VCCS Paul Lee Workshop Mini-Grants

Purpose

Workshop Mini-Grants provide funding for the development of employee group activities such as workshops, in-service activities, and conferences involving at least two or more VCCS colleges in the planning and implementation.

Regional proposals, duplication of successful programs in other regions, and programs aligned to Achieve 2015 are encouraged. The VCCS Workshop Mini-Grant Program encourages projects in the following areas:

• Discipline development – builds knowledge and skills within the academic discipline or professional specialty.
• Instructional development – improves classroom teaching, learning, and assessment techniques.
• Career development – provides tools for effective personal planning to improve the quality of work and life.
• Organizational development – enhances administrative and leadership skills to fulfill the institutional mission of the community college.

Steps to Apply

Step 1:

Submit the VCCS Paul Lee Workshop Mini-Grant Application (online only).

We suggest using the template provided to first fine tune your proposal in draft form, then cut-and-paste into the online application. Once your application is successfully accepted into the database, you will immediately receive a confirmation page to print for your records.

Allowable expenditures include:

• honorariums for external speakers (non-VCCS employees);
• travel expenses for all speakers reimbursed in accordance with state travel policies;
• meeting room charges, although every effort should be made to negotiate space on campus at no cost;
• audio/visual equipment, although every effort should be made to use college equipment;
• food and beverage at state per diems; and
• other miscellaneous items such as materials and duplication costs may be allowed upon committee review.

Non-allowable expenditures include: fees paid for services not connected with an approved budget activity, gifts, alcohol and entertainment. Once you have completed your grant project, file the final report within designated time or you and your college will be asked to return the funds awarded and be ineligible for future grants.

Before You Submit

1. Read through the entire grant application packet and instructions on this site.
2. Discuss the idea for your proposal with colleagues, especially those who have applied for VCCS grants in the past, and with your supervisor.
3.

Prepare a draft application for review by your college grants officer. Note: Five colleges are required to route their application through the grants office. Click here for a list of college grant officers.