University Chapter Special Projects Program

The Special Projects Program was designed to broaden awareness and participation of materials sciences and engineering in both professional and nonprofessional communities by providing programs for distribution between university chapters outside of MRS.

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 broaden participation in the materials community by benefiting or engaging individuals historically underrepresented in STEM.  Anticipated outcomes and how they will be measured must also be included.

To obtain funding, a proposal must be prepared by students of the chapter and submitted to MRS through the submission portal.

Requirements/Evaluation Criteria: The following provides a guideline to which the proposals will be evaluated against and the requirements as you prepare your proposal for submission:

• Support of the MRS DEI Aspiration
• Only new initiatives will be considered.  Continuation or expansion of a present activity will not be funded. 
• Special Project/Program Name (Note:  It should include a reference to the DEI Aspiration)
• Purpose of the Project/Program and the need it will address
• An “Executive Summary” that includes a description of how its values broaden participation in materials sciences and materials engineering (Up to 75 words)
• Underrepresented target audience that will be served
• Measurable outcomes/deliverables that clearly state how the project/program will advance broadening participation in materials sciences and materials engineering
• Identify if others offer a similar project/program
• Total itemized project/program budget
• Amount requested from MRS Foundation
• Identify if requested funding is seed, matching or total funds
• Timeline and plan for a successful completion

  The deadline for submitting Special Projects proposals is December 15^th of each year. If the deadline date falls on a weekend, the deadline will be extended to the following Monday.  Upon review of the proposals by the University Chapter Special Projects Review Group, an announcement of selected projects will be made by the end of February of the following year.

  A final report which recaps the project/program will be required and a report template will be provided.

  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 (or next business day) of each year
• Grants Announced: By the end of February of the following year 

Examples of previously submitted and accepted proposals:

The University of Texas at El Paso
Catch them young for Materials: High School Students and Community College Outreach Activity

Broadening participation by exposing underrepresented high schools and community college students primarily in Hispanic communities to pursue a career in STEM-related areas and to process access to hands-on activities in chemistry physics, and materials research.

Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering (JSNN), University of North Carolina Greensboro & North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University)
Research Studio: Introducing Techniques, Graduate Life, and Opportunities to Underrepresented Undergraduates

Broadening participation of underrepresented researchers by providing access to educational opportunities led by graduate students from HBCUs and minority-serving institutions helping to decrease the barriers to access and showcase the growing diversity in research communities.

Click here to view past recipients 

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