NYSSAPS Outreach Grants for Physics Education

NYSS-APS Outreach Grant Program

The NYSS-APS Outreach Grant program supports projects that increase public understanding and appreciation of physics, with a particular focus on K-12 students. People affiliated with non-profit organizations can apply for up to $2,000 to fund educational programming in the NYSS-APS service area. The number of grants awarded each cycle depends on the Section's outreach budget for that period. Award recipients may also receive an additional $200 to offset travel costs for presenting their results at a Section meeting. Proposals must be submitted one week before the relevant meeting, so consult the Fall or Spring meeting schedule.

Proposal Guidelines

A. Purpose

NYSS-APS offers seed funding for initiatives that bring physics learning opportunities to the public, particularly K-12 students. Projects that could develop into sustained programming are especially encouraged. Proposals designed to increase participation and achievement among groups underrepresented in science, mathematics, and engineering will be given special consideration.

B. Eligibility

Proposals are welcome from individuals affiliated with non-profit institutions—such as universities, colleges, community colleges, secondary schools, museums, and other educational non-profits—who intend to carry out educational activities in the NYSS-APS service region. The target audience must be located in New York or a neighboring state or province. Undergraduate and graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply. At least one proposer must currently hold or have previously held an affiliation with a higher education institution, a New York State-based industrial R&D center, or a not-for-profit educational organization. If an institution or organization has previously received an outreach grant, all reports and presentations must be fully completed before a new proposal can be considered.

C. Size of Awards

Applicants can request up to $2,000, though smaller amounts are encouraged. The number of grants awarded and the amount for each will depend on the quality of the proposals and the funds available in the NY State Section budget. An extra $200 may be provided to each individual or group for travel to present results at a Section meeting.

D. Proposal Format

Each proposal must include:

• A completed grant application form with all required signatures (available on the Outreach web-site).
• A project summary suitable for posting on the Outreach web-site in electronic format.
• A narrative of no more than two pages covering: planned activities; targeted audience or grade levels; a statement of how the activities will raise awareness of physics topics among the general public and/or encourage the study of physics among K-12 students; the names of those who will plan and carry out the activities; a timeline; and an itemized budget detailing the requested funds and any matching funds, including the source, amount, and purpose of the matching funds.

E. Deadlines

Proposals can be submitted during each funding cycle—provided the previous year's reports and presentations are complete where applicable—to the chair of the NYSS-APS outreach committee (contact details below) no later than one week before the NYSS-APS Fall or Spring Meeting. Grants are awarded at the Fall and Spring NYSS-APS meetings, typically held in October and April.

F. Criteria for Judging

The committee's primary criterion is the potential positive impact on educating the public—especially K-12 students and underrepresented groups in STEM—about physics-related topics. Plans to share information about the project, particularly the development of educational materials for distribution, are strongly encouraged.

G. Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include supplies, equipment, printing, computing costs, and local travel. Salaries and overhead (indirect costs) cannot be charged. When all else is equal, preference will be given to proposals where in-kind costs are covered by other parties, such as the proposer's academic institution or the beneficiary elementary or secondary school.

H. Report

A brief report describing the activities and accomplishments, including the final accounting, is due by January 1 or June 1 of the following year for grants awarded at the previous Fall or Spring meeting, respectively. Submit the report to the chair of the Outreach committee. An oral or poster presentation is required at the corresponding Fall or Spring NYSS symposium one year after the grant was awarded. The narrative portion will be posted on the Outreach web-site; please indicate whether you consent to having your contact information included with the narrative. Digital photographs of outreach activities for the web-site are highly encouraged, as is electronic submission of the final report. No further outreach grants will be awarded until both the report and the poster presentation have been fully completed.

I. Operation

The program is managed by the Executive Committee of the NYSS-APS. A committee of members selected by the Executive Committee and appointed by the Section Chair reviews proposals and determines awards.

Outreach Committee Contact

Chair of the Outreach Committee: Erica Simoson, Physics Department, State University of New York at Fredonia, 280 Central Ave., Fredonia, NY 14063.

Local Information and Program Contacts

• Dr. Carl Ventrice, SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Dr. Samuel Amanuel, Union College
• Dr. Allison Smith, Arecibo Observatory
• Dr. Rebecca Koopmann, Union College

NYSS-APS Information

For NYSS-APS information, contact Dr. Kenneth R. Podolak at 518-564-3193.

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