Lindenwood faculty members may submit one application per award cycle. If a faculty member is listed as key personnel on an application, they may not submit a second individual application in the same award cycle. Faculty may submit applications in successive cycles to continue a previously awarded project when additional funding is justified based on the ongoing merit of the project in terms of PRIDE Fund emphases. For example, it may be necessary to continue seed funding a specific project to grow a partnership or further develop an idea or initiative with significant future prospects for external funding.

Key Personnel are faculty who contribute to the design, development, and implementation of a project in a substantive and measurable way. The project would not likely be feasible without their commitment in terms of time and expertise. For example, Key Personnel activities would include:

• Conducting aspects of the project and producing stated deliverables.
• Participating in the design and implementation of the project.
• Performing evaluations of the project aims and efforts in disseminating project findings or resources.

The specific aims of a project will vary based on the type of proposed activities. A research-oriented project, for example, will feature different aims than scholarly activities such as substantial publication or creative work involving performance or exhibition. The specific aims should provide a clear sense of what you intend to accomplish within the project period, including any specific deliverables or resources resulting from the project. If community partnerships or student engagement is an emphasis of the proposal, the specific aims should include a clear objective for these engagement activities. Generally, Specific Aims should be specific, measurable, and clearly related to the needs of project stakeholders.

The Project Plan should include a chronological description of all activities associated with the funding proposal. Activity descriptions should answer the question: “How will we achieve our Specific Aims?” A description of project methods will vary based on the type of proposed activities, but should clarify the overall approach to how project activities have been designed and why this approach is the best fit for your disciplinary, institutional, or community context.

Generally, the PRIDE Fund project period is from July 1 to June 30 each year. There may be slight variance on dates for notice of award dates and the initial distribution of funds each July. There will be no extension to the Project Period. Applicants who would like to seek additional funding to continue a project must submit an application for the next cycle.

An Evaluation Plan describes steps taken to improve a project during implementation or to demonstrate the overall success of the project. Evaluation plans vary widely based on the type of project. A plan for evaluating the overall impact or success of an scholarly work or exhibition will be framed differently than a full summative evaluation plan for a research project. Generally, an Evaluation Plan should include:

• What are the intended outcomes, aims, or goals of the project?
• What evidence will be measured or evaluated to indicate the extent to which project aims are achieved?
• Who will collect and summarize evaluation results?
• When will evaluation be conducted throughout the project period?

One of the goals of the PRIDE Fund is to support collaboration across our Schools and disciplines. Projects requiring the expertise of multiple faculty and partners are of special interest. The PRIDE Fund, however, will support projects individual projects, such as development of creative or scholarly works. The application must include a description of how the project will feature interdisciplinary effort or why such collaboration is not relevant.

One of the goals of the PRIDE Fund is to develop and engage community partnerships. In cases of individual projects, such as the development of scholarly works or isolated research projects, community engagement is not necessarily expected. The application must include a description of how the project will feature community engagement or why the community engagement aspect is not relevant. Examples of community engagement include:

• Developing or maintaining partnerships with a community organization, corporation, or nonprofit.
• Interacting with a local organization to collect data or perform evaluations.
• Engaging a partner to host a workshop, exhibition, or performance.
• Sharing the results or findings of your work in a way accessible to your community of interest.

One of the goals of the PRIDE Fund is to develop opportunities for students to engage in advanced research activities, immersive learning experiences, peer mentoring, and extended scholarly collaborations. To support this emphasis, PRIDE Funds may be used to employ research assistants for the Project Period and travel costs associated with student travel for project implementation or presentation. Even in cases where a project may be more individual in nature, such as the production of a creative or scholarly work, an element of student engagement is encouraged.

One of the goals of the PRIDE Fund is to provide seed capital or funding for projects with potential for external funding or further small business development. It is also important to engage new and ongoing community and/or corporate partnerships. Future Prospects for a PRIDE Fund project may include:

• Plans to submit a future grant or funding application.
• Ongoing community partnerships.
• Additional stages of program development.
• Sharing results or findings with the community of interest.
• Implementing or replicating an idea or innovation at additional locations or with new partners.
• Ongoing training or development services with new partners.

Each PRIDE Fund application will include a plan for sharing the findings or results of the funded project. Dissemination refers to how one effectively shares research data, project results, or new resources with stakeholders. Implementation refers to how one may use any research findings or project data to create a new program or resource for stakeholders. This section of the application should include details in terms of a plan for ensuring each project will have value for, and be shared with, a relevant community of interest.

Funds may not be used for any purpose other than the project as approved by reviewers. Allowable expenses may be listed as Direct Costs in the budget template.

Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Cost of materials, supplies, or consumables directly connected with the project
• New equipment necessary for the conduct of the project
• Student hourly support
• Travel associated with project implementation and dissemination of results
• Costs related to events and partnership engagement

Non-Allowable expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Faculty or staff compensation
• General office supplies or materials
• Professional development, unless specifically necessary for the project
• General purpose computers, IT subscriptions, or leases

A budget template has been provided in the Pivot application for the PRIDE Fund, allowing applicants to outline basic Allowable Expenses related to the project.

At notification of award, awardees will receive information on how to begin accessing awarded funds in LU Workday. These instructions will include information for ongoing access to and monitoring of funds throughout the project period. GSRS staff will be available to provide assistance to awardees.