2002 Award Application Cover Letter

October 10, 2001

We are pleased to announce that the ninth round of Initiatives for Women Awards will begin on January 23, the first day of the Spring 2002 semester. IFW awards, generally between $500 and $1,000, enhance the educational and career opportunities for women students, faculty, and staff. IFW awards also support any University person or group developing a program for the advancement of women or women's concerns.

Last year IFW granted 37 awards totaling over $27,000. There are many ways IFW can help the women at our University achieve their educational and career goals. We, however, can't help them if they do not apply. We need your help. Please share this announcement with any other members of the University community who might be interested in applying - your office colleagues and staff, your students, any women who might benefit from a financial boost to meet her goals.

The IFW General Awards fund a variety of needs such as book money, summer childcare, health insurance, research travel, tuition assistance, speakers' fees, and training and development programs. Our Endowed Awards support a number of specific activities. Please review the descriptions of the endowed awards on the other side of this letter. If you meet the criteria of any of these awards, please consider applying this year. Please also pass on this information to others who should also apply for an IFW award.

IFW applications will be available on January, 23. Applications will be due on March 4, 2002, the Monday after Spring Break. We will run three application preparation workshops in February. Workshop times and places will be listed in the application packets and on the IFW Web Site. If you or someone you know has questions about the IFW application process, please contact us. We would be happy to tell you more about this great opportunity for the women on campus.

Thank you for helping us spread the news about IFW. We look forward to receiving a record number of applications this year.

2002 Award Application Packet

Who Can Apply
1. Any person or group affiliated with the University at Albany and supporting the advancement of women or women's concerns at the University may apply. However, financial need alone is not sufficient to guarantee an award. Awards are very competitive, and applicants must put forth complete, well documented proposals.

2. You need to be a current student or employee both at the time the award is given (Summer 2002) and when the award will be used (for expenses incurred in the following semesters: Spring, Summer, Fall 2002 or Spring 2003).

More Information
Workshops on how to write a successful application will be held four times in the East Seminar Room (LE-G61) in the New Library Building. Attend one of these sessions:

Tuesday, Feb 5 from 11:15am to 12:15pm
Wednesday, Feb 6 from 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Thursday, Feb 7 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm
Monday, Feb 11 from 12:15pm to 1:15pm

Student IFW Applicant Information Cover Sheet
Faculty/Staff IFW Employee Applicant Information Cover Sheet

Read through the information provided about the Initiatives For Women awards. If you decide to apply, you will need to compile a full application including:

• cover sheet: a completed, typewritten or very neatly hand-written, cover sheet. Choose the Student IFW Applicant Information Cover Sheet or the Faculty/Staff IFW Employee Applicant Information Cover Sheet (or both if applicable). Download the cover sheet file(s) from the IFW web site if you wish to word process your cover sheet.
  On your cover sheet (for employee or student) indicate for which category (or categories) you are applying. You may apply in every category for which you are eligible.
• goals and plan letter: a one- to two-page letter addressed to the IFW Awards Committee stating your career goals or your group's aims, explaining how you plan to attain these goals, and telling how the IFW award would help you achieve those goals. Demonstrate clearly how your needs match the intention of the IFW award and how you are qualified for the award(s) for which you apply.
• letters of recommendation: two letters of recommendation, not from family or close friends. Faculty members, supervisors, or work colleagues are the most desirable letter writers. These letters should reflect on you. They are used to learn more about you. Letters should be from people in your recent life, especially at the University at Albany. Your letters must be included in your full application and need not
  be confidential. Do not have your letters mailed separately.
• spending plan: a budget sheet itemizing your anticipated needs, along with justification for each item. List specifically how much money you are requesting and for what it will be used. Be as explicit as possible. Do not underestimate or inflate your needs. The request for funding should reflect what you're doing. State how the IFW award relates to your entire need, and how any remaining costs will be covered. Remember that IFW awards generally range from $500 to $1000. Only two awards are given at the $2,500 level; these are specifically designated for Ph.D. students.
• résumé or curriculum vitae: an up-to-date listing of your education, work, and service activities. Students must include their grade point average (GPA). You should show where you are in your program. Group applicants should submit bylaws or mission statements, last annual financial statement, and proof of qualification as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• You should type all materials and review them to eliminate any errors. Make sure your application is complete (including your letters of reference) and in order. Follow the directions given in "How to Assemble Your Application."

The application deadline is Monday, March 4, 2002.
Mail or turn in your application to:

Ms Kathy Turek, Co-Chair
IFW Selection Committee
New Library Building LE-G54
University at Albany
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany NY 12222

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