Bemidji State University will host a grant-writing workshop by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health in April that aims to help university and health professionals develop more competitive grant proposals.
The April 26-27 University Vision Design Capacity workshop at BSU’s American Indian Resource Center is part of the DHHS Higher Education Technical Assistance Project. The project helps higher education institutions share resource-development strategies, regional health data and health-disparities research while creating opportunities for community engagement and networking. Grant-writing workshops are one of the project’s three strategies for developing capacity in under-served populations.
The workshop is free of charge and funds are available to reimburse travel expenses, but attendance will be limited to 35 and interested participants should register as early as possible.
The two-day, hands-on workshop is intended for junior faculty, staff and college or university health professionals who are interested in community-based participatory research; committed to working with underserved populations; and want to build their institution’s capacity to compete for and receive competitive grant awards. During the 2017 fiscal year, the workshop was found to be highly effective at increasing the knowledge and confidence of participants to pursue grant funding.
The workshop is coming to Bemidji State through the efforts of Dr. Misty Wilkie, associate professor of nursing. She says the workshop will benefit anyone looking for the skill and knowledge to help improve their institutions or communities through grant-funded initiatives.
“The workshop will provide valuable information to help grant writers develop more competitive proposals for federal grants,” she said. “In the end, this workshop can help institutions and communities take advantage of opportunities to pursue grant funding for their projects.”
Wilkie says the limited attendance at the workshop is meant to ensure those who attend can receive the maximum benefit.
“The attendance cap helps provide more one-on-one help to those who need it,” she said.
The workshop is a rare opportunity for grant writers to pursue this free training in Minnesota. Across the country, the Office of Minority Health has held this workshop only nine times, and just one previous time in Minnesota. Other upcoming workshops are scheduled in New Orleans and Nashville.
“I’m most looking forward to the opportunities to host the tribal communities and colleges in our area,” Wilkie said. “We want to grow that connection and show that we can grow our communities together. Plus, I’m proud of our campus. It will be good for other community organizations to see what we have to offer.”
Calendar
April 26-27 – University Vision Design Capacity workshop, federal grant-writing training from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, at Bemidji State University. Workshop is free of charge with funds available to reimburse travel expenses. Capacity capped at 35 participants. Location: American Indian Resource Center, Bemidji State University, Bemidji. Information: (218) 755-2715.
CONTACT
- Dr. Misty Wilkie, associate professor of nursing; (218) 755-2715; mwilkie@bemidjistate.edu
LINKS
Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding.
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