Grant Application Instructions
Eligibility: Applicants must be current Indiana University South Bend students, faculty, or staff.
Funding Priorities: The Women of IU South Bend supports projects that strengthen the IU community and align with the IU 2030 Strategic Plan, particularly in the areas of:
- Student Success and Opportunity: Projects that enhance student learning and engagement through service-learning, high-impact educational practices, and opportunities for service at the local, state, national, or global level.
- Promotion and Advancement of STEM Learning and Access: Initiatives that expand STEM education and outreach, foster community partnerships, and increase access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics experiences.
- Solving Social Problems: Programs that address critical social needs, support new ventures, or introduce innovative approaches to persistent social challenges.
- Improving Public Health: Efforts that promote healthy lifestyles, support disease prevention, or improve mental health and well-being within the community.
- Leadership Development: Projects that create or expand opportunities for individuals to gain leadership skills and participate in leadership roles across university, local, state, national, or global contexts.
- Educational and Cultural Enrichment: Initiatives that enrich the campus and community through arts, culture, and educational programming in a wide range of cultural fields.
Please note that multiple priority areas may be selected.
Section 1 - Contact Information
Provide the name and contact information of the primary project contact, as well as the relevant campus administrator.
Section 2 - Project Information
Include a project title and a concise purpose statement summarizing the issue addressed and the project’s objectives, methods, deliverables, and anticipated impact. Budget information will be listed in Section 3 of the application.
Focus Areas: Identify the Women of IU South Bend funding priorities your project supports.
Project Narrative: Clearly describe the project’s need and its contribution to an equitable and inclusive environment at IU South Bend and beyond. Address the following:
- Purpose
- Objectives
- Deliverables
- Methods (including who helped develop the concept)
- Impact (including populations served)
- Effect of partial Funding (if you receive partial funding).
Specific Project Needs: Explain any unique or innovative elements, how needs were assessed, whom the project will serve, and data supporting the need. Describe how the project aligns with focus areas and outline implementation methods.
Timetable: Project may not exceed one full year from the launch date.
Evaluation Plan. Explain how grant funding will make a difference. How will you demonstrate that the project was effective?
Sustainability Plan. The Women of IU South Bend grant only provides funding for one year and does not provide ongoing funding. If the project continues beyond the grant period, describe how it will be funded and sustained. If it is self-contained, explain how its lessons will inform future work.
Section 3 – Budget Information
Budget Narrative. The budget narrative justifies the amount of money requested and shows specifically how funds will be used. This narrative is supported by the the required Excel budget form. Please download Women of IUSB budget-template
NOTE: Items not usually funded include food, promotional items, licensures, and accreditations.
Section 4 – Successful Proposal, Awards Timelines, and Logistical Details
Maximum grant awards are $2,500 each for a duration of one year
Guidance for a Strong Proposal:
- Tell a clear, compelling story.
- Provide specific details, including expected outcomes, audiences, and intended use of funds.
- Keep descriptions thorough but concise. Reviewers need a clear understanding of a project’s impact.
- The grant application cycle runs from December 1, 2025, through February 1, 2026.
- Applicants will be notified of their proposal status by mid- to late March and may be invited to present to the Women of IU South Bend review committee in April.
- Final award decisions will be announced in early May.
If you need any additional information:
please contact Dana Rassas Jojo, development officer
Email:drassas@iu.edu
Phone:+1-574-520-4454.
For any budget questions please contact Erika Zynda
Email: ezynda@iu.edu
Phone:+1-574-520-4181.
