Guidelines for project funding by ASHA-Urbana-Champaign

The following is a concise outline of the guidelines we follow for evaluating a project for possible funding and then maintaining subsequent contact with the project.

1. ASHA-UC reviews all the information provided by the project and requests additional information if required.
2. Once contingent approval is made, a site visit will be conducted.
3. After a site visit, a decision will be reached 4 to 6 weeks after the site visit.
4. Site visits will be made biannually.
5. The entire process is expected to take between 3 to 6 months.
6. Biannual reports and financial information is required of projects that are funded.
7. Please read the 'criteria for project approval' and steps of the project committee for more details.

1. All applicants must complete the application form provided on the web at the Asha-UC url (this will be added when the application is put on the web). The application forms can be mailed on request too.
2. All projects reviewed by Asha-UC must be documented. Those that are screened and found unsuitable may be placed in the projects folder. If there are several projects to be evaluated, it should be distributed amongst project group members for the initial screening. All the information available should be forwarded to the projects coordinator for record keeping.
3. Two members of the projects group will evaluate one project. They will review all the relevant information available and come up with a detailed summary with all the relevant details included in it. If additional information is required, the members can request for it.
4. The summary will then be posted to the group atleast one day prior to the projects meeting. It will then be discussed during the projects meeting. The reviewers for the particular project will be responsible for answering any questions that come up about the project. All relevant questions and comments will be noted by the reviewers. A questionnaire and letter requesting specific information will be sent out to the project applicants.
5. Once contingent approval is reached on a project, a site visit will be scheduled before the final decision is reached.
6. After the site visit, the project coordinator will convene another meeting of the projects group. The members will meet and discuss the project in light of the information from the site visit. A decision will be reached regarding the funding in this meeting. If a consensus cannot be reached, it will be a vote by majority amongst the project group members. This decision will be tabled at the next general meeting to get approval of the Asha-UC for the project. The final decision is expected to be reached between 4 and 6 weeks after the site visit.
7. The entire process is expected to take between 3 and 6 months. Each funded project will submit two detailed reviews as stated in the projecgt guidelines. These will be submitted at the 5th and 10th month of funding. Using these two reports, an annual review will be conducted to make the decision regarding future fuding. Asha-UC holds the right to fund in installments if the amount requested is large. The second installment will depend upon favorable review after the first stage of the project.