To optimize and extend the life of the grants program and to make it more equitable, we have made a few changes in the process.

1. Grant applications will be reviewed once per academic semester (deadlines: September 30th and February 28th )
2. Funding requests should be $1,000 or less. Funding will be capped at $3,000 per semester
3. The number of projects funded per educational program will be limited to 2 per semester
4. The deadline for using funds is by the end of the fiscal year
5. A scoring rubric will be used for consistency

The grant applications will be scored on the following criteria:  

• Should be creative or illustrate an innovative approach to a specific issue to highly engage participants.  
• Initiatives proposed should not be overly complex but should be straight forward
• Proposals should strive to be inclusive, benefitting a diverse cross-section of students, residents, or fellows, rather than just a division, class, or program.  
• Proposals should describe how trainees will be made  broadly aware of the activity or program so that all may benefit. 
• Proposals should not request funds to be used exclusively to pay for food or beverages; funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages (mechanism is through reimbursement and receipts will be required).
• The application is clear, thoughtful, and evidence-based.  
• Must include a budget that outlines how the funds will be spent.