Application Deadline

Applications for funding in the 2013-2014 academic year are due by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, October 30, 2012.

To apply

• Please review all eligibility and application process information before proceeding.
• If you have not already done so, create an account using your umn.edu e-mail address through our registration page. If you created an account in previous years, you may use the same account, and you can request a password reminder from the login page. If you create a new account:
  • A confirmation e-mail will be send to the e-mail @umn.edu address you used to register. Follow the link in this confirmation e-mail message.
  • The confirmation link in the e-mail you receive will log you in and take you to your new account page, where you will be asked to create a password.
  • After saving your new password, return to this page to continue.
• Follow the apply link below, from the home page, or from the left sidebar to begin your application.
• Only when you chose to submit your application at the end of the application form will it be routed to the awards committee for review. Once submitted, you will no longer be able to make changes to your application.
• When submitting your proposal for review, please wait for a confirmation page to appear indicating that your proposal has been submitted. If required fields are missing, you will see a warning message instead, and your proposal will not be saved until the form is successfully submitted.
• A confirmation e-mail including a link to your application will be e-mailed to you when your application is submitted.
• We currently expect applicants to be notified of their award status on 22 January 2013.

Tips for crafting a strong proposal

Crafting a strong proposal is a key step in winning an Imagine Fund Annual Award. The awards committee must review hundreds of proposals, most of which involve research outside each committee member’s area of expertise. Here are a few tips to help you craft a proposal so that it can be evaluated quickly, accurately, and fairly.

1. Be sure to write for a non-specialist. Keep your application’s purpose clear and simple.
2. Your budget matters. Be sure you have thought through all your budget items. The budget should be detailed and realistic. Include justification or rationale for any budget items where need is not self-evident. If including travel in your budget, be specific and use the University per diem rate.
3. Do not include your name or links to sources that clearly identify you in the body of your proposal. (Titles of publications, however, are appropriate.)
4. Be both innovative and consistent with the aims of the Imagine Fund. Keep in mind that the Imagine Fund supports arts, design, and the humanities. So, if your project relies on methods that are quantitative, ethnographic, or experimental be sure to specify how the project furthers work in the arts, design, and humanities.
5. Review the Example Proposals page to see examples of successful, well-crafted proposals.

Helpful hints

• Given the length limitations for each question, it may help to prepare your answers in advance of visiting the application page. Your prepared responses may be copied and pasted into the application form. The application questions and length limits are listed on the main Annual Awards page and at the beginning of the application form.
• Applications must be submitted on or before 5:00 p.m. Central Time on the published deadline date.
• For questions on awards policy, timelines, or application procedures, contact Emily Ronning at ronn0044@umn.edu.
• For technical assistance or if you are having trouble with the web-based application, contact Gabe Ormsby at gormsby@umn.edu.