Guidelines for Submitting Proposals
The total annual funding is anticipated to range between $30,000 and $50,000. An individual grant is not expected to exceed $15,000 - $20,000 per year. Matching funds are encouraged. Funding decisions will be made by the SLRREF board, which consists of representative from the New York Power Authority, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York Rivers United, St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Education Services, St. Lawrence County Planning Office, St. Lawrence Adirondack Audubon Society and a representative from a local municipality within the project boundary on a rotating basis.
Who may apply*
* The fund is not intended to support individual classroom projects unless they are part of a development program for a school district.
When to apply
There will be two deadlines for the submittal of proposals. The first deadline will be January 1 and the second deadline will be July 1. The board anticipates that funding decisions for proposals submitted by January 1 will be made on or about the end of March. If all the funds for the year are disbursed during the first deadline period then proposals submitted for the July deadline could be automatically carried over to the following year, if requested by the applicant. If funds remain after the board has approved projects from the first deadline period, the board anticipates that funding decisions for proposals submitted by July 1 will be made on or about the end of August.
The board is seeking simple proposals, not exceeding two pages, using the attached proposal form. Proposal forms should be filled out following these guidelines and should include the following information:
Instructions to fill out specific sections of the form are provided below.
Applicant Information
Date: submittal date
1. Applicant’s Information
a) Primary contact: this should be the person responsible for the project
b) Organization/Agency: name of agency/organization that the primary contact represents
c) Address: address of primary contact
d) Phone: phone number of primary contact
e) E-mail: e-mail of primary contact
If there are other supporting organizations, these entities shall be identified along with the above information.
2. Type of Project (check one): Self-explanatory
3. Project Name and Description
Provide a descriptive name for the project and its goals and objectives. Summarize the project and project location, including how it will a) increase the knowledge or awareness of the natural environment; b) further the state of knowledge of one or more aspects of the St. Lawrence River ecosystem; c) provide environmental education or outreach benefits of either a) or b) above. Provide your schedule for achieving the objectives within the proposed project timeframe. Explain how the benefits of the project would be measured and evaluated.
In addition to these elements, environmental research proposals should include a description of the scientific basis of the research project, including objectives and target species/natural community and appropriate technical expertise of the researcher. Environmental education proposals should include a delivery mechanism (i.e., workshop, conference, etc.), and the audience it intends to reach.
Attach letters of support from a sponsoring body, tribal council or municipality in which this project will be implemented. If the project involves private property, include property ownership information and permission regarding the property upon which the proposal will be implemented.
4. Budget **
List the types of and costs per activities/work element on which you will spend the SLRREF funds. Include information on available matching funds, total project cost and requested funding amount.
Under "Salaries" provide details on the number of hours and hourly rate of personnel involved in the implementation of the project.
Under "Labor/Contractors" specify the nature and cost of such services and how these costs were determined.
List under "Equipment/Materials" any information on equipment to be leased plus categories of supplies and their prices. The fund is intended to provide the materials necessary to conduct the research or develop a programs; it is not intended to provide the means to purchase large pieces of equipment (e.g., boat, microscope, etc.) needed to conduct the project.
Use "Other" to include other expenses that do not fall under the above categories.
** The fund is not intended to pay for personal expenses (such as meals, memberships). Overhead expenses will usually not be considered as part of this fund unless covered by matching funds.
5. Schedule
Include a project schedule, indicate start and completion dates, and at what point a significant action, event or milestone will occur.
Once funding is approved, the agency/organization must submit periodic progress reports after completion of major milestones. Disbursements will be made after review of progress reports. Final payment will be released upon receiving and approving the final progress report and work products, as appropriate.
Progress reports should be submitted to the board sponsor and the board chair. Submittal of progress reports shall be directly tied to the project schedule. The reports should specify technical and other reporting requirements to measure the recipient’s progress. Problems or unexpected events, if any, should be described. Photographs of project progress are suggested. Materials developed should be construed as non-proprietary.
Payment of funds will be tied to progress reports and milestone achievements.
Progress reports should include the following sections:
Applicants shall submit one copy of the proposal typewritten and in the English language. Electronic copies will be also accepted. Proposals shall be mailed to:
Maria L. Garcia Toirac
New York Power Authority
123 Main Street
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 287-3445 (Voice)
(914) 681-6613 (Fax)
maria.toirac@nypa,gov (email)