Mini-grants are projects $5,000 and under that can be applied for on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Types of projects
Projects must meet funding criteria.
- Events (speaker costs, rental fees, equipment, etc)
- Performances (music, art, and cultural performances)
- Materials (for projects, promotional items for events, etc)
- Pilot / Feasibility Studies (small amount of capital funding to explore the feasibility of larger project)
- Diversity in Sustainability (Initiatives that help to connect underrepresented groups to Sustainability)
Who’s eligible?
Current students and RSOs are eligible to apply for mini-grant funding. Faculty and staff may apply in conjunction with a student team. Individuals from diverse backgrounds and with creative approaches are encouraged to apply.
Funding restrictions
The CSF cannot fund food (unless for a recognition event) or gifts.
Application process
- Develop your project team to ensure you have the support to complete your project.
- Review the CSF project criteria.
- Identify a staff budget administrator within your department/unit, discuss your project budget spreadsheet (xlsx) with them, and receive their approval to administer your grant funds (see Mini-Grant AARF form (docx))
- Submit a Letter of Intent through our online web portal. Attach completed Mini-Grant AARF (docx) & Excel Budget Document (xlsx) forms.
Approval timeline
The CSF Committee will take 1-4 weeks to review your proposal during the academic year (excluding breaks). The CSF may request more information about your application during this time.
If your application is approved, you will receive an e-mail notification from the CSF.
Funding processes
Upon grant approval, you may begin spending up to your approved amount through your departmental budget administrator. it may take an additional 1-4 weeks to purchase and receive any needed items through your budget administrator.
Please work with your budget administrator early on (6-8 weeks prior to when you need funding) to review your budget and ensure you understand all procurement and reimbursement policies and procedures for your project. Each department/entity may differ slightly. Some may need more lead time than others, and some may not allow for reimbursements (purchases will need to be made directly by the department/entity).
Where do I find a Budget Administrator?
Often, academic departments have a fiscal staff member who can administer your budget. You may contact your academic advisor for guidance, or visit your department staff webpage. You can include your proposal, budget, mini-grant AARF form, and link to this page in your correspondence.
If your project isn't closely aligned with your academic department, contact other departments that you may work closely with that could oversee budget administration. Feel free to include CSF staff in any emails with these contacts, we are happy to provide more detail on what budget administration entails and the extent of the responsibility.
Info for Budget Administrators
All expenses should be approved and processed by the project’s Budget Administrator. They will be responsible for informing students on any specific procedures.
The CSF will set up a new Project/Program ID (optional) and transfer funds to the Cost Center within the department/entity you are working with (this can take up to 3 weeks to set up). Expenses can then be made directly to this Cost Center. The department/entity is responsible for reconciling this budget.
Budget reallocation: Changes below 10% of the grant total and do not introduce new items (reallocate fund between approved items). To reallocate the fund, please contact csfproj@uw.edu and csfcoord@uw.edu. The entire reallocation process should take less than a week.
Budget amendments: Changes greater than 10% of the grant total or introduce new line items that are not present on the initial budget sheet will need CSF committee's pre-approval.
Completion
Once funds have been spent, you (Project Lead) will be required to provide an updated version of the budget spreadsheet and a project completion form to report on your project’s success.
Questions about the mini-grant process? Please contact csfproj@uw.edu.