Fostering Staff Connections, Empowering Growth, and Enhancing Workplace Climate
The Office of the Dean is excited to announce the launch of the DUSON Staff Spark Grant Program. This program aims to foster a welcoming and respectful climate and enhance the staff experience.
We encourage creative approaches to strengthening staff communities within and across the School of Nursing. This includes improving workplace climate through initiatives that enhance staff satisfaction, sense of belonging, and engagement.
Additionally, we support developing resources or programming that deepen engagement and support career advancement. Proposals should mirror the successful themes and opportunities available for faculty in the Faculty Advancement Seed Grant Program and seek to deepen engagement and improve the overall work environment. We look forward to supporting initiatives that will build a stronger, more resilient, and engaged staff community.
Eligibility
All DUSON staff are eligible to apply to this program. We encourage and welcome applications from Staff with limited or no experience with grant funding.
Funding
Spark grant awards typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, with a maximum funding limit of $5,000 per award. Staff must be in good standing with the university at the time of submission and remain in good standing throughout the project period. Funds may be revoked if this status changes or the staff member is no longer employed by DUSON.
Proposal Submission Requirements
- A project narrative, including a detailed project description and rationale, targeted participants, start date, end date, and metrics of success. The narrative must include an estimate of staff time to meet the objectives of the grant, but not interfere with regular job duties. Examples of proposed activities: workshops and programs, structured affinity groups, resource development, symposia on issues related to staff experiences, outside speakers, book clubs, etc.
- A one-page budget with a brief justification. Funds may not be used to support research projects, research collaborations, staff effort travel, individual staff professional development opportunities, equipment or monetary distributions to support secondary or related projects. It is expected that funds will be spent in the 12-month period of the award cycle.
- A project timeline that provides a projection of duration and milestones in the award cycle.
Proposal Submission Requirements
Submission Deadline:
February 7, 2025 at 5 pm.
To view the Proposal Guide and Submit a Proposal, click below:
Award Timeline:
Funding notification: March 7, 2025
Funding: April 2025
Project End: April 2026
Report Due: May 2026
Review Process
DUSON HR and the project lead/co-lead’s supervisor(s) will ensure that the staff members are in good standing and have the available capacity to take part in the grant-funded project.
Report
Recipients will complete a report at the conclusion of the funding cycle that summarizes project activities, assesses outcomes, details budget expenses, and describes efforts to sustain or build upon the successes of the seed grant project. Spark Grant Project Leads will receive the template for the report at the end of the grant cycle.
Contact
For questions about the DUSON Staff Spark Grant Program, please contact the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) at son-diversity@dm.duke.edu.