Tips for a Successful PFRJ Application
Co-Curricular Proposals
A solid application will include clear and specific responses that indicate your project is ready to move forward. Specificity is important: Does the application demonstrate an understanding of the College resources needed to undertake a successful event (e.g., rooms reserved)? Outline a realistic budget and thoughtful production schedule? Show an appreciation of the potential audience’s interests and an effective recruitment strategy? Below are some examples of what the reviewers are considering when reading your application responses.
What is the anticipated program date?
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- Confirm that the event date is at least two months out from the submission of the proposal
- Know how dynamic the specific event date is (e.g., is this still in the brainstorming stage?)
- Consider whether the applicants have given themselves enough time to produce a solid event
Program Description
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- Understand what specifically will happen at this event. Who’s doing what and to what end? Why is this event relevant?
- Have a sense of the roll out of the program (e.g., the event will start with a panel discussion with speakers x, y and z and then transition to a hands-on workshop, etc.)
Project Timeline
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- See a well thought-out articulation of the steps needed to move from planning to execution to evaluation of the event
- See the project broken down into its component parts (e.g., securing venue, securing speakers) with estimated (rough) completion dates
Alignment
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- See an understanding of the goals of the PFRJ beyond an emphasis on “social justice”. How does the proposed program specifically “engage and examine the histories, cultures, and experiences of racially marginalized communities?”
- See an articulation of what a successful program looks like and how success will be measured
Audience
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- Understand the specific audience sought and why this event will be of interest to them
- Specify plans to recruit an audience (e.g., outreach to SAMs)
Curricular Proposals
A solid application will include clear and specific responses that articulate the vision for your new or enhanced course and demonstrate alignment with the goals of the President’s Fund for Racial Justice. Specificity is important: Does the proposal explain how a new learning experience will sufficiently “engage and examine the histories, cultures, and experiences of racially marginalized communities?” Does the proposal articulate relevant learning goals for students and explain what students will do to facilitate their learning? Does the proposal clearly describe what the requested funding will support (e.g., speaker honoria, workshop materials, event tickets) and for whom? Below are some examples of what the reviewers are considering when reading your application responses.
Course Description and Goals
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- Understand if you are seeking funding support to develop a new course or enhance an existing course
- Understand how the new or enhanced course will differ from existing courses or learning experiences
- See an articulation of the learning goals you hope the new course development or existing course enhancement will facilitate for students (e.g., explaining the “why” behind your proposal)
Sample Assignment/Project
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- Understand what students will do to engage with new learning opportunities afforded by the new course or course enhancements (e.g., an assignment that follows engagement with a guest artist)
- See a clear connection between the proposed learning experience and the learning goals articulated in the Course Description section
Alignment
When reading your application, reviewers will want to:
- See an understanding of the goals of the PFRJ beyond an emphasis on “social justice”. How does the proposed course or learning experience specifically “engage and examine the histories, cultures, and experiences of racially marginalized communities?”
