Sigma Xi Student and Postdoc Members Invited to Apply for Bipartisan Candidate Engagement Funds
Sigma Xi is pleased to support grants that will help graduate student- and postdoc-led science policy groups increase their civic engagement and outreach activities to candidates running for national office in the 2018 midterm elections in order to elevate the importance of scientific research.
This nonpartisan initiative is led by Research!America, as part of the National Science Policy Network's microgrant program, to which Sigma Xi is providing funding. Research!America will accept and review the proposals, and announce the selections in late August.
To Submit a Proposal
Application details and proposal form
scipolnetwork.org/engagementinitiative
Application deadline
August 10, 2018
Who may apply
Science policy groups across the United States managed by graduate students and postdocs are eligible to apply. Sigma Xi chapters may qualify as science policy groups.
Funding
Applicants may apply for $1,000 to $3,000 grants with the potential for up to $5,000 for high-impact proposals.
Highly competitive proposals will be distinguished by the following.
1. Collaboration: network and initiate projects with other science policy groups
2. Accessibility: include materials (i.e. sample messages) that will be available to other groups
3. Innovation: explores a new idea of project that has not yet been attempted
4. Civic Engagement: engages local communities
5. Diversity: does the proposal engage a diverse group of young scientists?
Examples of activities that the grants may support are the following.
Your next step
Connect with your local Sigma Xi chapter and collaborate with a other members to plan an event and/or an activity such as hosting round table discussions, or invite candidates to visit your lab, or your next chapter event. Submit your proposal by August 10.
Sigma Xi is a nonpartisan organization. See the Society's Policy on Political Advocacy.