Iowa Native Plant Society Grant Information
The Iowa Native Plant Society strives to increase appreciation and enjoyment of Iowa's native flora and to foster programs focusing on education, conservation, and the ethical use of native plants. Small grants are given annually to advance these goals.
Types of projects supported:
- Acquisition of land that will significantly contribute to the conservation of Iowa's native flora
- Restoration and management of high-quality native remnants on private or public land
- Research that will contribute to conservation, appreciation and increased knowledge of Iowa's native flora
- Training and education that achieve the same ends.
Who may apply
Non-profit institutions and individuals. Applicants need not be Iowa residents; however, the project must be carried out in Iowa. First priority will be given to agencies and individuals that have not received an INPS grant during the previous 2 years.
Individuals at academic institutions should apply through their grants office.
Size of grants. INPS may award each year:
- Land Acquisition or Restoration/Management grants totaling up to $1250
- Research grants totaling up to $500
- Training and Education grants totaling up to $250
Grant evaluations
Applicants are encouraged to review the grant evaluation procedures when preparing their applications (see below).
When to submit
Proposals must be postmarked January 15 for funding effective April 1 of that year. Applicants will be notified by March 15 if their proposals are approved.
Application form
Open, save and complete the Microsoft Word document application form. Submit it as an email attachment, or mail a paper copy to the INPS vice-president; see addresses on Application Form.
Please note that the Project Description (including the Background, Objectives, Methods, Significance of Work, and Qualifications of Agency or PI) should not exceed 5 double-spaced pages.
Please include an itemized budget and budget justification. Matching funds, if any, should be shown. Such funds are especially encouraged in the "Land Acquisition" and "Restoration/Management" categories.
No funding shall be granted for salaries at academic institutions or agencies, or institutional/agency overhead. If the applicant's grant office requires documentation that INPS does not fund salaries or agency overhead, the INPS treasurer shall provide such documentation.
Funding for land acquisition projects may be awarded as a pledge to be paid at the time of land purchase, rather than as a direct payment.
Reward obligations
At the project's completion, recipients should share their results with other INPS members by writing a 100-300 word description of the project for the INPS newsletter, or making a short presentation at the INPS Annual Meeting, or leading a field trip to the research site. A brief summary of project accomplishments should be sent to the INPS vice-president by December 31 of the project year.
Grant evaluation guidelines
Grants will be placed in one of the following categories:
- Cat. 1. Land Acquisition
- Cat. 2. Restoration / Management
- Cat. 3. Research
- Cat. 4. Education, Training
Proposals will be numerically rated according to the following 3 criteria, with a maximum of 5 points granted for each criterion (for a total maximum score of 15 points). These criteria apply to all 4 grant categories unless otherwise noted. Awards will be decided on the basis of this point system and input from the INPS Board.
Qualifications of Project Director or Agency, Adequacy of Resources:
- Demonstrated track record of success, or qualifications adequate for successful project completion
- Budget suitable for achieving objectives (Cats. 2, 3, 4 only )
- Management entity clearly defined (Cats. 1, 2 only )
- For student applicants, a positive letter of support from advisor
Intrinsic Merit of Project:
- Project directly related to conservation, appreciation, or understanding of native plants
- Documented evidence of high-quality remnant plant communities, or proximity to high-quality remnants or other protected areas. Preliminary floral inventory completed. (Cats 1, 2 only )
- Reaches broad audience, is distinctive and imaginative, and results extend beyond the grant year (Cat. 4 only )
Methods:
- Purpose and methods clearly described
- Procedures appropriate to the proposed problem
- Methods have negligible negative impact on native plant communities
- Land acquisition projects should include: Preliminary plans for land's management and long-term protection, documentation of signed option to purchase, site map, brief site history (Cat. 1 only )
- Applicant's long-term commitment; preference given to projects on land with conservation easements (Cat. 2 only )
- Plan for dissemination of results
Last updated October 2007