Division & Interest Group Enterprise and Challenge Awards: Call for Proposals

The Division and Interest Group Relations (DIGR) committee is now accepting proposals for the Division and Interest Group Enterprise and Challenge Awards.  This awards program seeks to encourage divisions and interest groups to develop innovative initiatives that promote and improve member services.  Divisions and interest groups may apply for grant funding through this awards program to assist in the initialization and development of such programs and services. 

Preference will be given to initiatives that:
•    Build communities of interest and/or learning
•    Expand member outreach beyond the annual meeting
•    Develop learning portals or knowledge repositories
•    Innovatively serve members in a virtual world

In keeping with the above, and in light of our membership statistics and survey results that make clear our growing size and diversity, we will especially be looking for 2009-2010 initiatives that a) create connections between members in new and sustained ways or b) embrace the use of new technologies to innovatively involve and serve members in a global association. 

Awards will be granted to proposals with descriptions that fit into the following categories:

Challenge Award
This award seeks to provide seed money for an initiative that is still in an early development stage.  (Divisions and interest groups receiving this type of funding are invited to apply for an Enterprise Award during the next award cycle with the understanding that there is no guarantee of additional funding.)

Enterprise Award
This award seeks to provide start-up funds for an  initiative that is ready to be implemented within the fiscal year.  Initiatives that will be considered for this award must have a clear plan developed and ready to be put into action.  (Divisions and interest groups need not have previously applied for or received Challenge Award funding in order to be considered)

Award Amounts
There is an award pool of $6,000 available to be applied to proposals in both the Challenge and Enterprise categories.  Amounts awarded under each category are based on the merit of the proposals in each respective category, and multiple divisions or interest groups may apply for and receive awards in either or both categories.   There is no minimum or maximum amount that may be awarded within each category as long as total funding distributions across both categories do not exceed $6,000.

Since the awards inception in 2004, the committee has reviewed an average of 3-4 proposals for each award category per year.  Actual award amounts have ranged from $300 - $2,000 per qualifying application.  The committee may opt to provide no award or adjust the award amounts in either category based on its review and judgment of the quality of the applications. 

Funding Restrictions
Funding will NOT be granted to any proposal, regardless of the merits of the initiative, if the specified use of funds falls into any of the following descriptions:
•    AOM membership fees
•    AOM registration fees or registration fees for any other similar conference
•    Scholarships of any kind
•    Food and beverage for receptions or social functions at the AOM meeting or any other conferences or social venues


How to Apply
Detailed criteria for each award follows.  Proposals must be e-mailed (no hard copies please) by November 15, 2009 to Kerry Ignatz, Member Services Manager ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  Proposals will be reviewed by the Division and Interest Group Relations Committee (DIGR).  Awards will be announced by December 15, 2009.  Funding for both the Enterprise and Challenge Awards will be made within one week after the start of the fiscal year (January 1st).

Please note that proposals most likely to be funded will contain:
•    a detailed budget
•    a specific funding amount request
•    a clearly described action plan

Please also remember that proposals which request funding for receptions/social events or other food and beverage at the Academy Annual Meeting or traditional PDW sessions will not be considered for either award.


Challenge Award

Purpose
To provide seed money to a division or interest group for a new initiative or program, which is still in an early development stage, that will enhance or improve member services for its members.

Awards will be made on the merits of the proposal as determined by the DIGR Committee.  The award winning division(s) or interest group(s) will receive their full award added to their operating budget within a week after the start of the fiscal year (January 1st). 

A report outlining the progress made with the initiative or program is expected no later than November 15th  of the award year.

Requirements for Challenge Award

Proposals no more than two (2) pages in length should include:

•    Description of the new initiative or program and the steps needed for implementation.  This must be a new initiative or program, not a continuation of an existing program. 
•    Description of benefits to division members and the broader membership of the Academy of Management
•    Estimated total cost of the new initiative or program including a detailed budget, the specific amount requested for this award, and any other funding being used.
•    Rationale for the amount being requested
•    Action plan detailing clear goals for initiating the new program
•    Description of the measurable outcomes of the above-mentioned new initiative or program
•    Estimated date of implementation

Follow-Up 
Award winning divisions and interest groups are required to submit a report outlining the progress made with the initiative or program by November 15 of the award year.  Progress reports should be e-mailed to Kerry Ignatz ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and will be reviewed by the DIGR committee.



Enterprise Award

Purpose
To provide a division or interest group with the necessary funding to launch an initiative or program which enhances or improves services and/or opportunities for its members.  The initiative or program must be well developed, have a detailed plan in place, and be ready for implementation in the award year. 

The Award will be made on the merits of the new initiative or program as determined by the DIGR Committee.  The award winning division(s) or interest group(s) will receive their full award added to their operating budget within a week after the start of the new fiscal year (January 1st).

A report outlining the progress made with the initiative or program is expected no later than November 15th of the award year.

Requirements for Enterprise Award

Proposals no more than two (2) pages in length should include:

•    Description of the new initiative or program to be undertaken during the fiscal year following notification of the award to enhance or improve services and/or opportunities for division members.  (An exception to this requirement that the initiative be new is when the Enterprise Award proposal comes from a Division or Interest Group who, in addition to meeting all criteria stated below, has previously received a Challenge Award and can clearly demonstrate the steps taken to prepare the initiative for immediate implementation.)
•    Description of the benefits to division members and the broader membership of the Academy of Management.
•    Estimated total cost of the new initiative or program including a detailed budget, the specific amount requested for this award, and any other funding being used.
•    Rationale for the amount being requested
•    A detailed action plan which demonstrates the new initiative’s readiness for implementation
•    Description of the measurable outcomes of the above-mentioned new initiative or program.
•    Estimated date of implementation (no later than December 31st of the award year).


Follow-Up 
Award winning divisions and interest groups are required to submit a report outlining the progress made with the initiative or program by November 15 of the award year.  Progress reports should be e-mailed to Kerry Ignatz ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and will be reviewed by the DIGR committee.