Questions Regarding Application Process

When are applications due?

Applications must be MAILED by the deadline . All applications should be received within a few weeks of that time allowing for foreign mail delivery.

When does the funding start?

Funding is generally available in July, the year following receipt of the completed application form.

How long is the grant good for?

We prefer that grants begin in June and finish the following May. We realize, however, that circumstances such as planting seasons, migration and temperatures, etc. may make this 12 month time frame inadvisable. The Foundation does not want time constraints to affect the validity of a project and/or its findings.

When will I know if my project has been selected for funding?

Applicants are MAILED letters of notification during the year, but no later than April 15 of the year following submission. Those selected to received grants are generally notified by telephone a few days prior.

How are the applications reviewed?

We have a 5-level review process: (1) The Foundation staff reviews the applications for completeness and general appropriateness. (2) Remaining applications are then sent for 2 "balance reviews". This review panel, made up of members of our Board of Directors, staff, and former recipients of our grants, answers a two-part question on their review form, "Does this project seek to promote a balance by improving the quality of life through a balance between nature and technology? Why or why not?" (3) Those applications receiving at least one positive balance review go on to the technical review portion of the process. This panel, which would be considered the "peer review" portion of the process, focuses on evaluation of the more technical portion of the application. Each application receives 3-4 reviews at this level, with scores out of 100. These scores are averaged, and the top 25-30 go on to the 4th level of review. (4) The grants committee of the Foundation's Board of Directors reviews the top applications and selects approximately 8-10 projects for funding. (5) The full Board acts on the Committee's recommendation at its meeting.

How many applications do you receive in a year? How many are funded?

The average over the past few years has been 200. We generally award 8-10 grants each year.