The Special Projects Program was designed to broaden awareness of materials science education in both professional and nonprofessional communities by providing programs for distribution between university chapters outside of MRS.
Please note that beginning in 2022, all University Chapter Special Project Grant proposals must support the MRS DEI Aspiration: The Materials Research Society embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) by actively engaging our diverse global membership, supporting the careers of underrepresented researchers and investing in community actions to address bias and end inequities. The proposal must clearly indicate how the project will support the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion and/or benefit or engage scientists from historically marginalized groups. Anticipated outcomes and how they will be measured must also be included.
To obtain funding, a written proposal must be prepared and submitted to MRS by students of the chapter and should include:
- Project must clearly support the MRS DEI Aspiration
- A description of the project and its value to further materials science education
- A cost estimate
- An estimated time of completion
- A clear description of the deliverable
Evaluation Criteria: The following provides a guideline to which the proposals will be evaluated against:
- New initiatives rather than a continuation or expansion of a present activity
- Project addresses a well-defined need
- Measurable outcomes/deliverables are clearly stated and must demonstrate how the project will advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Deliverables are clearly stated with desired outcome
- Timeline and plan for successful completion are clear and realistic
- Funding request and proposed budget are reasonable
- Deliverables potentially useful to other university chapters or to MRS in general
The deadline for submitting Special Projects proposals is December 15th of each year. Upon review of the proposals by the University Chapter Subcommittee, an announcement of selected projects will be made by the end of January of the following year.
A final report which recaps the project will be required and the information will be posted on this page.
Please note the following:
- Eligibility: Must be a current, active MRS University Chapter in good standing
- Funding Amount: $250 - $1000 per project
- Note: Multiple grant requests may be submitted by a single chapter, however, no more than one grant per chapter will be approved
- Evaluation Process: Reviewed and approved by the MRS Career Advancement Committee
- Proposal Deadline: 11:59 pm ET, December 15 of each year
- Grants Announced: By the end of January of the following year
- Examples of previously submitted and accepted proposals:
- HS Materials Research Day (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
- Science Policy Workshop (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Proposals for Special Projects should be submitted electronically to foundation.mrs.org. Please contact Lorri Smiley with any questions that pertain to the Special Projects Grants program for MRS University Chapters.