Graduate Initiative Fund Guidelines

Purpose and Overview

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) recognizes the profound importance of providing opportunities for graduate students to be able to gather in community with one another, for the purpose of holistic wellness and development. As such, GSA is proposing a Graduate Initiative Fund (GIF) with funding support from the Student Involvement Center (SIC), to provide graduate students the ability to engage in meaningful experiences to promote a sense of belonging, education, professional and/or skill development.

**Please note that individual students are not eligible for the GIF (such funds already exist and are explained in detail on GSA’s website). This fund is for graduate student groups only.

Eligibility Requirements

The proposal must be an opportunity accessible to any graduate student enrolled at Saint Louis University (SLU), and satisfy a minimum of three (3) of the below criteria. Proposals should also not duplicate efforts of existing organizations or departments within the University community. Please note that the maximum award is $1000, but that does not mean that every accepted proposal will receive the full award.

Programming criterion: Proposals must satisfy a minimum of three of the criteria below:

● Supports the holistic development of attendees, including mind, body and spirit.

● Provides opportunity for attendees to learn and/or explore a new concept, tradition, culture, etc.

● Works to elevate or promote the mental well-being of attendees.

● Provides professional development opportunities in the form of networking, skill building, or other means.

● Is a collaboration with an existing campus unit or department, providing support to graduate students.

● Encourages social engagement and interaction among students not otherwise available.

● Aligns with and embraces the mission of GSA and/or the mission of Saint Louis University. 

Application Process

Applications for the GSA GIF are open to any currently enrolled graduate students, and must be accompanied by a graduate student co-sponsor. The Executive Board of GSA will review the application materials, and the proposal will be approved with a ⅔ vote of the Executive Board. The proposal sponsor(s) will be notified of GSA’s decision. If the vote is in favor of the program, sponsor(s) will also be notified of next steps for planning, execution, and spending their allocation.

By submitting a proposal for consideration, the event sponsor(s) agree to the following terms:

● Applications will not be considered for events which have already occurred (i.e. as an reimbursement for already incurred expenses).

● Initiatives should not be duplicative of things which have already occurred, or are otherwise already available to graduate students.

● The proposal should be received a minimum of ten (10) business days prior to the intended event date. Review will not be expedited due to late planning. As such, sponsor(s) should also be prepared with alternative event dates.

● If approved, event sponsor(s) will be referred to the staff in the SIC to begin planning the event, including but not limited to space reservation, set-up, ordering of supplies/catering, etc. Funds will not be issued directly to the sponsor(s) but they will work alongside SIC staff to access funds.

● All spending must be in compliance with University business and finance policies.

● Because individual students are not able to make room reservations, the SIC will serve as the official event sponsor.

● Approved proposals must be open to all graduate students. Proposals which restrict the audience or attendees will not be supported.

● Due to limited funds and the GIF being a pilot program, sponsor(s) will not be eligible to receive approval for multiple proposals.

Proposals must include:

● Completed application

○ Names and contact information of two event sponsor(s)

○ Line item budget of anticipated expenses, not to exceed $1000.

■ If quotes were received to support budget creation, they should be included

○ Indication of criteria in support of proposed initiative

○ Brief explanation of how the proposed initiative supports criteria

○ Proposed marketing/publicity plan

Here is an example of a successful GIF application: