Overview
The NU 2 Foundations program is a partnership between the Office of Research and Innovation (R&I) and University of Nebraska Foundation (UNF) aimed at helping faculty and staff increase their foundation funding. Participants will learn how to best position themselves to receive private foundation funding to support their research, scholarship, outreach or creative endeavors.
Format
The four-session program will consist of a combination of instruction and interactive workshops. These activities are designed to help participants be strategic in applying for private foundation funds. Program sessions will be taught by R&I and UNF staff.
Program Outcomes
Participants will:
- Identify relevant private foundation funders for their research, scholarship, outreach or creative activity.
- Design a communication strategy to effectively engage identified private foundation funders leading to a funding request.
- Prepare a funding request that best positions them to be successful receiving funds for their research, scholarship, outreach or creative activity.
Eligibility
Applications are welcome from full-time UNL faculty and staff who are in the early stages of developing a research, scholarship or creative activity funding request with plans to submit to a private foundation. Participants who participate in NU 2 Foundations may not re-apply in subsequent years.
Application Materials
1) A document (no more than two pages, 11-point font, one-inch margins on all sides) describing:
- Your goals for participating in the NU 2 Foundations program.
- What is the challenge or opportunity your research, scholarship, and/or creative activity aims to address?
- What are the expected outcomes and impacts of your proposed research, scholarship, and/or creative activity?
- If you have previously sought funding for this idea and a list of private foundations you may have already identified as relevant for support.
2) Your full curriculum vitae or resume. (In addition to the two-page limit. Please combine documents and attach them as one PDF.)
Please upload these materials as a single PDF in the application portal. Apply for NU 2 Foundations
Selection Criteria
There will be up to 12 participants in the cohort. The selection committee will be looking for:
- The applicant’s ability to articulate relevant and feasible goals for participating in the NU 2 Foundations program.
- The applicant’s ability to clearly summarize a vision for their research, scholarship, or creative activity for which they would like to seek private foundation funding.
- The readiness of the applicant for the NU 2 Foundations program. Relevant factors may include prior work and experience, demonstrations of proof-of-concept, preliminary data, existing work products (e.g., publications), etc. Selection priority will be given to faculty who have not previously competed successfully as a faculty PI for an external, peer-reviewed grant that supports a significant portion of their research, scholarship or creative activity program.
Application Deadline
Applications to participate in NU 2 Foundations must be submitted by 5 p.m. CDT on Dec. 20, 2024.
Applicant Notification
The applicant notification process will be completed in January.
2025 Schedule*
Participants are expected to attend all program activities, which consists of four sessions running from March to May.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, Jan. 28 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| Tuesday, Feb. 11 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
| Tuesday, March 25 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Whittier 152 |
*In the event classes are to follow instructional continuity plans, the session will take place virtually
For more information, contact Heather Borck, research development program coordinator, at 402-472-4090.
