Unidata Community Equipment Awards
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I obtain assistance from the program center in defining the hardware requirements for my proposed activity?

Yes. We encourage proposers to get assistance with their hardware requirements by writing to support-egrants@unidata.ucar.edu

2. Does my proposal have to meet all of the criteria listed?

No. Proposers should address as many of the criteria as they see fit.

3. Are there any unallowable costs?

Yes. Staff time, travel, furniture for housing hardware, and other miscellaneous costs are unallowable.

Note: The Community Equipment Award program was not designed to fund classroom infrastructure equipment such as projectors, laptop computers. While these types of expenses will be considered, they will be scrutinized against the proposal criteria to ensure that the proposals are cost effective and purchases have merit beyond upgrading a classroom.

4. What costs are acceptable?

Cost of hardware and necessary software will be considered.

5. Is co-sponsorship by the university mandatory?

No. While co-sponsorship (such as staff time to maintain the equipment, infrastructure upgrades to install the system, waivers of indirect costs, etc.) is viewed as a positive sign that the University is committed to the endeavor, co-sponsorship is not a requirement.
Where co-sponsorship is available, proposers should list it in a separate budget column.

6. Can I renegotiate the budget?

No. Once the panel has made its selection and recommendation for award level, and the Unidata Program Director has approved and notified the proposer, it is not possible to change the final award amount. It is therefore, extremely important that proposers include all relevant costs such as overhead and University or fund transfer fees. Unidata can not increase the award level after an award letter has been sent even if it means the proposer may have to turn down the award. There will be no exceptions to this policy.

7. Does the 20K limit include an institution's co-sponsorship?   

No.  The 20K limit applies only to the amount requested from the Unidata Community Equipment Award program.

8. Is there a maximum page length?

Yes.  10 pages is the maximum for the proposal body. 

9. What format should I send my proposal in?

Aside from 8 paper copies, we require one copy in Word or PDF format emailed to the contact provided.