Grant Proposal Project

The Santa Cruz County Water Conservation District is awarding $5,000 grants◦ “For science and technology projects that facilitate

local water conservation efforts or advance the understanding of relevant water conservation issues.”

◦ Only for undergraduate students in Santa Cruz County.

Typical lengthAverage length tends to be 8-10

pages, including (typically): Cover page Title/Project Summary Problem Statement and Project Description

This typically runs two pages Methods Goals and Expected Deliverables Timeline Itemized Budget and Justification Biographical Sketches References

Project topicsYou can take one of many different

approaches towards your project:◦ Examples:

Analyzing drought resistance in local biological systems Designing filtration systems for water re-use Collecting water consumption data

Your project should make use of your engineering or lab research experience

You do not need to carry out this project, but you will need to design it

Individual or group project?You may design projects individually or in

groups of two students working together◦ Each of you will need to write and submit your own

proposal◦ Any group-designed project must list all students involved

in the project design

Assignment requirementsComplete the grant application form

and submit a printout of the forms◦ SAVE_GrantProposalApplication.docx

Complete each section

Adhere to the application format◦You MUST fit your text into the required

format◦Do not remove prompts or change

section headings

Formatting AdviceKeep application as clean and

clear as possible

Keep sections headings attached to their corresponding prompts and text boxes

Special consideration: Your budgetThe following budget items are not allowed:

◦ Staff or student salaries◦ Contractor expenses◦ University overhead charges

Any equipment purchased with the grant money will become property of UCSC

Material costs and transportation expenses are appropriate, but your requests should be reasonable◦ Specify these costs in your itemized budget

Budget example

Budget JustificationJustify each major budget item

What counts as a major budget item?◦ If your project requires buying a dozen 29-cent

LEDs, you likely don’t need to explain the choice

◦ If your project requires that you buy a 4000 watt generator, you should explain why you need a generator of this size

◦ Simply put, any part of your budget that might appear overpriced or unnecessary requires explanation

Timeline example

Biographical SketchBriefly explain your qualifications

to carry out this project◦Programming experience, lab

experience, etc.◦Relevant job experience◦Relevant course projects and general

coursework