ANNOUNCEMENTS:
RESEARCH SUPPORT
SOCIETY OF MINERAL MUSEUM
PROFESSIONALS
Research Study Grants
Awards are to support curatorial
research and methodologies that address one or more of the Society of Mineral
Museum Professionals (SMMP) mission statement goals: 1) foster recognition of
mineral science collections as essential scientific, educational and cultural
resources, 2) promote support for growth, maintenance and use of collections and
exhibits and, 3) advance museum practice through cooperation in the development,
review and dissemination of information. Amounts vary up to a maximum of $1000
per grant. Grant awards determined by SMMP Board of Directors. Grant
applications are available on request.
GENERAL RULES
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Society of Mineral Museum Professionals grants are
awarded to museum curators or staff who are members of the SMMP or under the
guidance of an SMMP member. Proposals from sponsored students are considered
along with those from professional curators.
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A final report providing results of the project and
including an accounting of grant funding expenditures is required. Portions of
the report deemed to be of general interest to SMMP members may be published
in the SMMP Newsletter.
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Funds are intended for equipment, staffing, travel and/or
supplies to accomplish the tasks defined by the proposal. Money will not be
provided for specimen acquisition.
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At the beginning of each fiscal year, the amount to be
allocated to grants during that year will be decided by the Board of
Directors. The number of grants awarded during that year will be limited by
the funds allocated.
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The funds available for grants will be decided annually,
based on the recommendation of the Treasurer. Individual grant amounts are
limited to a maximum of $1,000 per grant.
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The Board of Directors will evaluate the proposals and
determine the amount to be awarded to each successful proposal.
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The grant funding cycle begins in February after the Tucson meeting.
Applications can be made anytime within the fiscal year. Grant proposals are
due by August 1st with a October 1 funding decision.
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Projects should be completed within a year of grant
award. Projects can be extended an additional year, without additional
funding, by notifying the Board of Directors and providing a budget report.
REQUIREMENTS FOR TEXT FORMAT OF PROPOSALS & LETTERS OF
REFERENCE
Text Format of Proposals
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Summary of
the proposed work (1 paragraph 200 words maximum)
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Problem/purpose of study
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Scope of
study
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Previous
studies
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Plan of
study
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Methods of
study
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Potential
publications or presentations at professional meetings
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Itemized
budget; items should be clearly identified and described in the text;
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List of
references cited in the proposal
Reference Letters (at least 2 required)
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If a student or intern, at least one letter of reference
must be from the students advisor, stating the intent to supervise the
project.
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At least one letter of reference must be from a current
member of the SMMP.
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Letters should describe the significance of the proposed
research.
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Letters should comment on the adequacy of the purpose and
scope of the study, of the plan of study, and of the methods of study with
respect to the mission of the SMMP.
EVALUATION PROCESS
Proposals are to be
evaluated and independently ranked by each member of the SMMP Board of
Directors. Each member of the board is free to use their own judgment in
evaluating proposals beyond the general guidelines given above. Any board member
that provides a letter of reference is ineligible to evaluate that proposal. The
board will strongly consider well thought-out proposals and innovative proposals
not apt to receive conventional support. Proposal writers should consider the
following:
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Is the scope of proposed work compatible with the time
frame proposed?
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Does the proposal tie-in to ongoing work of curatorial
significance?
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Does the proposal have the potential for making a
contribution in one or more of the SMMP mission statements?
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A bibliography of the applicants publications.
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A list of potential publications or papers presented at
professional meetings.
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Applicants participation and contributions to the SMMP
and curation community.
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