Fall 2020
To: Deans, Department Chairs, Program Directors, Registered Student Organizations
From: Paola Hernández, Chair, Kemper K. Knapp Bequest Committee
The Kemper K. Knapp Bequest Committee is soliciting proposals for special projects taking place in the 2021-2022 academic year. We recognize that with the ongoing concerns of COVID-19 some projects that would normally apply for Kemper K. Knapp grants may end up being postponed or switched to virtual formats. If you submit a proposal and end up needing an extension or to make other changes, please email admin@secfac.wisc.edu with any questions.
Knapp grants are usually in the range of $500 to $5,000. According to the terms of the original bequest, the committee favors projects that cross departmental lines and have an impact on the educational and cultural life of the university community, particularly projects that benefit undergraduate students. Knapp funds are not often used for purposes that can and should be supported elsewhere, such as from regular grants or research funding, from fees charged for performances, or from the regular university budget. Nor is the committee inclined to support exhibitions or lectures because other campus committees (e.g., Anonymous Fund Committee, Lectures Committee) have them as a central funding target. The committee encourages registered student organizations to apply, but departmental/program co-sponsorship is required.
When considering requests for funds, the committee keeps in mind the spirit of the will of Kemper K. Knapp. Included is the following language:
“In general it is my wish that such funds be used for purposes outside the regular curriculum of the university . . . to cultivate in the student body ideals of honesty, sincerity, earnestness, tolerance, and social and political obligations.”
How to Apply for Funds
This fall, the Knapp Committee will consider applications for projects taking place during the next (2021-2022) academic year. The deadline for applications is Friday, November 6, 2020. Please submit your application as a single pdf document to the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty at admin@secfac.wisc.edu. Applicants should be aware that funds are limited.
Please note that the committee has already distributed awards for the current (2020-2021) academic year. However, in circumstances that necessitate taking advantage of special opportunities, the committee will consider applications for projects occurring in the spring semester of the current academic year.
The committee will notify all applicants of its decision by the start of the spring semester (mid-January).
In your application, be as brief and straightforward as possible. A complete application will be a single pdf of the following items in the order below:
- A cover letter from the department chair or person principally responsible for the project;
- A description of the project that answers the following seven questions (under usual circumstances, two to three pages is adequate):
- What is the basic plan of the proposed project?
- Why is this an important project and how will it reach members of the university community?
- How will it enrich its intended audience, especially undergraduate students?
- Who is involved?
- Which university departments or programs will participate in the project?
- Is this a new project or one that the Knapp Bequest or other university sources have supported in the past?
- Will other funding sources be expected to share costs
- The budget page and a statement indicating when funds will be needed. Identify all project expenses and list all sources of funding, pending and already awarded. Requests to fund the purchase of large equipment must be justified. If the project involves the purchase of food, be aware that the Knapp Committee will not generally fund this type of expense without compelling justification. Each proposal should address the question of how the project would be affected if the Knapp request and/or other requests were denied or reduced in amount. If attempts to obtain other support have already been made and denied, please include this information in a cover letter or elsewhere in the proposal;
- A brief vitae (not more than one page) of the director of the project;
- Two or three letters of support, including one from the department or program chair if different from the project director as identified above.
We look forward to hearing from you. If you have questions about any of the above instructions, please direct them to the Office of the Secretary of the Faculty (262-3956; admin@secfac.wisc.edu)
[The Kemper K. Knapp Bequest Committee comprises faculty members from all four divisions and the chancellor or the chancellor’s designee.]
Paola Hernández (chair)
Andrea Arpaci-Dusseau
Mindi Thompson
Heather Schlesser
Mark Guthier (Chancellor’s designee)
Application Checklist
_____Cover letter from department chair or person principally responsible for the project
_____Description of the project (2-3 pages) including:
_____Basic plan of the proposed project
_____Why is it important? How will it reach members of the university community?
_____How will it enrich its audience, especially undergraduate students?
_____Who is involved?
_____Which university departments or programs will participate?
_____Is this a new project?
– or –
_____Has this project been supported by the Knapp Bequest or other university source in the past?
_____Are there other funding sources?
_____Detailed Budget page including all expenses and all sources of funding
_____Statement indicating when funds will be needed
_____One-page vita of the director of the project
_____Two to three letters of support