Developments in VWCC Grants Periodically, I would like to share updates on grants which have been awarded and provide a little detail about these projects. Often everyone is so busy on campus, there are many wonderful things happening that we might not know about. See some recent grant updates below with the primary contact noted in case you would like more information on the project. Recent Awards National Science Foundation – Virginia Tech: Center for Mining and Mineral Engineering Collaboration NSF Virginia Tech collaboration – Robotics Mining Subaward- A VWCC student team, and Dr. Richard Clark (their advisor), would collaborate with Dr. Erik Westman (the VT CASERM Site Director) as well as Dr. Xinxin Shao (a VT Research Associate) to design and build lab-scale autonomous mining equipment that will be tested at VT’s Center for Autonomous Mining. This project would encompass a two-year period with a total budget $99,868 covering equipment and student time working in the lab. (Dr. Rick Clark -PI) National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education – NSF ATE Cross-Pollination Skillsets: A project to grow Mechatronics and Agriculture Collaboration for Producing Skills Agricultural Technicians. This ATE project will combine mechatronics and agricultural curriculums to provide the next generation… Continue Reading Have you heard?Read More
Let’s play a game…. Most people say to me when they hear that I work in the field of grants, “Ugh, I would never want that job!” Encouraging, right? Really, most people feel like the process is too detailed, too complicated; they would prefer to be granted funds to do their projects, without any strings attached. Ah, but as they say… there is no such thing as a free lunch. Lucky for me, (most days), I enjoy the grant writing process and have often joked that my inner gambler has been the driving force for my interest in and desire to work on grants. You dig in, create a plan and roll the dice with your submission….. when you receive an award, it’s like hitting a jackpot, it’s a win! Some personal satisfaction + the ability to help support the needs of your organization, THAT is what makes grant writing great! In the last Grantology blog, I discussed what a LOI is and the benefits there can be for applicant as well as funder. For this edition, let’s think of grant writing or specifically, completing an LOI, as a game… that sounds more like fun, right? Remember The Game of… Continue Reading The Game of Life – Innovation Edition!Read More
What Is an LOI? A letter of intent (LOI) can be thought of as an appetizer, if you are ok with a food metaphor. An LOI can really be a first step in the grants process and is designed as a tool to generate interest (or get an appetite going, if we are staying with the metaphor). The idea is to generate interest from a grant provider, based on the requested initial information. LOI’s can be requested when a funder is seeking to support projects in key specific priority area, such as the local Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia LOI process for projects related to Community Vibrancy, Education and Youth, or Health. Our own Educational Foundation offers a LOI process as well for the Bright Ideas Innovation Grants. Are LOI’s commonly requested? The utility of an LOI for both submitter and funder seems to continue to increase, and the concept of providing initial detail seems to be gaining traction, as I have recently also seen this utilized at the federal level. Monday I was reviewing a National Science Foundation (NSF) solicitation for Regional Innovation Engines. This solicitation gives the opportunity for Big Asks, with a potential of over 10 years… Continue Reading Why Try An LOI?Read More
About Shelley
Shelley Lyons is glad to be back on campus as she is a Virginia Western alum, and has served as the Administrative Officer for Grants Administration at Virginia Western since early 2022. Prior to VWCC, her career focus was within the Human Services and Arts fields. She wrote her first grant in 1996 on a whim and has continued to plan and learn since that time. She most enjoys seeing a well-planned project come to fruition, where funder, project manager and beneficiaries can all feel success and see impact.
Recent Posts
- Have you heard? October 28, 2024
- The Game of Life – Innovation Edition! August 29, 2024
- Why Try An LOI? May 10, 2024
- Grant Nerds Unite! March 12, 2024
- The Power of Collaboration November 17, 2023