Northern Illinois University Foundation Guidelines: Venture Grants Current Annual Budget: $55,000 Grants Cycle: once annually Grant Deadlines: February 2, 2007 proposals to the Grants Committee, c/o NIU Foundation, 135 Altgeld Hall, DeKalb, Illinois 60115. Grant Amounts NIU Foundation anticipates funding 2-4 proposals a year at a minimum of $5,000 and up to $20,000. Purpose: Venture Grants support unit activities that are venturesome in increasing awareness of NIU’s stature/image in research, teaching, learning, and outreach. Eligibility: Faculty and staff from units within the Division of Academic and Student Affairs, the Division of Administration and University Outreach, and Athletics. General Expectations: Projects should involve students and/or be of direct benefit to students; have clear outcomes and timely results, and include matching support from the department/unit or elsewhere. Priorities: The Foundation will give priority to projects that are innovative, interdisciplinary, collaborative, sustainable, and will enhance the image of NIU; that demonstrate community outreach; that may have the ability to attract additional gifts to the university for the initiative; or that make effective and creative use of new technology. Restrictions: In general, Venture Grants will not support: faculty/staff salary or benefits; curriculum development, basic day-to-day operational expenses; costs for capital projects such as space renovation etc., or basic infrastructure. Proposal Requirements: Proposals should include a title and a written description of the project in terms that are clear to those outside the discipline, not to exceed 3 pages, with particular attention given to the purpose, general expectations, priorities, and restrictions of the Venture Grant program listed above. Grants Committee criteria for rating proposals will be based on these items. A detailed budget for the project should be included. Grant proposals should demonstrate how the particular program proposed also advances the mission of the unit and fits its strategic plan. Funding pledges to the project by the unit should be detailed as part of the total project budget. Applications from within Academic Affairs must come with letters of support from the dean and department chair or director, as appropriate. Applications from within Athletics and the Division of Administration and University Outreach must come with letters of support from the respective division head. Review Process: Proposals meeting the stated criteria from Academic Affairs shall be reviewed by the provost and forwarded to the Foundation Grants Committee. All other proposals from eligible divisions that meet the stated criteria shall be considered by the committee. Grants Committee will determine final approval of the grants and will notify the NIU Foundation Board of their selections. Finalists may be asked to meet with the Grants Committee. Applicants will be informed in writing of the Grant Committee’s decisions no later than the first week of April. Grant Requirements: Grant recipients are expected to complete the project within the planned timeline. Grant recipients must expend award funds according to the specific plans outlined in their proposals. Funds may not be expended for generally related purposes. Any changes from the grant application in the timetable or budget expenditures must be submitted in writing to the Grants Committee for their approval. The Grants Committee may require a revised budget. Foundation support must be acknowledged in any communication/publicity/publications related to the funded project/grant purpose. (“This program was made possible in part by support from the Northern Illinois University Foundation.”) A final report must be submitted to the Grants Committee upon completion of the project, generally one year after the grant is awarded. This report will be shared with the NIU Foundation Board. Interim reports are not required unless there are changes as noted above.   Additional Information Venture Grant Application Venture Grant Final Report Form