BACKGROUND

The WiSys Ambassador Program enhances the vital connection between WiSys and the UW regional campus. Engaging excellent students to serve as WiSys Ambassadors brings a new dimension to WiSys' outreach mission and augments WiSys’ visibility and presence among researchers and students on each of the campuses we serve. This in turn builds the culture of research and innovation on campus and provides a vital link to WiSys programs and resources. 

The WiSys Ambassador Grant Program (“Ambassador Grant”) aims to connect WiSys with the research community more directly by supporting summer research programs that engage WiSys Ambassadors. 

The Ambassador Grant is designed to help WiSys Ambassadors advance their knowledge and skills as young researchers. The Ambassador Grant provides awards up $4,500/project to hire a WiSys Ambassador for a summer research program. Funds awarded may be used for implementation and completion of short- term projects or to advance long-term projects the Ambassador(s) have been undertaking with the guidance of a faculty mentor.

A named award has been developed for the 2020 program, PPG has partnered with WiSys to support one Ambassador working on a project in the field of Chemistry or Materials Science. This student will be recognized as the “PPG WiSys Student Ambassador”. The application process for this award remains the same and the recipient will be selected by WiSys alongside other recipients that are selected for funding within the overall grant program.

General Program Details:
  

1. Eligible projects will be funded by WiSys up to $4500/project proposal; limit of one award/ambassador/call.

2. Applicants must obtain approval from their faculty mentor to apply to this program.

3. Funds can be used as salary for the WiSys Ambassador researcher and for supplies and expenses; up to $4,000 is allowed for student salary* and up to $500 is allowed for supplies and expenses. Salary for faculty will not be considered in this program. *Fringe Benefits are provided for UW System students listed in the application form. If awarded, Fringe Benefits will be covered by the GPR Fringe Benefit Pool and will be automatically transferred by UW System directly. Therefore, funds for Fringe Benefits should NOT be included in the salary requested nor should they be included within the $4,500 budget.

4. Indirect funds are not allowed in this program. Funds must be used by the end of the 2020 fall semester. 

5. Applicants must follow each campus’ internal grant submission and approval process and use the WiSys Ambassador Grant application form provided below for their project proposal. Project Proposals should not exceed 2 pages in length. Applicants should use the Proposal Narrative template provided below.

6. Applicants must have been employed for at least one semester as a WiSys Ambassador and remain in good standing to be eligible for this program.

7. Proposals will be scored based upon clarity of project milestones, development timeline, unmet need/target market, and evidence of project feasibility and/or preliminary data.

A final report must be submitted not later than 6 weeks after the completion date of the project. A WiSys team member will be in touch with successful applicants regarding reporting requirements.
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The following files will need to be downloaded, completed and uploaded to your application form:
1.  Project Narrative Form

Contact Tony Hanson at regionalassociate@wisys.org to learn more about this program.