Grants & Sponsored Projects

Please read this information thoroughly.

Disclaimer: WSU Foundation special project grants are available only to WSU faculty and staff. Individuals and/or organizations not associated with WSU are not eligible to apply.   The Application for Winona State University Foundation Grant form must be completed online and printed (six copies).  Handwritten copies will not be accepted.  Questions should be addressed to the University Advancement Office, 210 Somsen Hall, ext. 5020.

 

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Grant Procedures for Special Projects 2007-2008
Winona State University Foundation

Dollars awarded via the Grants Committee of the WSU Foundation, Inc. are initially received as unrestricted gifts. These unrestricted donations come from a variety of sources--alumni, businesses/corporations, matching gift companies, and other friends of WSU. The purpose of the program is broad and designed to serve the curricular, professional and program development needs/priorities of the institution.

GRANTS COMMITTEE

Comprised of a minimum of four Foundation Trustees, this group is charged with the task of reviewing grant requests based on the dollars available and the priorities as established by the Board in consultation with the university administration.

GRANTS CRITERIA

Special Projects--Awarded to encourage a wide variety of projects which enhance the academic quality and reputation of the university and for which there is limited or no appropriated money available.

The proposal must present a clear plan describing the purpose of the project and the activities it will accomplish.

Priorities -- Funds will be awarded according to the following priorities which encourage the development of quality initiatives. (Note: Priorities are listed in order, and will be considered in this order, with number 1 being the highest priority and number 4 being the lowest priority.)

1. Unique one-time projects that lead to activities which attract students or other persons to the university so as to enhance the image of WSU.
2. Innovative research and/or curriculum development proposals that lead to new program development and which will have continued financial support from sources other than the Foundation.
3. Applied regional research that leads to scholarly publication and a greater awareness of university service to the region.
4. Travel to a conference or workshop to enhance expertise in a particular discipline or for the presentation of a paper.  Travel is not prohibited, but the budget may not permit funding.

GRANTS PROCEDURE

Eligibility - Any faculty or staff member of the university community may apply.

Application Forms - Available in the University Advancement Office (210 Somsen Hall). All forms must be typed.  Six (6) copies must be submitted by the stated deadlines. All application forms must be signed by the department chair and college dean or, if more appropriate, the vice president, to insure that both timing and optional funding sources were considered.  Application deadlines are posted and are firm.  The committee is unable to consider applications turned in past the due date. 

Proposal Deadlines -

• September 17, 2007 (Presentation date to the Committee: Sept. 24, 2007)
• January 7, 2008 (Presentation date to the Committee: Jan. 22, 2008)
• March 17, 2008 (Presentation date to the Committee: Mar 31, 2008)

Funding announcements will be made two to four weeks following each deadline for submission.

Review Process:

• The Grants Committee will read and evaluate each proposal on its own merits and its significance to the mission and case statement of the institution.

• The amount of funding may vary from year to year.
• Applicants may be asked to make an oral presentation at a Foundation meeting.

Considerations may include:

• Present institutional priorities
• Departmental priorities
• Value to the university/region relationship

Award Procedure:

• Once the committee has made its recommendations to the Foundation Trustees, letters of award or denial will promptly be sent to each applicant.
• Grantees will be notified of procedure for disbursement of grant monies.

Final Reports:

• All grantees must file an accomplishment report with the WSU Foundation within 60 days after the project ending date.
• Financial and project accomplishments are requested.

FURTHER GUIDELINES

• The proposed project should clearly be of benefit to the university.

• The proposed project normally is expected to be completed within a year. In some cases, a logical continuation could follow the report.
• Normally an individual cannot receive more than one award in a year. Everything else being equal, preference will be given to applicants who didn't receive a grant the previous year.
• The WSU Foundation requests that any publication, display, or presentation of any project funded should include appropriate recognition to the WSU Foundation.
• All property funded by the WSU Foundation must be recorded as part of WSU's inventory and have a fixed asset sticker applied.
• In case of any patentable product as a result of a grant-funded research project:
  
  1. Any inventions or intellectual properties developed must be disclosed to the Foundation.
  2. The Foundation will be given an opportunity to participate in the patent process.
  3. The Foundation retains the right to claim a fair and proportional benefit from the innovation.
• Funds granted must be spent solely for the purposes stated in the application. If funds are not used by the end of the project ending date, then the grantee must request an extension from the Grants Committee. Changes made to the original grant request require resubmission of the proposal.
• The Foundation prefers not to fund supplies.
• The Foundation will not fund academic course work toward graduate degrees or for post-graduate work.
• The Foundation prefers not to pay salaries for student assistants. If an exception is made and student salaries are approved, arrangements must be made to pay for the salaries via student help funding.  (The Foundation will reimburse the university for any such expenses.).
• The Foundation prefers not to pay honoraria for WSU faculty and/or staff.  If an exception is made, payments must be processed through the university's payroll system.

Applications and questions should be directed to:

The WSU Foundation
University Advancement Office
210 Somsen Hall
457-5020

 

Attachment

Application for Winona State University Foundation Grant

WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

The Winona State University Foundation was chartered in 1963 for the purpose of receiving, managing, and applying funds exclusively for charitable, scientific or educational activities for Winona State University.

Since its inception, the assets of the Foundation and its fund-raising activities have continued to support WSU programs and projects for academic enhancement beyond those provided by legislative assistance.

The Winona State University Foundation is comprised of 26 trustees, who give freely of their time and talents to aid the mission of the University.  Foundation Officers are:  Mike Speltz, Chair, Gary Evans -- Vice Chair, Tim Bennick -- Treasurer, Judy Schlawin -- Secretary.

In addition to the officers, the trustees are:  Robert "Bob" Brewer, Conway Elton, Patricia "Pat" Enz, Kent Gernander, Mark Jacobs, Thomas "Thom" Kieffer, Pauline Knight, Burl Leo, Ken Mogren, Robert Neis, Margaret Preska, Patricia "Pat" Rukavina, Mike Russell, Bob Strauss, Maynard "Mo" Weber, Shirley Weis, Dean Wendler, Roscoe Young and Ron Thurow -- Honorary Trustee.  Ex-officio members are Jim Meyer -- Alumni Society Liaison, and Kevin Cappel-- Warrior Club President.

SPECIAL PROJECTS COMMITTEE

The Special Projects Committee is primarily responsible for special program activities of the Foundation.  This includes developing proposal guidelines and criteria for projects intended to enhance WSU's academic mission and image, to improve the quality of its faculty or the level of its instruction, and to improve or enrich the learning or cultural experiences available to its students or the community.  The committee encourages, reviews and recommends funding for programs and projects at WSU for which there are no current funding sources available.  The Special Projects Committee members include: Bob Strauss, Chair, Pat Enz, Mike Arnold, Margaret Preska and Mary Rohrer -- WSU Liaison.