Grants under the Project Fund support activities that typically are sustained over a set period of time (summer, semester, academic year) and that involve budget requests ranging from $1,001 to $25,000. Grants designed to create transformational institutional change may range up to $50,000.

What types of activities can be supported by a mentoring project grant?

Mentoring project grants strengthen the mentoring culture at Wilkes by funding activities that support meaningful mentoring relationships. Past awards have focused on summer research experiences for undergraduates, interpreted broadly to include research, scholarly, or artistic activities that pair an experienced faculty member with a student for a sustained summer project. We will continue to encourage requests for research, scholarly and artistic experience grants that connect students with faculty mentors. Proposals that request funding for new approaches to mentoring for faculty, students (graduate and undergraduate) and staff are also encouraged, as are projects that pair Wilkes students with K-12 students.

What budgetary items can be covered by a mentoring project grant?

A project grant can be used to underwrite stipends for mentors, summer salary for student researchers, necessary materials and supplies, and travel expenses if they can be justified as integral to the proposed project.

Are there restrictions on items or activities that will be considered for funding under a mentoring project?

Mentoring project grants cannot be used for scholarships or tuition, for costs associated with credit-bearing study tours, for computers and computer peripherals, capital improvements or equipment, or to underwrite activities or responsibilities that fall within the normal or customary responsibilities of a department or office. The mentoring project fund will not consider applications that request funds to supplement a department’s or program’s operating budget or to primarily underwrite food or beverage expenses (Mentoring Task Force has provided unit deans with an allocation to support social activities among faculty, staff and their majors). While some proposed projects may directly or indirectly benefit individuals who are not affiliated with the University, applicants are reminded that members of the Wilkes community should be the primary beneficiaries of grant funding.

The Review Committee reserves the right to adjust line item requests.

What are the most common reasons that proposals don’t get funded?

Applicants are encouraged to follow the guidelines carefully and complete each section of the application. The reviewers will not look favorably on proposals and/or budgets that are disorganized, confusing or vague. Applicants should be as detailed as possible in describing the proposed activity and in explaining how the activity cultivates a meaningful mentoring relationship. While it is important to develop the context of the activity that a grant would underwrite, proposals should not focus primarily on the details of the research, scholarly or creative project itself, but on the benefits of the activity in supporting learning and helping to meet the developmental needs of the proposed mentee(s).

How do I access funds if I get a mentoring project grant?

Amy Edwards, the Coordinator of Grants Management in the Office of Grant Support, will assist you in managing the budget, submitting any paperwork that may be required by human resources or payroll for faculty, staff and students, and maintaining required documentation on purchases made with grant funding.

MINI-GRANT FAQ’s
Mini-grants are $1000 or less, and support activities that are usually of shorter duration and less logistic complexity than Project Fund grants.

What types of activities can be supported by a mini-grant?

In the first round of funding, mini-grants were typically awarded to underwrite student travel to conferences or for field trips. As we expand the opportunity to apply for these grants to projects that support faculty and staff as well as students, we expect that requests will cover a broader range of activities, such as funding for speakers or educational materials. We expect that excellent ideas will come from the proposals themselves and are not prepared at this time to provide a list of “safe” requests: almost everything is open that supports our mentoring efforts.

Are there any restrictions on items or activities that will be considered for funding under a mini-grant?

At the present time, grant requests that exceed 15-20% for food and beverage costs will not be funded. Requests that seek to underwrite professional development or development of technical skills without a strong mentoring component will not be funded.

How will I access mini-grant funding if I get an award?

As with Project Fund grants, Amy Edwards will work with grantees to help ensure compliance with any required paperwork or documentation of spending.