The ACS Committee on Local Section Activities is sponsoring two mini-grant programs for local sections: the Local Section Science Café Mini-Grant and the Local Section Bridging-the-Gap Mini-Grant. Local Sections are invited to apply for either or both grant opportunities; the deadline to apply falls on the same date: May 31, 2016. What follows is an explanation of both grant opportunities.
Science-Café Mini-Grant
If you are looking to plan an activity for your Local Section beyond just the ordinary monthly meeting, consider organizing a Science Café! Funding of up to $500 is available to local sections to host a single science café or ongoing science café series in their area. Science cafés provide a relaxed, open venue for non-scientists and scientists alike to discuss current general or special interest topics.
Learn more about Science Cafés and apply online.
Note: if your Section was awarded this mini-grant in 2015, your Section must submit a summary report if it wishes to be considered for this grant period.
Bridging-the-Gap Mini-Grant
The 2016 theme for this grant program is "New Technology to Increase New Member Involvement." With available funding of up to $500, ACS Local Sections are encouraged to identify and implement technology to engage new section members. "New technology" is defined as something that has never been used previously by the applying local section; it need not be cutting-edge.
Potential technology ideas for this mini-grant opportunity can include, but are not limited to:
- Webinars for section meetings and other events
- Regional Meeting Mobile Apps
- Electronic Voting for Local Section Elections
- Audience response systems (e.g., "Clickers")
Learn more about the 2016 Bridging-the-Gap Mini-Grant and apply online.
May 31, 2016 is the deadline to apply for both the Science Café and Bridging-the-Gap Mini-Grant programs.
If you have questions, concerns, or comments about either grant program, please contact lsac@acs.org.
