Application Materials
- The application should be completed in a clear and concise manner, with the project description not to exceed three pages. All proposals need to be submitted in conjunction with the official grant Google Application Form.
- In addition to applicant information, this application will require the following:
- Project abstract (100-120 words)
- Project description: A detailed description of the project sufficient enough to enable the awards committee to understand and evaluate it. Please use plain language: your proposal will be reviewed by peers outside of your academic/professional discipline. (500-750 words, submit as PDF)
- Joint project rationale: For joint applications, please clarify the rationale for collaboration and define the individual contributions of each proposer. (300-400 words, submit as PDF, optional)
- Professional development rationale: Please state clearly the project’s significance to the applicants’ professional development. (300-400 words, submit as PDF)
- Project timetable (submit as PDF)
- Supplemental materials (10-page maximum, submit as PDF, optional)
- Itemized project budget (submit as PDF)
- There should be a clear explanation in the proposal of the significance and benefit of the project to Pratt students and the Institute. Please explain all abbreviated organizations and equipment so that it is understood by the entire awards committee, who come from different Schools.
- It is highly recommended that travel requests should be accompanied by documented proof that host organizations (for conferences, workshops, etc.) have accepted the application’s participation. Preference is given to those who are presenting at the conference.
- The committee will not review previously submitted un-funded proposals that were not revised
Budget Materials
- All projected budgets should be itemized, detailed, and accurately researched. This should include a separate page from the main budget page, which explains the costs in detail and the feasibility prior to submission. References to comparable expenditures and fees are strongly encouraged to justify the requested sums.
- The budget for “Meals & Lodging” needs to be accurately researched and appropriate to the project.
- Applicant should clarify requests for equipment, travel expenses, and conferences that might more appropriately be addressed by other means, such as via institutional infrastructure and support.
- Budgets for unsubstantiated purchases of computer hardware/software, cameras, etc. are typically not considered. Historically, the awards committee has not approved the outright granting of funds for such equipment. If these items are a part of your application, care should be taken to explain where such equipment would be placed after the grant period. The grants are intended to serve individual professional development, and not serve to fund departmental equipment.
- If partial funds are requested for a larger project (e.g. where FDF would cover less than 80% of the total estimated costs), please outline the plan for obtaining additional funds (e.g. list foundations, publishers, other funders where you will seek funds for the project)
- Budget categories include:
- Materials (e.g., paints, lumber, hardware, canvas, clay, disks, film, etc.)
- Equipment (e.g., tools, brushes, computer hardware, technology equipment, etc.)
- Facilities (studio rental, lab rental, etc.)
- Travel (airline, mileage if personal car is used)
- Meals & Lodging (Any shared or catered meals must follow Pratt’s current community standards)
- Fees (registration, conference, library)
- Consultant Fees
- Stipend (no more than 30% of the budget may fund stipend for the grantee[s])
Miscellaneous
- For course support and pedagogical initiatives, please consider seeking alternative funding sources through CTL
- The evaluation criteria considered by the FDF committee during deliberations include, but are not limited to the following:
- a) does the proposed project advance professional development of anapplicant?
- b) is the proposal clear and applicants plans are understood?
- c) does the proposed budget help to address the aims of the project?
- d) is the budget clearly justified?
- e) how does the project benefit Pratt?
- f) is the applicant qualified to do the work and is the role of each co-applicant clear?”
- Every year, there is an application(s) pertaining to the archiving of departmental materials, slides, history, personalities, etc. Though worthy of support, these proposals are seldom funded under the auspices of the Faculty Development Fund grant program.
For more information view A Conversation with the Faculty Development Fund Chair.
A conversation with the chair of the Faculty Development Fund (FDF) committee, Dr. Irene Lopatovska, School of Information.
The discussion included the FDF application review process and evaluation criteria, and then opened the floor for a Q&A.
This is of particular value to faculty who consider applying for FDF this year or received funding in the past.