Piscataway Education Foundation
Inspire Grant Program 2017-18
Do you want to bring a new idea to the Piscataway School District
to inspire 21st century learners?
What is the Inspire Grant Program?
The Piscataway Education Foundation supports new approaches and creative strategies for teaching and learning. We know that some of the best ideas for these approaches and strategies can be found within our own staff of dedicated educators. Through the Inspire Grant Program, we hope to fund proposals from teachers across the district that support the district theme You...I…We Inspire. We want to fund ideas that inspire you as educators – and that will inspire your students, our families, and the entire Piscataway staff – to make positive choices and to be the best they can be. This is your opportunity to stretch your creativity, think “outside the box”, and receive funding for non-traditional teaching methods.
Inspire Grants
Up to $20,000 in total is offered by the Piscataway Education Foundation for Inspire Grants. These funds will support multiple grants, depending upon the proposals received, and we hope to support as many teachers as possible through this effort. Please bear this in mind when putting together an application – we would much prefer to fund 20, $1000 grants over one, $20,000 grant.
Teachers can apply for individual grants or can work in teams to develop grant proposals. Preference will be given to outside the box and risk-taking ideas. Some examples of projects include creating science labs in alternate locations, developing learning networks across grades or schools, giving students hands-on science experiences, altering your learning environment to make it more engaging, or using new technologies.
Grant awards may be used for any combination of materials, training, speakers, technology, etc. Funds cannot be used to purchase curriculum materials that are traditionally purchased through the regular school budget process.
The Inspire Grant Evaluation Process
The deadline for proposals is Friday June 2, 2017. All proposals must be approved by the building principal prior to submission. Each building principal will review this process. Proposals will undergo an evaluation based on the following criteria:
o supports district theme You…I…We Inspire -- to inspire learning in and out of the classroom with hard work and integrity
o supports and enhances the curriculum(a)
o is creative and innovative
o can be replicated
o has a clearly defined budget
o includes an evaluation process
Grant awards will be announced in September 2016. Approved materials will be purchased by the Piscataway Township School District through funds donated by the Education Foundation.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Judy Palermo, Piscataway Education Foundation Board Member/Inspire Grant Program Chair at .
Piscataway Education Foundation
Inspire Grant Program Application 2017-2018
COVER SHEET
Name: _______________________________________________________
E-mail: _______________________________________________________
School: ______________________________________________________
Grade/Subject/Specialty: ________________________________________
Grant Title: __________________________________________________
Budget: ______________________________________
Will Your Grant Require Assistance from the Facilities Department? _____ yes _____ no
Principal Review: _______________________________________________ (Signature)
Submit proposal by 6/2/17 to:
Piscataway Education Foundation
1515 Stelton Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
c/o Judy Palermo, Inspire Grant Chair
via e-mail to:
Piscataway Education Foundation
Inspire Grant Program Application 2017-2018
Please answer the following questions (Sections I, II, III, IV, and V), using the headings below.
I. Statement of Purpose (limit 250 words):
What is the purpose of your grant proposal and how will your program enrich the educational experience of your students?
How does your proposal support the district theme of You…I…We Inspire?
II. Implementation (limit 500 words):
Who would benefit from your proposal? Approximately how many students would be involved in the program or project activities?
Does your proposal support interdisciplinary opportunities for students?
What is the time frame for implementing your proposal? Please provide a time line for program implementation.
Can the project or activities be replicated? If so, how would this occur?
III. Innovation and/or Creativity (limit 250 words):
Describe the innovative and/or creative elements of your program or project that will inspire 21st century learners.
Inspire Grant Application/2
IV. Budget:
Please note: Funds cannot be used to purchase curriculum materials that are traditionally purchased through the regular school budget process.
List the expenses for your project/program using the following format:
Item/Expense Brief Description of Use Item Cost Quantity S&H
Include any material(s) that would be purchased with shipping and handling (S&H) charges, if applicable. Attach supportive documentation, i.e. price quotes and product information for materials to be purchased.
In the interest of transparency, please answer the following:
Would any of your family, friends, or colleagues receive a direct financial benefit from grant funding provided by Piscataway Education Foundation? Yes/No
(Please note that a “yes” answer does not prohibit the award of a grant.)
List any other funding sources to which you have applied or funds you have been granted to support this program or project.
V. Evaluation (limit 250 words):
How will you evaluate the success of your program or project? How will you measure its impact on student performance?
Submit proposals to:
Piscataway Education Foundation
c/o Judy Palermo, Inspire Grant Chair
via e-mail to:
Deadline: Friday June 2, 2017
THANK YOU FOR YOUR APPLICATION!