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Who should apply?

We seek proposals from faculty seeking to expand and enhance the STEM workforce in southwest Michigan such as identifying an existing void in training or documenting demand from local industry.

WMU faculty members including:

• tenure-track
• tenured
• traditionally ranked
• faculty specialists

in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences or College of Arts and Sciences can apply for CURE funding.

What is the proposal process? 

Applicants considering applying are highly encouraged to discuss their ideas with a STEM-WC director prior to submission to ensure that proposals are aligned with the goals of the program. All proposals should be emailed as a single PDF document to Tina Sivewright with ‘STEM-WC EquipSTEM’ in the subject line.

The application process involves 2 phases. 

Initial proposal:

Please prepare a 2-page proposal that includes the following sections:

1. Proposal title
2. Faculty member name(s) and departmental affiliation
3. Description of how the funding will be used, who it will impact, and how the CURE aligns with the goals of the STEM-WC. The description should include the CURE as you envision it; any other programming/courses the funding could impact including colleges, departments, course numbers, expected number of Â鶹´«Ã½s; how the equipment/funding will help to improve the STEM workforce particularly in southwest Michigan; and any additional information on any current or past initiatives with companies or organizations that may create synergies with this current proposal.
4.  A budgetary estimate, listing any relevant educational discounts and/or cost-sharing that apply
5.  Anticipated timeline for implementation

Final proposal:

Once an initial proposal has been recommended, a detailed proposal with final budget will be requested. The final proposal will have the same sections as the initial proposal but will also require two additional items:

• Implementation and assessment plans for the goals of the CURE. These should detail how you will measure the utility of the grant funding for improving Â鶹´«Ã½ readiness for STEM careers. Please feel free to contact a STEM-WC Director(s) to discuss the implementation and assessment requirements.
• A detailed quote for the purchase. Please actively seek to take advantage of any educational institution discounts that are offered by most vendors. Whenever possible, obtain at least two quotes and attach to the proposal.

Proposal Review Schedule

Within one week of initial proposal submission, confirmation will be sent. If additional or supporting information is necessary, it will be requested.

Four weeks after your initial proposal submission, one of the following decisions will be provided.

• Not funded – Does not align with STEM-WC or substantial proposal modification is required 
• Proposal resubmission is requested pending modifications to bring the proposal more closely inline with the goals of the STEM-WC – The modified proposal will be fast-tracked for review and a final proposal may be requested. 
• Funding tentatively approved – Final proposal requested. 

Four weeks after detailed final proposal submission, one of the following decisions will be communicated. 

• Not funded – Project is not feasible at this time
• Funding tentatively approved – Further information needed; revised proposal requested
• Funding approved – Agreement signed and funding awarded