Have an alternative-energy focused project in mind that you'd like to see carried out as a collaborative project between student leaders, a local community organization, and an academic unit at the university? If so, then here's your opportunity to potentially win $50,000 to help bring that vision to fruition.
The Ford Motor Company Fund is soliciting project proposals related alternative energy for the Ford College Community Challenge (3C) grant program. With the overarching theme of "Building Sustainable Communities," the program seeks to catalyze community-building projects that address pressing local needs. The entry deadline is May 20, 2011.
Winning proposals must address, in some creative way, the issue of alternative energy, which could include (but is not limited to) electrified transportation/mobility, and how it fits into the broader notion of a sustainable community. Participants are urged to think broadly about this issue, exploring a variety of issues including infrastructure and workforce needs, education pipeline issues, design issues, and a wide range of mobility solutions. Like all other criteria, alternative energy does not have to be the sole focus of a proposed project, but rather one element that must be addressed.
Five proposals will be selected to receive $50,000 each from Ford Motor Company Fund to support implementation of the proposed projects. Winning proposals must, at a minimum:
- Describe an Innovative Approach to "Building Sustainable Communities;"
- Address the Issue of Alternative Energy in a Creative Way;
- Involve Students in a Leadership Role;
- Seek to Address an Urgent and Unmet Community Need in a Tangible Way;
- Involve a Community-Based Organization as a Partner;
- Involve the School of Business, Engineering, or Design in Some Way.
Each of these areas will be expanded upon in the RFP. Respondents interested in submitting a proposal in partnership with another organization are welcome to do so. All projects must have an academic/programmatic "home" at U-M.