Faculty and Staff Merit Grants

Merit Grant Process

In addition to submitting your electronic request for proposal, you will be expected to present your project in person to the Gifts and Grants Committee of The Ferris Foundation Board of Directors.

The Ferris Foundation, acting under the authority of its Board of Directors, respectfully requests the submission of proposals from those who are interested in pursuing projects that demonstrate exceptional merit in advancing the mission of Ferris State University. 

To foster academic collaboration and maximize academic project initiatives, extra consideration (more weight) will be given to projects that have obtained outside funding from partnering with business and industry or outside government agencies toward the estimated proposal total.

Please click on the right menu to view the mission and purpose of The Ferris Foundation.

Grant awards will not exceed $7,500 and are not renewable, however, previously funded projects may be considered by The Ferris Foundation.

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

To foster academic collaboration and maximize academic project initiatives, applicants must demonstrate that they have done appropriate due diligence in obtaining outside funding through partnerships with business and industry, outside government agencies, and/or college/program/department funds toward the estimated proposal total. The Ferris Foundation should not be the sole funding group of a project. Grant awards will not exceed $7,500 and are not renewable; however, previously funded projects may be considered by The Ferris Foundation.

Please click on the right menu to view the mission and purpose of The Ferris Foundation.

**It is not the intent of the grant to fund/provide;

• Food and beverage expense
• Direct compensation for faculty/staff wages
• Publication fees
• Patent costs

Student salaries are considered on a case by case basis.

Merit Grant Form

Proposal Content

Proposals will be submitted in electronic format and provide the following information to the extent that it is available:

• Grant Application Cover Sheet: Please print and use the online cover sheet; it must be complete, include the proper signatures, and be submitted before the deadline.
• Narrative: A brief description of the project being proposed and the desired outcomes. When completing the narrative portion, please be brief and concise.
• Relevance: Please share the relevance of the project and how this aligns with the mission, vision, core values, and strategic plan of Ferris State University.
• Assessment Plan: Explain how you will assess the outcomes of the project.
• Milestones: Please include milestones and expected completion dates.
• Dissemination: Please describe how you will disseminate the results of your project to the University, community, and your greater academic/professional community.
• IRB Status (if applicable): Please discuss if IRB is required and where the proposal is at within the IRB process.
• Conflict of Interest: Discuss any potential conflicts of interest.
• Budget: A complete project budget which details how grant funds will be used. The budget should also describe the extent to which additional resources beyond The Foundation's grant have been committed to the project.
  • Note that 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.

Grant Application Submission Guidelines

Proposals received after 5:00 p.m. on the final day of submission or not adhering to the guidelines  will not be accepted or considered.

Please contact Kathy Mullins at [email protected] or 231-591-3825 if you have any questions regarding the process.

Recipient Reporting Requirements

Recipients must create two reports – a mid-year report due in December and a final report due in April .

If your question is not listed here, please contact Kathy Mullins at [email protected] or 231-591-3825
 at The Foundation office.