Proposals are now being accepted for academic year 2009-10

The Wayne Morse Center awards project grants each year to support community organizations, university faculty and departments, and student organizations. Awards are given to projects that stimulate and support educational events related to the Center’s current or upcoming theme of inquiry. Past awards have provided funding for new courses, conferences, symposia, community events, student projects and youth education. The maximum award is $10,000 though most awards range from $2,000 to $6,000. Deadline: Proposals are due by Noon on Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Objective: The objective of the Project Grant program is to stimulate and support educational community and university events related to the Wayne Morse Center theme of inquiry.

Wayne Morse Center Theme and Activities for 2009-2011: The Wayne Morse Center theme for the two academic years 2009-2011 is CLIMATE ETHICS AND CLIMATE EQUITY. The Wayne Morse Center themes are selected to advance interdisciplinary research and teaching at the UO and engage the broader public on critical issues. An interdisciplinary faculty committee provides guidance on the theme.

The inquiry into Climate Ethics and Climate Equity is intended to build on the broad discussion underway on climate change by focusing on its ethical dimensions and the myriad equity issues that local, regional, national and international communities will face. Dale Jamieson, Director of Environmental Studies, and Professor of Environmental Studies, Philosophy, and Law at New York University, will occupy the Wayne Morse Chair in fall 2009.

Priority focus topics within the broad theme include:
Our ethical responsibility to nature and nonhuman species and the role of science in the ethical discussion about climate change;

• Our responsibility to nature and other species;
• The role of science in the ethical discussion about climate change;
• Preserving the planet for future generations;
• Finding solutions that are equitable;
• Learning from indigenous approaches to environmental stewardship;
• Race and class equity and “green jobs” as anti-poverty policy;
• The role of morality and religion in confronting climate change;
• Legal forums and policies that will be needed to deal with ethical and equity dimensions of climate change.
  

Project grant applicants can propose activities that complement or supplement the focus topics described above. The theme of inquiry is broad and is intended to include topics and issues from many community perspectives and academic disciplines.

Eligibility and Stipend: The Project Grant program is open to community organizations (including nonprofits and schools), qualified community individuals, university faculty and staff, university departments and programs, and student organizations.

Awarded funds may be used for program expenses, honoraria, summer support, and faculty release time.

A wide variety of projects has been funded in the past including new classes, workshops, art exhibits, conferences, etc. Past awards can be viewed on the Project Grant page at www.waynemorsecenter.uoregon.edu

Duties and Conditions:

1. Projects must be related to the upcoming theme of inquiry, Climate Ethics and Climate Equity.
2. Projects must impact the University and/or the local Eugene community.
3. Projects must commence no earlier than July 1, 2009 and complete no later than June 30, 2010.
4. Projects must be independently administered. The Wayne Morse Center MAY be able to offer limited assistance for planning, administration, logistics and publicity. Proposals should be explicit in the amount of support that will be requested of the Wayne Morse Center.
5. Details of project events (dates, times, locations, speakers, etc.) will be provided to the Wayne Morse Center as early as possible, preferably three months prior to the event.
6. Include The Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics as a supporter on all printed materials and websites.
7. Within a month of completion of all work associated with the grant we request that you submit a report to the Wayne Morse Center including a description of how the money was used, an explanation of the funded activities, and a summary of the goals achieved through the grant.

Selection Process: The Selection Committee consists of community activities and interdisciplinary university faculty and staff drawn from the following committees: the Wayne Morse Center Advisory Board; the Wayne Morse Center’s Climate Ethics and Climate Equity Planning Committee, and current Resident Scholars.

The Wayne Morse Center seeks to fund a variety of projects that most effectively examine the theme as well as balance the impact to the community and/or the interdisciplinary university. The following criteria are considered:

• Pertinence to the broad theme and relationship to other
  Wayne Morse Center activities;
• Feasibility of the project;
• Capacity of the individual or organization to complete the project;
• Strength of any links between the community and the university; and the Value of the project to students and faculty and level of student involvement.

The selection committee may request additional information from applicants. Successful project applicants will be notified of selection in February 2009.

Application Process: Proposals must be written in language accessible to readers from several disciplines. The complete application should include the following parts:

1. Cover letter that includes a summary of the project, the amount of the request, and contact information for applicants.
2. Description of the project (800 word maximum). Describe the nature of the project, proposed speakers, target audience, publicity, volunteers and/or staff who will complete the project, and other relevant information. Please indicate if there are cosponsors and the timelines for planning and executing the project.
3. Budget and Grant Request. Please include a budget for the project and the amount requested from the Wayne Morse Center. Please indicate other sources of support and any cosponsors. Be sure to include expenses for outreach and publicity. Please indicate the amount of support that will be asked of the Wayne Morse Center for administration, publicity, or other tasks.
4. Statement of qualifications and/or vita (resumes limited to 2 pages per person). Please describe your qualifications and capacity to carry out the project. University applicants should demonstrate departmental support for the project. Proposals should address links between the university and community. Short vita or resumes may be included.

Application submission: Mail or deliver the original and seven (7) collated and stapled copies (double-sided copies are encouraged) of the complete application packet to:

The Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics
220 Knight Law Center
1221 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon, 97403

Deadline: Proposals are due by Noon on Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Please direct questions to Margaret Hallock, Director (346-3699 or hallock@uoregon.edu) or Elizabeth Weber, Administrator (346-3700 or eweber@uoregon.edu). For general information about the Wayne Morse Center, visit www.waynemorsecenter.uoregon.edu.