Grant Application Instructions for the

Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation, Inc.

Science Research Endowment

Overview of the Science Research Endowment

The Endowment was established in 2009 through initial donations by Dr. Denise ('70) and Mr. Jon Beusen, Ms. Joyce Gebhardt (former O.M. Tiffany educator), the Class of '53 and Sanford Health.

Earnings from the endowment are used to provide grants to students or faculty of Aberdeen Central High School (CHS) in order to support training of CHS students in scientific research. The total dollar amount of grants awarded varies from year to year based on earnings.

The Science Research Endowment Committee is comprised of representatives of the Foundation Board, CHS administration, and CHS science faculty. They in turn appointan Endowment Review Coordinator, who is a scientist that manages the grant application and review process. Based on the results of the review, the Committee selects the awardees in each year’s competition.

Eligibility

Applicants must be

  • CHS students who are conducting research under the mentorship of the CHS science faculty;
  • CHS students who are participating in a program outside of CHS classes whose primary goal is to educate students in scientific research; or
  • CHS science faculty who mentor CHS students involved in science research.

Fundsare awarded for the purchase of scientific equipment or supplies to support CHS student science research projects. The Aberdeen Public School District retains ownership of any equipment and supplies purchased using grant funds.

Funds are also awarded to cover expenses of CHS students who have qualified as observers at an International Science and Engineering Fair, and the expenses of their CHS science faculty mentor to accompany them.

The amount of a Grant is limited by availability of endowment funds and is based on the reasonable expenses of the activity for which the Grant is provided. Grants are not renewable, and funds cannot be used for salaries or for routine classroom or class laboratory expenses.

Application Instructionsfor Students Research Projects

CHS students applying for funds to support research projects must use the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) forms, which are provided online each year (

The following complete forms are required as part of the application:

  • Form 1: Checklist for Adult Sponsor / Safety Assessment Form
  • Form 1A: Student Checklist / Research Plan (including abstract)
  • Form 1B: Approval Form

The following forms are required only if relevant:

  • Form 1C: Regulated Research Institutional / Industrial Setting Form
  • Form 2: Qualified Scientist Form
  • Form 3: Risk Assessment Form
  • Form 4: Human Subjects and Informed Consent Form
  • Form 5: Vertebrate Animal Form (5A and 5B)
  • Form 6A: Potentially Hazardous Biological Agents Form
  • Form 6B: Human and Vertebrate Animal Tissue Form

In addition, the application must include a statement signed by the applicant, the adult sponsor, and the qualified scientist that indicates:

  • The dollar amount requested
  • How the funds will be used

Rules

  • Any project supported by the Endowment must comply with the ISEF Rules Book.
  • Applicants may submit only one application a year. An application must not be an exact repetition of one submitted by the same applicant in a previous year.
  • Research involving vertebrate animal, human subjects, and recombinant DNA must meet regulations specified in the ISEF Rules Book.
  • The complete application documents must be received by the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation by midnight, October 15 of each year.
  • The Endowment Review Coordinator will recruit qualified judges who will use the ISEF criteria in scoring applications. A minimum of two judges will review each application.
  • The decision of the judges will be final.
  • The Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation Director will inform applicants of their scores and any funding decisions made by the Endowment Committee no later than December 15.
  • Any funds awarded will be paid to CHS and not to individual applicants.
  • Any CHS science faculty member who is mentoring a student with a pending application to the Endowment may not serve on the Science Research Endowment Committee.

Application Instructions for Faculty and for Student Observers

CHS faculty applying for funds to support student research efforts or for funds to cover expenses for attendance at science fairs must complete the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation, Inc. Mini-grant Program Application Form which is available on the Foundation’s web site.

CHS students applying for funds to cover expenses to attend a science fair as an Observermust supply the ISEF Forms 1, 1A, and 1B from their qualifying project. In addition, the student application must include

  • The regional science fair judge’s scores and comments on the qualifying project, and
  • A statement signed by the applicant and the adult sponsor that indicates the dollar amount requested and how the funds will be used.

Rules

  • Applicants may submit only one application a year. An application must not be an exact repetition of one submitted by the same applicant in a previous year.
  • CHS faculty applying for funds to cover expenses for attendance at science fairs must have a student who has qualified to participate in the event.
  • Any CHS science faculty member who has a pending application for support from the Endowment may not serve on the Science Research Endowment Committee.
  • The complete application documents must be received by the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation by midnight, April 5 of each year.
  • Applications will be reviewed by the Science Research Endowment Committee.
  • The Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation Director will inform applicants of the Committee’s decision by April 30.
  • Any funds awarded will be paid to CHS and not to individual applicants.

Responsibility of awardees

A report that summarizes activities supported by any Endowment grant must be submitted to the Aberdeen Public Schools Foundation Director by the student or faculty awardee no later than 6 months following the award.

CHS Science Research Endowment Last updated on 9/28/20101