Project Proposal Tip Sheet
Intent to Submit a Proposal

The following tips will help you answer the questions or complete the boxes in the online proposal intent form.

Section 1 Contact Info
Currently the Institute limits funding to Carlow faculty, staff, and students as the project proposer. Student groups should seek the assistance of their faculty advisor, although the group may be the proposer.

Section 2 Project Abstract
What are the project’s goals? What need or problem is the project addressing? What activities will take place? Who will be involved? 

Section 3 Project Parameters

• Start date: Projects should begin in the next semester. Proposals submitted in the spring may begin as early as July 1.
• End date: Projects generally last one year, but may be shorter or longer, if feasible.
• Target population: Whom will the project affect? Generally, there needs to be a Carlow effect—an influence on students, faculty, staff.
• Community partners: Groups that are active participants with Carlow people. In the spirit of feminist research/collaboration, community members should be included in planning and implementation as participants, not subjects, as in traditional research projects.

Section 4 Project Plan Outline

• Major Tasks/Activities: What will the project do? Provide steps to accomplish what is described in the abstract. Examples:
• Host a speaker and discussion.
• Conduct a survey of those attending.
• Develop a strategic follow-up plan.
• Outcome/Product: What will be the end result? Provide evidence of completion or change in the target population. Examples:
• Fifty students, faculty and staff will attend the presentation.
• Seventy-five percent will indicate that they gained new information.
• The project will publish a strategic plan to improve race relations on campus and identify a team of students, faculty, and staff to begin implementation.

Section 5 Relationship to Institute Mission
All projects must support the mission of the Institute and should include Carlow students, and/or faculty, and/or staff. Projects should identify as research or education/service learning or community outreach/collaboration; projects may fit more than one category.

“Women-centered” means that the project focuses particularly on improving the status of women in some way; it may also benefit others at the same time. It also uses women-centered or feminst methodology, such as dealing with race, class or gender; approaching things from an interdisciplinary perspective; or seeking to include the voices of people who are commonly silenced in our society.

“Challenges systemic oppression” means that the project attempts to undermine the forces, attitudes, or institutions that disadvantage certain groups of people. Although helping individual in need is a worthy goal, the mission of the Institute is to address the larger causes of the problem.

Section 6 Institute Support Requested
Project funding maximums are currently $1500 per project. Projects who have previously received funding may apply again but should identify discrete project goals for each application as part of a larger strategic plan. Projects may also apply for non-monetary assistance, as indicated.

Further Help With This Intent Form
Many people find it helpful to discuss their ideas with an Institute co-facilitator or a previous awardee.

Contact:
James Kelly, Ph.D., Social Work
E: jmkelly@carlow.edu
P: 412-578-8853

Jennifer-Snyder-Duch, Ph.D., Communications
E: jsnyder-duch@carlow.edu
P: 412-578-6347