The NCMA Education & Research Foundation welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers, educators and other professionals associated with the manufactured concrete masonry and hardscapes industries. Generally, proposals initiated by an individual are officially submitted by their employing organization. Graduate students are not encouraged to submit research proposals, but should arrange to serve as research assistants to faculty members. No person on the grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin, or disability shall be denied the benefits of financial assistance from the foundation.
Preference will be given for requests that provide national benefit first and regional benefit second; utilize funding partnerships with local and/or state groups and/or other national and international groups; utilize partnerships with other industries impacted by the results; and/or utilize matching funds arrangements.
Organizations whose chief purpose is to influence legislation or to participate or intervene in political campaigns on behalf of or against any candidate for public office; endowments or memorials; religious, veteran or fraternal organizations unless they are engaged in a significant project with national or regional benefit; construction or renovation projects; fundraising events; and proprietary projects or products not in concert with the mission of the foundation as determined by the board of trustees are NOT eligible for grants from the NCMA Research and Education Foundation.
How to Submit a Grant
All grant requests must include the following information:
- Project description;
- Project objective;
- Background information (what has been done in this area and why this work is unique);
- Scope of project to include what work is included in the project and what are the deliverables (report, video, presentation, etc);
- Summary of qualifications to include who will perform the work and how does their background qualify them for this task;
- Anticipated impact on a national level, regional level, and local level;
- Budget to include anticipated expenses;
- Requested payment procedure (start-up funds, one lump sum payment or several payments with last payment at completion of project);
- List of other funding sources specifying amounts, matching funds, etc.; and
- Reporting schedule: How will the ongoing progress of the project be reported? What is the time frame for project completion?
- Grant applications are limited to 15 pages in length, including charts, figures, and supporting documentation.
The NCMA Foundation awards grants twice a year at the Association’s Annual Meeting (February) and Midyear Meeting (August). Each grant proposal is reviewed by the Program Review Committee and evaluated on its individual merits, overall need to the industry and value to the industry. Each grant proposal is ranked based on the Program Review Committee’s evaluation and then Submitted to the Board of Trustees. The Board then approves or denies each grant based on the Review Committee’s recommendations. Once each grant is approved, an oversight team monitors the progress of the program or activity through completion.
It is the intent of the Foundation board of trustees that all requests for funding, financial support or grants follow a formal process of review:
- For additional information or to submit a funding request:
NCMA Education & Research Foundation
13750 Sunrise Valley Drive
Herndon, VA 20171
703.713.1900
703.713.1910 Fax
foundation@ncma.org - All requests are reviewed by the executive administrator to insure that the required information has been provided to include completion of the cover sheet. Additional information may be requested from the petitioner and/or other professionals.
- Following the initial review period, all requests are forwarded to members of the Program Review Committee for consideration at its next meeting. Meetings are generally held in the first and third quarter of each year at the NCMA Annual Convention and Midyear Meeting respectively.
- The Program Review Committee will review all requests, evaluating the relevance to the foundation’s mission statement and initiatives as established by the membership. Members of the Program Review Committee may request additional information from the requestor and/or other professionals with expertise in the project area.
- The Program Review Committee will submit its recommendation for funding to the foundation board of trustees who in turn will make the final determination for project funding.
- All funding requestors will receive notice of the final decision by the executive administrator in writing.
The following are guidelines on general follow-up and progress reports required for grants. It is recommended to address follow-up and progress reports within grant applications.
- If no progress on an approved project occurs within six months following the date of funding approval by the board of trustees, the grant may be rescinded;
- Progress reports will be required on a regular basis; and
- Failure to submit progress reports at requested intervals could result in payment delays.
The following questions are frequently asked by the Foundation’s Program Review Committee when reviewing grants. It is useful to keep these questions in mind when developing a grant request.
- Does the project address a major challenge facing the industry?
- Are the goals and objectives and the plans and procedures for achieving them, well-developed, worthwhile and realistic?
- Is the project informed by research in teaching and learning, current issues, what others have done, and relevant literature?
- Does the project have the potential to provide fundamental improvements in teaching and/or learning through effective uses of technology?
- Is the project led by and supported by the involvement of capable, trained professionals who have recent and relevant experience?
- Is the project supported by adequate facilities and resources and by an institutional and department commitment?
- What are the broader impacts of the proposed outcomes?
- To what extent will the results of the project contribute to the improvement of the industry as a whole?
- Are the plans for evaluation of the project appropriate and adequate?
- Are the results of the project likely to be useful nation-wide?
- Is all budget information included? Is it complete and unambiguous?
- Is the cost of the project realistic?
- How will the progress of the project be measured and reported?
- How will the requested funds be needed, i.e., will start-up funds be needed; how are payments requested?
Submission Deadlines
Midyear Meeting Deadline
May 1
Annual Meeting Deadline
November 1