Foundation Mission Statement
The mission of the NCMA
Education and Research Foundation is to advance and support the
concrete masonry industry and the public interest through
research and education programs designed to meet the future needs
of the industry. This will be accomplished through the following
initiatives:
- Workforce
Development -- supporting programs to insure an
adequate supply of a well-trained workforce for the
future growth of the concrete masonry industry;
- Codes
and Standards Research -- supporting industry research and
technical studies for codes and standards; and
- Architectural
and Engineering Student Curriculum -- supporting programs that
educate the public, members of the industry, and
architectural and engineering students and professors.
Working cooperatively with other
organizations and educational institutions, the foundation will
fund multi-faceted education and research programs. The
foundation will function as a resource development and
grant-making organization and not an implementing one.
Eligibility
The foundation welcomes
proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers, educators and
other professionals associated with the concrete masonry
industry. 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.
Ineligibility
- 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;
- Fund-raising events; and
- Proprietary projects or
products not in concert with the mission of the
foundation as determined by the board of trustees.
When To Submit A Request
The foundation accepts
requests at any time.
Required Information
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?
Approval Preferences
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.
Review Process
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
877.343.6268 Toll-free
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 a 30-day 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; however, if the
submission is time-sensitive, the Program Review
Committee may convene via conference call to rule on an
application.
- 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.
- The board of trustees will
rule on the committee’s recommendation at the next
meeting. Meetings are generally held in the first and
third quarter of each year at the NCMA annual convention
and midyear meeting respectively; however, if the
submission is time-sensitive, the board of trustees may
convene via conference call to rule on an application.
- All funding requestors will
receive notice of the final decision by the executive
administrator in writing.
Grant Follow-Up Requirements
- 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.
Questions Frequently Asked by the Program
Review Committee
- 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?
