Background

The Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC) at The University Iowa supports and conducts environmental health research and education activities. CHEEC’s mission is to determine the levels of environmental contamination which can be specifically associated with human health effects. Further information on CHEEC goals, research and educational activities is available at http://cheec.uiowa.edu/about.

CHEEC Education Grants provide funding for educational programs that encompass the broad interdisciplinary nature of environmental health. The Grant Program seeks a wide audience of Iowans - including adult or school-age participants. Education programs with a public health or an environmental education focus that demonstrate a link to environmental health issues are encouraged. Awards are for partial support for public education projects in environmental health related to exposure prevention, assessment and awareness, and improvement of environmental health. Proposals for professional educational programs on environmental health issues promoting cooperation and collaboration between disciplines are encouraged.

Program Details

CHEEC is a state of Iowa-funded research Center. All programs must be delivered to Iowans or have an Iowa component. Qualified personnel from non-profit organizations, government entities, professional associations and educational organizations are eligible to apply. Education grants are for one-time programs and are not intended to be renewable on an annual basis. CHEEC Education Grants are for partial support of educational activities. Projects must demonstrate a cost-sharing component equal to or greater than the amount of money being requested.

FY 2019 AWARDS

During the current grant cycle $5,000 is available for Education Grants. The maximum award is $2,500 (direct costs only). There is no submission deadline. Proposals are reviewed on a first come - first served basis.

APPLICATION MECHANISM 

Please submit a cover page and short proposal (maximum of 5 pages - single spaced, 12 point font) with the following section headings:

Cover Page 

Title, name and affiliation, and contact information.

Proposal (5 Pages OR LESS)

• Describe the program, including program objectives, demonstrated need for the project and a brief discussion of the projects impact on public health/environmental health
• List the target audience, program dates, location, overview of facilities to be utilized, etc.
• Provide qualifications of key personnel
• Furnish a budget including a narrative of financial and in-kind support from all sources
• Discuss how the program will be evaluated

CHEEC funds may be used for all costs related to planning and conducting the program including support staff salaries, audiovisual equipment rental, facility rental, presenter travel, lodging and fees, printing, postage, telephone, supplies, etc. No faculty support is allowed.

PROPOSAL REVIEW

Proposals will be evaluated based on demonstrated public/professional need, program objectives, relevance to CHEEC goals, other sources of support (co-sponsors), justification of budget items, and methods of evaluating impact on target audience.

Send an email attachment of the proposal and cover letter to cheec@uiowa.edu.

For more information on the Education Grant Program:
Darrin Thompson
(319) 335-4014 
cheec@uiowa.edu

Educational programs funded to date include:

2019 Engaging Iowans about Private Well Testing: Bacteria   State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa

2018   Engaging Iowans about the Public Health Impact of Arsenic in Private Wells   State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa

2017   Iowa's Water Quality: A Public Health Perspective Workshop   Iowa Public Health Association

2016   Watershed: A Symposium on Dance, Science, Activism and the Future of Water in Iowa   Department of Dance, University of Iowa

2015   Feeding the World: Challenges for Water Quality and Quantity   Public Policy Center, University of Iowa

2013    Pollution, The Environment and your Health in Muscatine, Iowa: An Educational Toolkit and Outreach Strategy   Clean Air Muscatine

2012   Pediatric Environmental Health Conference     Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

2008   Writing Science at the Writing University    The Project on Rhetoric of Inquiry, University of Iowa

2007   Efficacy Assessment of Distributing Radon Education Materials to Parents of Newborns in Iowa    Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, University of Iowa

An Endangered River Runs Through Us: Three Iowa River Journeys    Department of English, University of Iowa

2006     The Governor’s Iowa High School Water Summit and Scholarship Program, Iowa Department of Public Health

2005    Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Forum: Bridge Building – Research to Practice, Iowa’s Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, University of Iowa

Governor’s Conference on Environmental Education, Iowa Environmental Council

Statewide Educational Conference for Agribusiness Employers of Latinos, Immigrants and Migrant Farm Workers, Proteus, Inc.

2004    Impacts of CAFOs: Anticipating Hazards – Searching for Solutions, Environmental Health Sciences Research Center, University of Iowa

2003    Design, installation, operation and maintenance of non-polluting onsite septic systems, Taylor County (IA) Environmental Health Deaprtment

Ecological Lawn and Garden Fair, Center for Energy and Environmental Education, University of Northern Iowa

2002   Midwest Agriculture Safety & Health Forum,  Iowa's Center for Agricultural Safety and Health, NIOSH Agricultural Safety & Health Centers

Expanding integrated pest management training for Iowa's public schools, Extension Entomology, Iowa State University

2000   Regional Teens Against Tobacco Use (TATU) Training, Mid Eastern Council on Chemical Abuse (MECCA)

Public Water Supply Workshop, University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory, Iowa Department of Natural Resources

1999     Children's conference with C. Everett Koop, Johnson County Citizens for Tobacco Free Youth

1998     Conference on Watershed Partnerships: Protecting Our Water Resources, Extension Agronomy, Iowa State University

1997     Conference on Building Local Partnerships: Water Quality, Watersheds and You, Extension Agronomy, Iowa State University  

Conference on Iowa’s Water Quality: Shaping Our Future Together, Iowa Environmental Council  

1996
The 8th International Workshop on Glucuronidation, Department of Pharmacology, University of Iowa

The Johnson County Water Festival, Johnson County Water Festival Organizing Committee