the programs support young faculty of exciting potential or early accomplishment, develop leadership in environmental chemistry, support undergraduate research with emeritus faculty, and openly solicit for projects that advance the chemical sciences at all levels
- HHMI - Howard Hughes Medical Institute
- Research Corporation
- TUES Grants
- Being able to point to a matching source (LI-COR) for funding is a plus for NSF grants (according to NSF officers)
- Phase I grants are $150k max and do contain funding for equipment
- Foundation Directory
- NSF
- Grantsnet
- Waksman Foundation
- RUI Grants
- Pitt Con memorial National College Grants Program
- www.grantadvisor.com
- Foundation Center
- Smithsonian Institution Educational Outreach Fund
- Kresge Foundation
- Murdock Charitable Trust
- Student Research Clubs (i.e. form a club and get club funding)
- NCER (Environmental Protection Agency)
- Community Individuals or corporations (Campus Provost should be able to help)
- Local public trusts or foundations
- AT&T Foundation focuses support on education, and they encourage efforts to win student interest and involvement in mathematics, science and engineering. They also support programs that focus on the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning.
- Ford Foundation seeks to enhance educational opportunity, especially for low-income and chronically disadvantaged groups. They want you to write a brief letter of inquiry about your project before you write a full proposal. Applications are considered year-round.
- General Electric Fund has two pre-college grant programs: College Bound and Early Years. College Bound is a partnership between schools and General Electric businesses focused on doubling the rate of college attendance from low-income and inner-city schools near General Electric communities. Early Years grants are given to low-income schools near General Electric facilities to support volunteers' work with elementary schools students learning to read, and to improve math and science. If you submit a grant application to the Fund, be sure you review their Eligibility Guidelines. You may submit grants at any time.
- W. K. Kellogg Foundation has several different programs to which you can apply.
- The Lilly Endowment does not have a website. It was established in 1937 by members of the Lilly family as a vehicle by which to pursue their personal philanthropic interests. The address is: Lilly Endowment, Inc., P. O. Box 88068, Indianapolis, IN 46208 Phone: 317-924-5471 Fax:317-926-4431
- John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is known mostly for its $500,000 Fellows program, but has a Human and Community Development Program for schools. Limited only for organizations in Chicago and Palm Beach County, FL and the regions immediately around them can be supported.
- Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has a program for Cost Effective Uses of Technology in Teaching , which could be used by regional groups of schools.
- The David and Lucile Packard Foundation provides grants to non-profit organizations in the broad areas of Science and Children. The foundation has a special focus on the northern California counties of San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey.
- Pew Charitable Trusts is a national philanthropy, but they maintain a strong commitment to the Philadelphia, PA area.
- Rockefeller Foundation has a Working Communities component that encompasses improving all urban schools.
- Soros or Open Society Institute is sponsored by George Soros, and has a Youth Initiatives Program that is youth-focused. They will consider grant requests up to $75K. Deadlines have not been determined, so check the website periodically.
- Wal-Mart Foundation has several initiatives supporting education, including Teacher of the Year. 97% of their funding is directed by the local Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and/or their distribution centers.
- Robert W. Woodruff Foundation gives only to charities located in the state of Georgia. One of their program areas is elementary, secondary and higher education.