What is the INIE-Mini Grant Program? The Mini-Grant Program seeks to broaden the participation of researchers, educators, and students in the field of nuclear science and technology by providing access to seven Big-Ten facilities, including University Research and Training Reactors (URTR) and Virtual Research and Training Reactors (VRTR). These grants are to be considered “seed” funding to establish new relationships between our seven institutions and new users of our facilities.

How does the The INIE Mini-Grant program work? The program provides grants to various instutions, organizations and groups such as high schools, colleges, universities, national laboratories, businesses and industry.  The Mini-Grant Program is funded and made possible by the U.S. Department of Energy. The amount of the grants range from $1,000 to as much as $25,000 and are based on a one-year award period.  

Who is eligible for the grant program? Various instutions, organizations and groups such as high schools, colleges, universities, national laboratories, businesses and industry

How do I apply for a grant for my institution? Read the proposal information, application instructions and proposal guidelines at http://www.mne.psu.edu/minigrant/proposalguidelines2007-2008.html and fill out the application form located at http://www.mne.psu.edu/minigrant/application2007-2008.html  which can be submitted electonically. (note: please contact the Mini-Grant Program Secretary, Traci Shimmel, by phone (814-863-6383), or e-mail (tshimmel@psu.edu), when grant has been submitted on-line. This will assure that application has been received. Applications may be received electronically (preferred) or hard copy, including fax or U.S. Mail. Please check the application for the deadline date.

What is the deadline for submitting applications? Deadline date is located at the top of the application form.

What happens after the application is submitted? The Mini-Grant proposals will be reviewed from three areas:

* Scientific and/or technical merit or the educational benefits of the project.
* Appropriateness of the proposed method or approach.
* Cost/benefit of proposal submitted.

The process of review is based on four phases:

* Phase I. URTR/VRTR representatives will review each proposal associated with their respective URTR/VRTR for economic and communication standpoint. Failure to contact your chosen URTR/VRTR facility prior to submission will disqualify the application at that phase.
* Phase II. Each proposal will be reviewed by three outside people who are familiar with nuclear science and technology and working in fields such as secondary, higher education, industrial or medical applications.
* Phase III. The Mini-Grant Governance Committee will review the URTR and Reviewers’ data and make a recommendation on which applications to submit to U.S. DOE for final approval.
* Phase IV. The United State Department of Energy project office associated with the INIE project will approve the grants for 2007-2008.

Who do I contact for information or questions about the program? Please contact the Mini-Grant Program Secretary, Traci Shimmel, by phone (814-863-6383), or e-mail (tshimmel@psu.edu).