ASPB EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Contact information:
15501 Monona Drive
Rockville, MD 20855-2768
Phone: 301-251-0560
Fax: 301-279-2996
Website: http://my.aspb.org/?page=EF_Index

Type of foundation: Foundation operated by a professional society.

Types of grants: Outreach and education.

Description: The ASPB Education Foundation is associated with the American Society of Plant Biologists, a professional society devoted to the advancement of the plant sciences. The Foundation was established in 1995 to provide information and education to increase the public’s knowledge about the role of plants in all areas of life. The Foundation periodically issues RFP’s for grant opportunities.

The ASPB Education Foundation annually seeks proposals to support education and outreach activities that advance youth, student and public awareness and understanding of plant biology and the role of plants in all areas of life. Grants of up to $30,000 will support education and outreach projects that promote the:

• Importance of plants for the sustainable production of medicine, food, fibers, and fuels.
• Critical role plants play in sustaining functional ecosystems in changing environments.
• Latest developments in plant biotechnologies, including genetic modifications that enhance the disease and stress resistance of crops.
• Contributions of discoveries made in plants to discoveries that improve human health and well-being.
• Range of careers related to plant biology or available to plant biologists.

The types of projects that fit the Foundation’s goals include but are not limited to:

• Development and use of instructional materials in K-12 schools, undergraduate courses, science centers and museums, after-school science clubs, etc.
• Professional development about plant biology for educators (e.g., teachers, museum educators, 4-H agents, etc.).
• Professional development about education and scientific communication for plant biologists and plant biologists in training.
• Development and implementation of educational exhibits or displays in science museums, science centers, libraries, and other public venues.
• Development and dissemination of multimedia educational resources such as radio or video pieces, websites, application ('apps') for electronic devices, and animations.
• Development of and support for education and outreach collaborations between plant biologists and educators.

The Foundation especially seeks projects that will produce resources that can be widely shared and disseminated and programs or relationships that can be sustained over time. Proposals are encouraged from members from both within and outside the United States and projects may serve communities from any country. Proposals that leverage funds from the ASPB Education Foundation with support from other sources are encouraged, particularly for proposals that request a full $30,000 budget.

Sample grants: Past outreach and education grants have gone to projects including:

• Helping Education Resources Go Viral! 
-Peggy Lemaux, University of California, Berkeley (2011).
• 12 Principles of Plant Biology Coloring and Activity Book with “Draw a Plant” Instrument. -
Alan Jones, University of North Carolina and 
Jane Ellis, Presbyterian College (2011).
• Plant Clippings, a website centered on a collection of 10 short videos, each highlighting different aspects of the 12 Principles of Plant Biology. The episodes show how Detectives Appleby and Root solve plant-based crimes for the Photosynthetic Organism Detective Service, or PODS (2009).
• A Moment of Science, a series of two-minute radio programs on the wonders of science (2008).
• ChloroFilms: A contest for the best new plant biology videos on YouTube. This open competition created by Dan Cosgrove (Penn State) aimed: to encourage budding film makers and other creative individuals to produce informative and entertaining plant biology videos; to increase the availability and range of short videos for use by educators; and to increase exposure of the public, particularly younger members of society, to plant biology (2008).

Fit for public broadcasting: ASPB Foundation outreach and education grants aim specifically at reaching, informing and/or engaging a broad audience. They can target youth or adult audiences. Collaboration is encouraged. Past grants have gone to online as well as broadcast projects. Public media outlets can offer: 1) media production expertise and 2) outstanding capacity to disseminate the content to broad and diverse audiences. Because proposals must be submitted by a current member of ASPB, this grant opportunity is likely best suited to a university licensee or to a station that has a relationship with an academic institution.

Eligibility:

• The project manager must be a current member of ASPB.
• No indirect costs (overhead) will be covered by the Foundation for project awards.
• Although projects may be implemented with a small audience for initial development and pilot testing, the Foundation expects that project products and results will impact a broader audience and generally reach beyond a single institution.
• ASPB expects to have the right to the use of projects, materials and results developed with grant funding.
• Funding is awarded for a period of one year.

Deadline: June 8, 2012

How to apply: Proposals should be submitted by email to the Project Coordinator. Specific application guidelines are available here.

Giving range: Up to $30,000