Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grants

Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grants (DMEG)

The Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation has provided funding for the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) to award grants for projects designed to develop mathematical enrichment programs for students who show promise or interest in middle school or high school. The goal of the program is to interest students who are ready for more challenge in the study of mathematics and encourage them to further their mathematical studies.

Proposals are sought from college and university mathematical sciences faculty establishing projects that actively engage middle or high school students beyond the standard curriculum, possibly working in partnership with middle or high school math teachers. Interested middle and high school teachers are strongly encouraged to seek out college and university mathematic sciences faculty in the formulation of proposals to benefit middle and high school students. The Foundation is particularly interested in projects originating from the middle or high schools. Proposed projects may replicate existing successful projects, adapt components of such projects, or be new. View Recent DMEG Awards here.

Objectives

Projects should provide enrichment and extension activities for students which lead to heightened interest in and appreciation of mathematics. The projects should encourage students to continue studies of mathematics in high school and college and should better prepare them for those studies. Projects are designed to provide active enrichment activities, beyond classroom coursework, for students who show promise or interest in mathematics and are not intended for remedial help for students who need assistance in order to succeed in their coursework in mathematics.  Projects must be open to all students who show promise or interest in the applicant pool.  Undergraduate and graduate students may provide role models and work directly with students under the tutelage of faculty from both the college or university and middle or high school. Participating in the DMEG Projects should benefit graduate, college, and pre-college students.

Active engagement in doing mathematics and mentoring of each student participant are essential features. Students should be made aware of career opportunities in mathematics and mathematically intensive disciplines.

Projects should be conducted over a sufficient period of time to engage student participants in learning and applying new and interesting mathematics that they will not otherwise encounter in their classes. Projects may be conducted during summer, during the school year, on weekends, or after school. The Dolciani Halloran Foundation funding may be used to supplement existing enrichment programs in order to increase the number of students participating in those programs or may be used to initiate new projects. Program funding is restricted to activities that are not typically part of school budgets.

Sample Projects

• Organize a club for middle school or high school students interested in mathematics or mathematics and science
• Develop a Math Circle for middle or high school students
• Conduct a summer mathematics camp for middle and/or high school students
• Establish a program for college/university undergraduate and/or graduate students to mentor middle or high school students working on mathematics projects or competitions
• Organize a speaker series for middle or high school students on mathematical enrichment topics and career opportunities using mathematics
• Actively engage mathematically promising or interested students in a way they have not been in school
• Organize a project that connects promising or interested students with a problem based on real applications in industry

Nature of the Grant

Grants will be up to $5000 and will be made to the college or university of the project director for a one-year project. However, short-term events (one to three days) are generally limited to $2,500. An institution is expected to supply in-kind support as an indication of commitment to the project; these grants will not support any institutional indirect costs or provide fringe benefits. Any matching funds available should be described in the proposal and included in the budget justification. To provide maximum flexibility, unexpended funds may be carried forward with approval. Some grants may be renewed up to a maximum of three total years of funding. Projects that have received previous funding must include a report on outcomes of the project.

Who May Apply

Applications will be accepted from college and university mathematical sciences faculty at accredited U.S. (including U.S. Territory), or Canadian AUCC-member institutions. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate a partnership with secondary or middle school mathematics faculty that is appropriate for the project. Either the middle or high school teachers or the college or university faculty may initiate the project and teachers are encouraged to develop ideas and to contact colleagues at a nearby two- or four-year college or university to work collaboratively. However, a college or university must be the fiscal agent. The application period for the 2020-21 academic year is now closed.  Applicants can expect to hear if they if they have been awarded by the end of March.

Find answers to some of our most commonly asked questions here.  

Characteristics of Effective Projects

While projects will have a high degree of variability, there are some characteristics which effective projects will share:

• Distinct, fresh, and innovative
• Target middle or high school students who are highly motivated or show promise;
• Clearly articulated and measurable project objectives;
• Strong academic component beyond the standard K-12 curriculum, with a focus on enrichment;
• Actively engage students in the activity and in mathematics;
• A clearly defined activity that engages students in the process, structured in a way to have a positive impact on the student;
• Highly competent project team;
• Provide information on careers that use mathematics extensively in a way that will encourage students to pursue mathematical study;
• Use of appropriate role models;
• Institutional commitment.

Projects may also include mentoring of student participants, involvement of parents, teachers, and counselors, or a peer support system. Please read our DMEG testimonials here.

Submission of Proposals

The Mary P. Dolciani Halloran Foundation has provided funding for the MAA to award grants for programs designed to encourage pursuit and enjoyment of mathematics among middle school and/or high school students. A proposal for a project may be submitted to only one of the following MAA grant programs in a given year: the DMEG program; the Tensor SUMMA program; or the Tensor Women and Mathematics program. If submitted to multiple programs, the MAA and Project Directors will reject the project from all but one. Multiple proposals from the same department or institution (each for a different project and with a different project team) may be submitted to the same grant program in the same year.

Application Instructions

Applications for this program will be accepted beginning November 1st. During the course of the application procedure, you will be asked to provide the following information:

• The title of the project, name and contact information of project director and the name, position, and qualifications of other key project personnel.
• A brief summary of the proposed project that includes the specific types of activities proposed.
• A proposal narrative (as a file upload), which should not exceed three pages. It should address the following guidelines in the order listed:
  • Concept: Describe the mathematical and educational concepts and activities that form the basis for the project. Include a description of the activities, the frequency, how many students are expected to participate, how the project will attract students with talent or interest, how students will be selected, who will oversee the project, and who will lead the activities. Specify the intended audience and how participants will be recruited; projects must be open to all students who show promise or interest in mathematics. Provide details on the type of mathematics and topics covered and how students will be actively engaged.
  • Institutional Commitment: Describe the ways your institution will support the project and the potential for long-term continuation of the project. What is the likelihood of securing local or state funding after the initial DMEG funding?
  • Objectives: List the objectives and how they will be achieved by the project
  • Evaluation: Describe how you will judge the success of the project. If this project has run before, please provide details on the number of students, assessment of the project, and how the DMEG funds would be used to expand or enhance the project.
  • Timeline: Include a timeline of significant project activities.
• If a renewal, state the year or years that funding had previously been granted and upload a one-page summary of progress to date, and a budget summary of money expended to date.
• A budget. The budget form will have separate lines for personnel, materials, student support, and travel, and requires that you include a budget explanation for each line. If the budget exceeds $5000, please describe what portions of the budget DMEG is being asked to fund and how other budget items would be funded. Upload a letter from your department chair or other appropriate administrator indicating institutional support of the project.

2019 DMEG Awards

2018 DMEG Awards

Program Contacts

For additional information, please contact MAA Progams or Dolciani Mathematics Enrichment Grants Program Director Nancy Ann Neudauer.