Bio-Rad Community Outreach Grants Program

for Science Education

Science that goes beyond the textbook!

Bio-Rad’s Community Outreach Program is dedicated to fostering science education in the communities in which we live. Bio-Rad’s Science Grants Program advances science education in schools in our communities by integrating Bio-Rad technology and supporting hands-on education. Grant applications of up to $5000 will be considered.

Funding Priorities

  • Bio-Rad Community Outreach encourages sustainable projects with potential for improving classroom teaching and learning in science.
  • Priority is assigned to requests involving or supported by Bio-Rad technology* or employees.
  • Endorsements and/or letters of recommendation from a Bio-Rad employee are encouraged.
  • Inquiry based activities will be given special consideration.

*Bio-Rad’s Biotechnology Explorer ™ program provides Bio-Rad research-grade equipment and inquiry-based educational kits with complete curricula at a discount to educators. For more information please visit or call 1-800- 4BIORAD. Biotechnology Explorer catalogs are available on request.

Grant Timeline and Deadlines

The deadline for grant applications ispostmarked byApril 15.

Successful applicants will be notified by May 31.

Funds will be distributed for the fall of the following school year.

Grant Applicants please note: In some cases, due to budget considerations, promising grant requests may be held over until a later time in the fiscal year.

Preparing Your Application

Please prepare your grant application according to the instructions provided below. Address each section of the Application. Classroom teachers must be involved in the planning of projects. Please note no single school will receive more than one grant at a time.

Please arrange your application according to the following format:

Section 1– Application Cover Page:Please completethe information requested in Section 1 and attach evidence of public school status.

Sections 2-3–Project Summary and Endorsement:Please complete sections 2 and 3 of the application. Summarize your project idea in a short paragraph and list the two most important learning objectives and have the proposal endorsed by a senior school official.

Section 4 –Proposal:Please write your proposal according to the guidelines providedbelow and attach to the application.It should be no longer than 3 pages of standard 12 point font. Please ensure that your proposal is clear and succinct. Arrange your proposal in the following order:

  1. Project Description

Include a title for your project and a brief description of your plans for the grant. Please also indicate if other teachers or individuals are involved in your project, and if so, please state their names, position and roles in the project.

  1. Learning Objectives

Please list the student learning objectives that will be met by conducting the proposed project. The objectives should be realistic, directly related to the project, and attainable within the time period of the project.

  1. Teaching Strategies

How do you propose to meet the learning objectives stated above? Please describe your proposed teaching strategies, the proposed duration of the project and the classroom time and resources dedicated to the project. How does this differ from current teaching strategies?

  1. Experience/Additional Resources

Do you (or any of the other individuals involved) have any additional resources, experience or training that will ensure the success of the project? For example: professional development, resources already procured, funding commitments from other sources, etc.

  1. How You Will Determine Success

In this section please describe how you will determine the success of this project. Please remember that you will be required to complete a summary report upon completion of the project.

  1. Appendices

If there is information relevant to your proposal that is not explicitly called for in the guidelines, such information may be included as an appendix. Optional: Attach any letters of recommendation or support that you feel are pertinent to this application. Please keep this supplementary material to a minimum.

Section 5 –Proposal Budget:Please complete the information requested in Section 5.

Section 6 –Project Success Report:Only to be completed for funded projects.Please submit 30 days after the completion of your project.

Grant Application Submission

Please submit the original application and four copies to:

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Attn: Community Outreach

1000 Alfred Nobel Drive

Hercules, CA94547

Please direct any questions on the grant application to .

Section 1: Application Cover Page (You may find it easier to complete the Application Cover Page once you have completed the other parts of the application.)

PROJECT TITLE (max 140 characters including spaces)
PROJECT MANAGER (NAME/TITLE)
SCHOOL / ORGANIZATION NAME / SCHOOL DISTRICT (if applicable)
ADDRESS
CITY / STATE / ZIP
HAVE YOU RECEIVED A GRANT / SPONSORSHIP FROM BIO-RAD IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE EXPLAIN.
MILES FROM BIO-RAD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS*
PHONE (WORK) / PHONE (DURING VACATIONS, AFTER SCHOOL)
E-MAIL ADDRESS / EMAIL (DURING VACATIONS)
SCHOOL/ORGANIZATION ADMINISTRATOR (NAME/TITLE) / ADMINISTRATOR’S PHONE
AMOUNT REQUESTED ($) / NUMBER OF STUDENTS BENEFITING FROM PROJECT
GRADE/S IMPACTED / PROJECT BEGINNING & END DATES

Bio-Rad’s Science Grants benefit our public schools. You must provide evidence that you are a public school as recognized by an appropriate local or state government agency. For example, a copy of the state tax exempt certificate could be used to satisfy the eligibility requirement.

We have attached proof that we are a public school.

Eligibility

*Geographic Area: The grants program focuses on local schools within a 50 mile radius of the Bio-Rad Corporate Headquarters inHercules, California. Please state your proximity to this facility in Section 1.

Restrictions: Bio-Rad will not contribute to general operations, capital projects, endowments, conferences, independent study, fund raising events, or similar activities. Religious or political causes will not be supported. Organizations that discriminate on the basis of sex, race, age, disability or religion are not eligible for funding. No grants will be made to individuals. Salaries, facility maintenance, textbooks, field trips, and education research will not be funded. No indirect costs may be applied to this grant.

Section 2: Project Summary

Summarize your project idea in a short paragraph and list the two most important learning objectives (max 200 words):

Section 3: Endorsement

The project described must be acknowledged and endorsed by a school official at least at the level of assistant principal.

I endorse this grant proposal, including the proposed budget.

Project Manager’s Signature ______Date______

PRINCIPAL/ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S NAME

Principal/ Assistant Principal’s Signature______Date ______

Section 4: Proposal

Please attach all listed components of your proposal listed under section 4 of “Preparing your Application”.

Section 5: Proposal Budget

The Bio-Rad Science Grant is dedicated to promoting sustainable science projects in the classroom for years to come. We understand that in order to begin a project, you may need some training and consumables. However, we do request that the majority of the grant funds be dedicated towards equipment that can be used in the classroom over multiple years. Grant applicants that have sustainability built into their projects are highly encouraged. Please base your estimates on information gathered from vendors, catalogs and salespeople and be advised that many suppliers offer special pricing for teachers if asked. If you would like to have a Bio-Rad quote to help with your budget, please call 1-800-4BIORAD to contact your local account representative.

PROJECT TITLE

PROJECT MANAGER (NAME/TITLE)

Provide a cost estimate for each area in which you seek funds (attach additional sheets if necessary). Please note: Indirect charges are not allowed.

Item / Requested Bio-Rad Grant Funds / District Local Match (cash or in-kind) / Private, Public, Non-Profit Sectors Match (cash or in-kind) / Budget Item Totals
Equipment
Consumables (Maximum 25% of total grant amount)
Professional Development (Maximum 25% of total grant amount)
Totals

Budget Justification

Please give an explanation of your budget request. Please explain all proposed expenditures in each category. Specify any Bio-Rad supplies or equipment by catalog number. (Max 500 words)

Section 6: Project Success Report

Please tell us how your project went. Please send completed report to Bio-Rad within 30 days after project is complete. Please attach additional sheets as necessary.

PROJECT TITLE

PROJECT MANAGER (NAME/TITLE)

1) Briefly summarize your project outcomes.

2) Would you consider your project a success? Why or why not?

3) Will the project continue? If no, why not? If yes, in what way?

4) What was the highlight of your project experience?

5) Is there any student feedback that you would like to share?