Project Grants

Eligibility

Sigma Tau Delta's Project Grants are designed to encourage local chapters to be innovative in developing projects that further the goals of the Society. The Society will award a limited number of grants, for no more than $300 each, to support local chapter activities that are not eligible for other Society funding.

Any active chapter may apply. No chapter may submit more than one proposal for a given grant period. Projects must be organized and conducted by student members; they must have the endorsement of the chapter sponsor. Applications should be prepared by student members, and student members should serve as project directors. No chapter may receive a project grant in consecutive years.

Appropriate Projects

Funds may be requested for separate projects or for parts of larger projects, and chapters should explore ways to use Project Grants in combination with funds secured from other sources. Funds may be requested for on-going projects, but there is no guarantee that projects funded during one grant period will receive funding in future grant periods.

Appropriate projects include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Service projects connected to the discipline (writing competitions for local elementary or secondary schools, tutoring projects, writing projects, literacy programs, library donations, etc.)
  • Projects aimed at broadening appreciation of language and literature (workshops for non-campus groups such as elementary/secondary students, senior citizens, or disadvantaged groups; poetry posters or projects; radio/television/video productions; etc.)
  • Hard costs associated with research projects; such projects should include participation by at least two chapter members and must be connected to the discipline. Grant funds may be used for hard costs such as photocopying, telephone, postage, print materials or travel, but grant funds may not be used for salaries or stipends.
  • Activities aimed at increasing chapter membership or visibility (establishing a database, conducting a career day, preparing orientation materials, providing leadership training, establishing a display cabinet, etc.).

See sample project.

Grants may not be used to fund regional conferences, chapter literary journals, chapter websites, travel to conventions or conferences, or awards to sponsors. Grants may not be used to pay academic fees for chapter members, or to provide scholarships, awards, prizes, or salaries to chapter members, to their sponsors, or to members of the Board.

How to Apply

Applications should include:

  1. A cover sheet on the chapter sponsor's official school letterhead: List project title; total dollar amount requested; name(s) and full contact information for student(s) who will serve as project director(s); chapter name and address; and email address of the designated contact person. The cover sheet should be signed by the project director(s) and by the chapter sponsor(s).
  2. A 25-word abstract.
  3. A written narrative, not to exceed 300 words. The narrative should describe the concept and organization of the project and indicate its connection to the goals of the Society. The narrative should indicate whether this is a new project, part of an on-going project, or part of a larger project. The narrative should identify the target audience, explain the publicity plan, and include any plans for evaluation of the project.
  4. A budget. Requests should be made for specific dollar amounts necessary to the project, but for no more than $300. The budget should include a precise indication of how funds will be spent, how amounts were calculated, and what (if any) additional funds are available. If you plan to request additional funds from other sources, your budget should indicate that such requests are pending.
  5. Reference letters. If your project involves work or cooperation with other on-campus groups or with off-campus groups, you should include a letter (on letterhead) from each such group indicating support for the project as you have outlined it. Chapters requesting reference letters should prepare their grant proposals in time to give advance copies to people from whom they are requesting reference letters.

Criteria of Selection

In making awards, the Project Grants Committee will consider criteria such as the following: the significance and contribution of the project to the goals of the Society; the proposal's concept, definition, organization; careful preparation of an appropriate budget; reference letters. 

Dates and Deadlines

Five copies of the completed grant proposal (including reference letters) must be received by November 6. Proposals must be mailed, not faxed or emailed.  Award winners will be recognized at the annual convention.

A final project report (no more than 250 words) will be due May 1. Final reports should be submitted on school letterhead and signed by the project director(s) and by the chapter sponsor(s); they should include an accounting of expenditures. Portions of the final report may appear on the Sigma Tau Delta website. Failure to submit the final project report will jeopardize a chapter's chance of winning future grants. Chapters are encouraged to submit photographs and project descriptions for possible use in the international newsletter and website.

Mail grant proposals to:

Sigma Tau Delta
Project Grants
Dept. of English
Northern Illinois University
DeKalb, IL 60115-2863