George A. Ferguson K-12 Engagement Grants

Sponsoring Organization or Individual:

ANS Cares Committee

Focus Area:

• K-12 and community outreach efforts that are focused on engaging students in under resourced communities and bringing nuclear science education to the classroom, after school programs, and other similar activities.

Amount:

2-5 grants awarded annually up to $5,000/each

Guidelines:

The following provides guidance on general expectations, timeline, and restrictions on expenditures using ANS funds. The ANS Cares Committee reserves the right to reduce the amount of a grant if the proposal contains activities that are not aligned with ANS’s mission and the intent of the grant.

Appropriate funding requests include:

1. Broadened participation services such as (but not limited to) language translation and interpretation (including ASL) or offering virtual or hybrid meeting options for those who are unable to attend in-person.
2. Equipment or materials needed to support nuclear science curriculum, such as:
   • Geiger counters
   • Cloud chambers
   • Dry ice
   • Radioactive sources and shielding material

3. Transportation for groups of 5 or more to tour nuclear-related facilities (power plants, research reactors, nuclear medical centers, national laboratories/universities etc.)
4. Expenses for volunteers to expand ANS outreach programs such as Navigating Nuclear: Energizing Our World™
5. Scout groups of 5 or more working on requirements for the Scouting America Nuclear Science Merit Badge or ANS’s Get to Know Nuclear Girl Scout patch.
6. Travel expenses for guest speakers/researchers to present hands-on activities (up to $1,500 reimbursement).

Restrictions on Funds:

Requests for funding for the following are strongly discouraged:

• Student travel to ANS, or other professional/technical society, conferences since there are other sources of funding available for this purpose.
• Food and Beverage without cost sharing (funds may not be used to purchase alcohol)
• Scholarships at the local level.

Eligibility:

• Grant awards are up to $5,000 for any ANS member or sanctioned ANS Local or Student Section.
• Previous recipients may reapply if prior grant requirements have been met.
• Grant applications must be submitted online by 5:00 pm CST on their specific deadline. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their funding request once selections have been made.

Grant Conditions:

By submitting an application, you are agreeing to:

• Complete the project within 12 months after receiving the grant
• Provide a final report once your project is complete, including photos or video that can be used in ANS communications.
• Notify ANS of any changes to the program that were not included in the original proposal.

Grants are limited to one per applicant, per year. An itemized budget must be included with the application.

Grant funds will not be awarded for the same program more than three (3) times.

Final Reports:

Upon completion of the project, grant recipients are required to provide a grant report within 2 months of the final day of the project. Failure to submit reports will render the applicant ineligible to receive or apply for additional grants from ANS until the report is submitted.

Reports should be sent to scholarships@ans.org and include the following:

1. Project summary
2. Actual outcomes of the goals lined out in the application. Reports should be outcome-based and discuss the direct impact on the desired outcome.
3. Audience metrics such as # of participants and demographics of the population served (age, gender, ethnicity).
4. Proof of expenses, including copies of receipts, to support adherence to proposal objectives and budget.
5. Any challenges your program faced
6. List of attendees and contact information (if available)
7. Supplemental materials that demonstrate the impact of your program, such as photos or videos for sharing on ANS website and/or social media.

Timeline: