NJAGC is proud to announce the Instructional Mini-Grant allocations for the 2009-2010 grant period. The funding of NJAGC’s Instructional Mini-Grant Program represents the Executive Board’s commitment to the development of quality programs for gifted students in New Jersey. As the new school year begins, think of ways you might supplement your G/T program with a boost from NJAGC through the Instructional Mini-Grant Program.
The Instructional Mini-Grants of up to $500 are available to all 2009-2010 members of NJAGC. The Mini-Grants Program was established to support and supplement local programs that provide appropriate gifted education for students in Grades K-12. Grant applicants may seek funds for use during the last quarter of 2009-2010 or for the first half of the 2010-2011 school year. 
The Mini-Grant Coordinator must receive proposals by January 15, 2010. The Mini-Grants Committee will review all proposals and Mini-Grant recipients will be announced at the 19th Annual NJAC Conference in March 2010.
Grant proposal forms may be obtained by contacting the NJAGC office or by downloading the form. The requirements, guidelines, and directions listed on the form must be followed. Applicants not following the grant requirements/directions may be excluded from consideration. Applications must be submitted via electronic AND regular mail. Please direct all questions to the Instructional Mini-Grants Coordinator at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or PO Box 667, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.
So don’t delay another minute. Brainstorm with colleagues, parents, students, and community resources to create proposals that will enhance the services for gifted students in your school. Let’s direct our mental, emotional, and financial energies toward quality education for New Jersey’s gifted and talented youth through this exciting opportunity.

NJAGC Instructional Mini-Grant Guidelines:

Applicants must be current members of NJAGC. You can check your membership status on the mailing label of your Promise newsletter.

1. Mini-Grant funds of up to $500 are awarded exclusively for programs implemented in New Jersey that are designed for students who have been identified to receive gifted education services.
2. There are no limits on how many years an applicant can submit a proposal, but the submission cannot be for the same project that was funded in prior years, although a multi-year project with a new focus is acceptable.
3. Applicants may apply for and/or receive only one grant per funding year.
4. Proposals must be submitted on the NJAGC form which can be downloaded from the Award section of NJAGC’s website www.njagc.org. Forms can also be obtained by calling NJAGC at (856) 273-7530.
5. Proposals must be used to fund programs that adhere to NJ Administrative Code as related to gifted education requirements, i.e., no after school programs. Please go to www.njagc.org and download Administrative Code and FAQs to ensure adherence to state regulations.
6. Proposals must demonstrate quality and creative programs and innovative learning opportunities for gifted students.
7. Grant funds may be used for materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, or stipends. Grant funds may not be used to supplement salaries or be a source to fund field trips. Trips can be part of the larger project, but should not be the sole focus of the grant.
8. Decisions of the grant review committee are final. No appeals will be accepted.
9. Grant recipients will be required to sign a publicity agreement and submit a final report that will give details on how to replicate the program in other schools. Recipients also agree to allow photos and grant descriptions to be posted on the NJAGC website. In addition to the final report, recipients are encouraged to make a presentation at the annual conference of NJAGC and/or write an article for NJAGC’s Promise newsletter.
10. Recipients must submit a final expenditure report detailing how the funds were spent.
11. Deadline for grant submissions is January 15, 2010.

Criteria for Evaluation of NJAGC Instructional Mini-Grants (Download Criteria)

Each Mini-Grant proposal must address the following program components:

• Need for the proposed project
• Goals and objectives
• Activities/ Programs
• Evaluation
• Budget allocations

Members of the review committee will use the following rubric to select applications for funding:

General requirements: 

• Proposal narrative is restricted to the pages in the application with a total submission of no more than 10 pages
• All topics are to be identified with headings

Need for proposal (20 Points)

• Proposed program identifies the needs of the gifted learner and addresses the identified needs.
• Research supports that the program will significantly address the education of gifted students.
• Proposal summarizes the major outcomes the proposal will address.

Goals and Objectives (25 Points) 

• Proposal contains complete description of goals and objectives.
• Proposal explains how the goals and objectives address the stated need.
• Goals and objectives are reasonable and address the needs of gifted students.

Activities (30 Points) 

• Activities explain how the activities, program, and processes address the stated goals and objectives and meet the identified needs of the gifted learner.
• Proposal describes the outcomes anticipated from the program and they are consistent with NJ Administrative Code for Gifted Education.
• Proposal shows originality, innovation, creativity, and higher order thinking skills.

Evaluation (15 Points) 

• Proposal describes how project will be evaluated as related to student behaviors and products.
• Proposal describes the process used evaluate the program activities.
• Application describes how the proposal complements the school’s current G/T program.

Budget (10 Points)

• Costs are delineated and accurate, and details costs are included and are reasonable.
• Proposal contains a description of how budget items will help to carry out activities to address goals and objectives.