Small Grant Guidelines
Program Description
The Faculty Development Center is accepting applications for the Small Grants Program. The Provost's Office, in collaboration with the Cortland College Foundation, provides funding for the program of up to $500 to SUNY Cortland faculty. Eligible applicants are members of the teaching faculty, specifically those SUNY Cortland employees whose official title includes the word professor, instructor, lecturer or librarian.
Application Process
Application forms are available from the Faculty Development Center in Cornish Hall, Room 1307, or online by clicking the following link, Small Grant Application Form (Adobe).
Applications must be approved by a department chair (or supervisor), and the appropriate dean (or vice president), before being submitted for review to the Faculty Development Committee. A final decision is made by the Provost for the College.
Applications for funding are accepted once in the fall semester and once in the spring semester. Deadlines for applications are Sept. 15, 2023 for the fall semester and Feb. 15, 2024 for the spring semester, respectively. In the event that a due date falls on a weekend, the following business day is acceptable.
Completed applications should be submitted via email to Betsy Barylski, Faculty Development Center, Cornish Hall, Room 1307. Please allow adequate time for your department chair and dean to review and sign.
Program Guidelines
Applicants are eligible to receive one Small Grant per fiscal year (July 1-June 30).
Small Grants award activity dates:
Fall applications: first day of the fall semester through December 31
Spring applications: January 1 through June 20
Projects most deserving of Small Grants support are those that tend to advance the Mission of the College by:
- enriching the intellectual or cultural life of the Campus
- promoting professional development of faculty
- providing special educational opportunities for students
- improving internal and/or external communication at the College
- enhancing the image of the College
- accommodating unique or unusual contingencies which fit nowhere else.
Successful applications include a rationale for the proposed activity that incorporates the criteria listed above. Grant applications that fulfill more than one of the criteria above are given higher priority. Small Grants support is not available for scholarships, graduate assistantships, intercollegiate athletics, or student organizations that are eligible for funding through other campus sources. In addition, small grants may not be used to pay for services rendered by SUNY Cortland faculty and staff.
The budget section should include specific details regarding all other sources of funding for the proposed project, both granted and pending. In addition, applicants must also include sources of funding which were sought, even if those efforts were unsuccessful.
Documentation Required of Candidates
Applications will not be considered unless all documentation is provided to the Faculty Development Center with the approved form by the deadline.
Tips for Successful FDC Small Grant Applications
- Be sure to clearly indicate the dates for your planned activities.
- Provide supportive evidence for your request (e.g. letters of acceptance for presentation).
- Provide a narrative that demonstrates how your proposal supports the Small Grant criteria.
- Be sure to indicate if you are eligible for Dean’s funding (e.g. for conference travel & presentation). If so, indicate how much funding is available. If you are eligible, the FDC would like you to expend this funding source first. However, if the Dean’s funds are not enough to cover your travel costs, or if you have expended all of your Dean’s funds, then you are welcome to apply for
a FDC small grant. - Provide a comprehensive budget that includes the necessary items and the total amount of funding needed along with the amount requested from other sources (in addition to the Dean's funding). The budget section should include specific details regarding all other sources of funding for the proposed project, both granted and pending. In addition, applicants must include sources of funding which were sought, even if those efforts were unsuccessful.
- If your grant proposal involves travel, use the college’s per diem for food and lodging. The standard mileage rate should be used as reasonable estimates for determining costs.
- Typed proposals are generally better received than hand-written proposals.
Once approved, original invoices/receipts should be submitted for payment or reimbursement. Failure to provide such documentation will result in denial of payment or reimbursement. Payments can be made payable to IFR accounts, ASC Agency Accounts, vendors, or individuals.
Program Publicity
If your project involves a public program (press release, printed program, publications, conference or public address) all public announcements should indicate that the project was supported by the Provost's Office, in collaboration with the Cortland College Foundation.
Final Report
Applicants are required to submit a
Please call the Faculty Development Center, Betsy Barylski, 607-753-4753, with any questions.