The National Center for Safe Routes to School is now accepting applications for $1,000 mini-grants from organizations and groups with creative ideas that support safe walking and bicycling to school and youth-focused activities for elementary and middle schools. Applications are due by April 7, 2010.
More details from the National Center for Safe Routes to School:
Successful applications will focus on either (a) increasing safe walking and/or bicycling to school, or (b) improving the safety of students already walking and/or bicycling to school. Mini-grant activities may also explore a variety of issues related to SRTS, including physical activity and environmental benefits, distracted driving, personal safety, integrating children with disabilities and community building. Mini-grant activities with high levels of age-appropriate student engagement are encouraged.
Eligible mini-grant activities must occur at elementary or middle schools. These schools must either be (a) starting new safe walking/bicycling activities, or (b) expanding existing safe walking/bicycling activities. Activities funded by the mini-grants should have the potential for continued impacts.
Example eligible activities include, but are not limited to, the following:
* Students encouraging peers/parents to find opportunities to walk or bicycle to school.
* Students working to increase safe driving in school zones and neighborhoods. Issues addressed could include speeding, cell phone usage, texting, etc.
* Students developing and/or promoting school or district policies which are supportive of safe walking and bicycling to school.
* Students of all abilities working together to identify and resolve safe walking/bicycling accessibility issues.
* Students and teachers working together to integrate walking and bicycling into the general curriculum (math, social studies, English, science, etc.).
* Students connecting the choice to walk/bicycle with better health or with helping the environment.
Click here for more information about mini-grant eligible activities and to view and download the call for applications and instructions. Applications are due by April 7, 2010 and grant recipients will be announced by May 26.
