DiscoverE Collaboration Grants – DUE: Open

DiscoverE Collaboration Grants Overview

Are you launching a new engineering outreach program or have exciting ideas to improve an existing program or event? Fund your project with a DiscoverE Collaboration Grant! The goals of this grant program are to facilitate collaboration within the engineering community and to engage youth (particularly underserved K-12 students) with hands-on learning experiences and events that inspire an interest and understanding of engineering.

Five $1000 grants are available to help fund programs that are led by a diverse team of at least three partnering organizations who are inspiring others to discover engineering. College students, working engineers, educators and volunteers are welcome to apply.

Eligibility Requirements

• Limited to local organizations in the U.S.
• A project/program requires collaboration among at least three different organizations for funding consideration:
  • One must be a DiscoverE Steering Committee member and one other from a DiscoverE Diversity Council member. Lists are available here: Steering Committee & Diversity Council.
  • Both student and professional chapters/sections are eligible.
• Projects/programs are not limited to those in the DiscoverE portfolio, but those connected to DiscoverE will be given additional weight. See below for project examples.  To explore all DiscoverE programs, click here.
• Programs do not need to be new, but must meet requirements above.
• Applications must be submitted online. Click here to review the online form.  Please note: The online form cannot save partially completed applications. Be sure to assemble all the content and return to the online form when you are ready.
• A short report is due upon project completion. Report will be submitted online.
• Digital photos and quotes/anecdotes from the project/program must be submitted for the report to be considered complete.
• Photo releases will be required for all report photos. Click here to download the release form for adults and the release form for minors.For large events where releases are not possible, be sure to post a sign notifying attendees that photos may be taken and used by DiscoverE for educational purposes. Preview the language here.
• DiscoverE Collaboration Grants are intended to help fund programs and events led by not-for-profit organizations. If you are applying as a for-profit organization or corporation, your application may not be considered.

Funding

• Up to five grants of $1,000 each will be awarded.
• Grantees will receive $750 upon winning the grant and $250 upon submission of an outcomes report to DiscoverE headquarters.
• Funds can be used for programmatic support, such as: site rental; food (lunches for students, etc.); bus transportation, photography, educational materials and essential project supplies.
• Funds cannot be used for alcoholic beverages, indirect charges/administrative overhead, capital expenditures or computer hardware or software.

Timeline

• Deadline: Rolling. Applications are reviewed as received and until DiscoverE annual funding committed.
• Applications will be reviewed by DiscoverE staff and representatives of the Steering Committee and Diversity Council.
• Applicants will be notified of a decision within three to four weeks of submission.
• Projects/programs must be completed within one year of the application.

Project Examples

Engineers Week – Student and/or professional chapters host joint meetings with guest speakers; host activities for all campus to experience engineering; jointly host day on campus in engineering for local middle or high school students; chapters host viewing party for fall Engineers Week kick-off Webcast. Funds can cover transportation, food, site rental, photography, printing flyers, etc.

Girl Day – Student chapters jointly host Girl Day on campus; chapters host mother/daughter events with role models and speakers in a professional setting. Funds can cover transportation, food, site rental, speaker fees, photography, etc.

Future City Competition – Professional and/or student chapters provide transportation and mentors for field trips; volunteers mentor teams and help at local competitions.  Funds can cover team registration fees, food for meetings, project supplies, and transportation.

Global Marathon For, By and About Women in Engineering & Technology – Host a champion event jointly. Champion events are local activities that connect and benefit women in E&T and can be as simple as a coffee. See our toolkit.

Other – Work with students in K-12 with hands-on activities and buy supplies, refreshments; help Boy or Girl Scouts jointly with badges and buy supplies. Host a public event such as a lecture at a local science center.  Host an engineering night at a local elementary school for students and parents. Also: diversity trainings, competitions, camps, pre-college outreach, leadership summits, workshops.

Application

Click here to apply now