The Academic Enrichment Grant Program
The goal of the AEG program is to encourage and support innovation in instruction and creative approaches to curriculum. The Education Foundation Board evaluates applications for their creativity, the number of students who will be affected by the grant, and the potential for the expansion of the program to other classrooms. All programs funded by grants must be completed during the 2008-2009 school year.
Who may Apply?
All teachers, including past and current grant recipients, are eligible. Other teaching staff, including district employees who work with children on a regular basis, are welcome to apply. This includes all Certificated Employees, Certificated Librarians, Adult Education for GED, ESL, and Child Development Teachers. Except in unusual circumstances, an applicant may not receive a grant for the same project for more than two years.
Grant Funds Available
Each teacher may apply for a grant of up to $1,000 and may partner with one or more teachers on another application. Each school site is guaranteed one grant, as long as we receive one merit-worthy grant application from that site. Additional grants are awarded based on school size, school composition, and the amount of grant funds available.
What we do not fund
Academic Enrichment Grant funds may not be used to pay District employees, but may be spent to hire consultants. Grant funds may not be used for items that require continuing expenses unless a source for the continuing expenses is already in place. Grants are intended for stand-alone projects; they may not be used to subsidize on-going projects. The Education Foundation will not approve grants for furniture, window treatments or other items not related to curriculum. In addition, the Education Foundation will not fund substitute teachers or student field trips. Although we will fund professional development activities, we will not cover the cost of travel to or from such activities, nor will we pay the cost of a substitute teacher for the period of the professional development activity. If an applicant seeks funding for professional development, the application should set forth how the activity will benefit students.
Use of Grant Funds for Equipment Purchases
The Education Foundation will consider applications that seek funds to purchase equipment, but we strongly recommend that applicants take certain steps in preparing such applications: (1) The applicant should ensure that the specific equipment will be adequate to accomplish the intended purposes. This is particularly important with high technology items such as computers, cameras, and video projectors. If possible, the applicant should consult with experts to determine whether equipment requested is adequate and does not have unneeded features. (2) Once the applicant has identified the equipment that will best suit the intended uses, the applicant should obtain prices from several vendors, including online vendors, to obtain the lowest price. (3) If the vendor or manufacturer offers a service contract for the equipment at a reasonable price, the applicant should consider purchasing the contract. (4) If the equipment uses supplies that must be replaced from time to time (examples: toner, diskettes), the applicant should include in the application the cost of such supplies for at least the year of the grant. (5) All equipment purchased with AEG funds is the property of the SMMUSD. It is the responsibility of all grantees to safeguard the equipment and to make that equipment available to other teachers, as needed, both during the grant year and after.
Principal Approval
Your principal must submit an online Principal Approval Form for your grant application to be considered. A link to that form is available at the top of this page.
Application Anonymity
We evaluate all applications on merit alone. The Education Foundation office removes the names of all applicants before circulating applications to Board members. Only the name of the school or site from which the application was received will be revealed during the evaluation process. To help ensure anonymity, please identify the applicants only at the end of the application, and do not include any other identifying information in any other portion of the application.
Application Procedures
The application deadline is noon, Friday, April 18, 2008, by email via the District website application only. No late applications will be accepted. The Board of Directors of the Education Foundation will review all applications and select grant recipients. Please make your application clear, focused, and self-explanatory. Include within your application a detailed budget, including tax and shipping expenses for any items that will be purchased. Recipients of grants will be notified in late May. Applications are not complete unless accompanied by the online Principal Approval Form.
Additional Information
If you have any questions, please send an email message to the Education Foundation: smmef@smmusd.org.