FCIQ 101 Foundations of Inquiry Final Research Project 25 points This semester you learned in a variety of ways: listening, reading, thinking, observing, reflecting, and doing. The skills you developed over the course of this semester will be applied to the creation of the FCIQ 101 Research Project. Are you ready? This semester you have proven to be analytical, collaborative, and innovative. You have big ideas that can help change the world for the better! (wait, what defines better? How would a political scientist answer that question? Or a sociologist? Or a historian? Or a psychologist? Okay, sorry, digressing here) You are going to take that innovative idea of yours and write a proposal to a foundation for project funding. What idea? You decide. What foundation? You decide. Here are some general common attributes of \"fundable\" projects: They have a beginning, middle and end (or a credible plan for sustainability after the grant/funding.) They have a clearly defined goal directly tied to one of the foundation/organization\'s expressed interests. They commit to providing measurable results. For example, training 100 farmers in Central Africa in sustainable agriculture practices, resulting in 500 acres under sustainable cultivation, as opposed to holding a conference at which experts discuss world hunger solutions. Selecting your foundation: Extensively study websites of foundations or organizations, reviewing their missions and goals. If, after carefully review you determine that a particular foundation/organization is an appropriate match for you, you will write them your Letter of Inquiry, which is a brief summary of your project. (Letter of Inquiry? aka your FCIQ 101 Research Project) Technique The Letter of Inquiry must be concise yet engaging. Choose your words wisely. Avoid jargon and flowery subjective statements that are not supported by facts. Write a logical, persuasive argument emphasizing how this project can help solve a significant problem or void in the knowledge base. Components of your Letter of Inquiry 1. Opening Paragraph: Your summary statement. 200-250 words (2 points) It should be able to stand alone. If the foundation/organization reads nothing else they should know what you want to do from reading this paragraph. Answer the following: Who wants to do what? How much is being requested? Is this a portion of a larger project cost? Over what period of time is money being requested? Example: \"_______________________ seek(s) support for developing an innovative ___________that will _________________. I/We are requesting $00,000 over a x-year period.\" 2. Statement of Need: The \"why\" of the project. (350+ words 6 points) What social, educational or research question/issue will you address? Explain why you have chosen to respond to this set of issues in the way that you have. State briefly why this matters in the area in which you will be working. Note who benefits. Make sure you can indicate the public good achieved. What will change as a result of your proposed work? 3. Project Activity: The \"what\" and \"how\" of the project. (400+ words- 7 points) Provide a detailed overview of the activities involved. Highlight why your approach is novel and deserving of the special attention that funding connotes. Indicate if there will be collaboration with other organizations and what their roles will be. Be specific about who does what. 4. Outcomes (250+ words 3 points) State the specific outcomes you hope to achieve. How much will the issue change? (a standard of measurement that makes sense given the problem addressed) Indicate how evaluation is part of the project. How will you know you\'ve achieved these outcomes? 5. Credentials (200+ words 2 points) Demonstrate why you are best equipped to carry out this activity: Include information about your major at NYIT Include knowledge and/or experience gained through FCIQ 101 Foundations of Inquiry Indicate awards, rankings, and tangible measures that set you apart from your peers. 6. Budget (150+ words - 1 points) General description of the projects funding needs and total amount of request. 7. Closing (100+ words 1 point) Offer to give any additional information the foundation might need. Express appreciation for the reader\'s attention. Specifically indicate you are interested in discussing the project and will \"contact their office\" by a certain date (allowing time for them to receive and read the letter) Criteria on Based on UMass Amherst, Corporate and Foundation Relations https://www.umass.edu/cfr/grant-writing/what-are-foundations-looking-proposal Formatting Directions: Once you have written your Letter of Inquiry in a Word doc or a Google doc, you will copy and paste that text to a new medium: Canva Canva is a free online graphic design website. Use your NYIT Google Apps to login. Once logged in choose the proposal template https://www.canva.com/proposals/templates/ The layout, elements, text, and background are your choice. There are many free layouts. You are able to change the elements, text, and background from your free layout. Regardless of the type of proposal template you select (there are many options--have fun with the design! Be creative!) your proposal will include the following: Text (the 7 criterion listed above). A minimum of one video related to your research question/issue. A minimum of three (3) appropriate pictures. **While designing your Canva Proposal, remember our work on critical thinking and visual materials! The design will compliment your Letter of Inquiry. Keep in mind audience, context, and purpose, tone, location, arrangement, scale, text, typography, connotation, readability.

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