"Ferris State University will be a national leader in providing opportunities for innovative teaching and learning in career-oriented, technological and professional education."

Funds have been established to support projects that represent the innovative and collaborative spirit of Ferris State University, including (but not limited to) the following types of endeavors: pilot programs; matching grant expenses; research or special projects that involve students, faculty, and/or other expert participation; enhancing faculty expertise or funding equipment dedicated to specific programmatic objectives; etc. Grant awards will not exceed $7,500.00 and are not renewable, however, previously funded projects may be considered by The Foundation. For projects involving animal and/or human subjects, such protocols must be approved by the appropriate University committee (Human Subjects Review Committee and/or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee) prior to grant approval.

Proposals received after February 22, 2008 or not adhering to the guidelines and format below will not be accepted or considered.

Proposals must be submitted in electronic format using the fillable PDF form (link below) and provide the following information to the extent that it is available:

1. Grant Application Cover Sheet: Please use the electronic form; it must be complete and include the proper signatures. Faculty must submit the name of your dean and department head/chair and administration and staff must submit the name of your supervisor and vice president. Upon receipt of your electronic submission, the Foundation assistant will acknowledge your application, then forward it to the individuals you submitted for approval. It will be your responsibility to follow up to ensure the proper signatures are obtained and the completed cover sheet is returned to the Foundation Office.
2. Narrative: When completing the narrative portion, please be brief and concise.
   
   1. A statement of how the project demonstrates exceptional merit in advancing the mission of Ferris State University (maximum 1 page). Include how the project compliments and enhances other efforts on campus and how the project will continue in the future.
   2. A brief description of the project being proposed and the desired outcomes (maximum 1 page).
   3. Timeline for project implementation and the names and qualifications of all individuals who are substantially responsible for pursuing the proposal's objectives.
3. Budget: A complete project budget which details how grant funds will be used. The budget should also describe the extent to which any additional resources beyond The Foundation's grant are needed and have been committed to the project. If requesting equipment, assess distribution/disposal upon completion of project. Food and beverage expenses will not be funded and therefore shall be excluded from the amount requested from the Foundation. For ongoing projects, please include a discussion of financial sustainability of the project or initiative.
4. Dissemination: Clearly define a specific two-part dissemination plan. Part one should be your plans to communicate to the campus, community, and other interested parties. Part two should identify your plans to communicate to the Ferris Foundation.
5. Evaluation: Projects funded will submit a project progress report, which shall be 2 pages or less, to the Ferris Foundation by December 5, 2008 with the final report due April 30, 2009. Recipients will receive report guidelines after awards are announced.
6. Protocols: For projects requiring protocol approval from either the Human Subjects Review Committee or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, please include a copy of the approval with your proposal.
7. Formatting:All proposals must be submitted using the fillable PDF form (link below). It is recommended that the narrative portions of the application be developed in Word, then copied and pasted into the document.

Grant Application

Attention: Please follow the directions for submitting the form exactly as presented in the "Proposal Guidelines and Content" section above. Follow these exact steps to submit your proposal:

• Open the form using the link at the bottom of the page.
• Fill in the form completely.
• Do not attempt to save the pdf form and send it to the Foundation Office. Your proposal will arrive blank! Instead, at the bottom of the form, you will find 2 buttons.
• Use the "Print" button to print a copy of the form for your records. You may also want to print another copy for your Dean or supervisor.
• Use the "Submit by Email" button to create an xml file attachment in your email program.
• After clicking on the "Submit by Email" button, your email program will create a message addressed to Kim Erickson in the Foundation Office. The email will have an xml attachment.
• Click "Send" on your email.
• The xml attachment contains your grant request information and the Foundation Office must receive it to process your proposal.
• We strongly recommend that you first create your proposal in Word, and then copy and paste it into the form. Once you begin filling out the form, you must complete it. You cannot save it and come back to it later.
• After submitting your proposal, you must take a copy to your Dean's office for approval and signature to be forwarded to the Foundation Office.
• Having problems with the form? There have been a few compatibility issues. Don't panic, call Mary Kay MacIver at x3739, and she will help you! You can also reach her by cell at 250.9920.

Please contact Kim Erickson at the Foundation Office if you have any questions regarding the process.

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader

2008-09 Merit Grant Application