Members of The University of Arizona community are invited to apply for grants offered by the UA's Commission on the Status of Women. Grants will be awarded for projects that promote the goals of the CSW.

All members of the UA community – including students, faculty, staff, departments and organizations – are eligible to apply for the CSW Mini Grant Awards. The maximum award amount is $1,500, but partial awards may be given, and fund requests typically average between $400 and $600, according to a news release from the commission.

Grants will be awarded to projects related to equity and quality of life issues and that promote the CSW's goals to:

• Identify and provide leadership on issues that affect women.
• Develop and support University policies and practices that promote equity and diversity.
• Increase leadership and advancement opportunities for women and underrepresented minorities.
• Collaborate with other groups to create inclusive and safe communities.
• Foster individual and collective accountability promoting justice, equity and diversity.
• Educate the campus community about the work and goals of the commission.

The proposed activity or project must take place between April 2009 and June 2010, and the deadline to apply for grant funds is 5 p.m. on Feb. 16.

Applicants must submit a maximum three-page proposal including the project title, amount requested, date and location of the proposed project, name and contact information of the project director, and key staff and project details that address the following questions:

• How will the project or activity meet the above stated CSW goals?
• Does the project or activity address equity or quality of life issues?
• Who is the target audience and how they will be reached?
• If this is a project that will be reoccurring, what steps have been put in place to assure sustainable funding for future events?

The proposal also should provide a brief description of the project or activity deliverables, such as increased awareness or some type of product, and describe success indicators.

Applicants must also submit a detailed budget that itemizes funds requested, justifies how the cost was estimated and lists other financial assistance or in-kind contributions that will be used and the status of those applications.

Proposals can be submitted via e-mail to Cheryl Muller at mullerc@email.arizona.edu or by fax to the Disability Resource Center, attention Cheryl, at 621-9423.

Applicants may apply for funding for multiple projects through separate proposals.

Preference will be given to first-time applicants and winners will be notified in early March.

For more information, e-mail mullerc@email.arizona.edu or visit the CSW Web site and click on "2009 Mini Grant Proposals" under "Workgroup News."