Student Initiative and Development Fund

Students may apply to the fund once per project/initiative, and once per academic year (September-August).

Applications will be accepted throughout the year and will be reviewed by the committee within ten (10) business days of being received. Applications must be received one calendar month prior to the date of the event being hosted to allow for processing time.

SIDF monies are drawn from a budget funded by undergraduate and graduate ancillary fees.

Applications for SIDF funding must meet the following criteria:

• Undergraduate and graduate-led projects/initiatives that will not directly earn academic credit.
• Projects must demonstrate that they:
  • Enhance student life beyond academic requirements;
  • Support or promote Nipissing University and its student body;
  • Assist in cultivating a sense of community at Nipissing University;
  •  Assist students with promoting Nipissing University at academically recognized provincial/national or international events/conferences.
• Students must demonstrate they have attempted to secure income/funding from alternate sources. These sources can include but are not limited to: fundraising (ie. Bake sale), faculty or other donations, sponsorship, etc.
• The Student Initiative and Development Fund Committee will not consider applications received after an event or activity has taken place.
• If information is missing on the application form or the information is insufficient to demonstrate the funding request, the Committee may ask for additional information from the applicant.

The SIDF Committee will NOT award funding for the following:

• Alcoholic beverages;
• Student group or project deficits from a previous year or completed initiative;
• Prize money or gift cards;
• Charitable donations;
• Contingency funds or ancillary expenses;
• Graduation events;
• Projects that directly earn academic credit;
• Purchase of personal equipment or capital expenses;
• Purchase of personal technology (hardware or software).

• Review the Checklist for a Complete Application at the end of these guidelines.
• Download the SIDF Application Form and the SIDF Budget Template from the SIDF website.
• Attach any other relevant documentation and submit electronically to SDS@nipissingu.ca by the semester deadline. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
• In the email submission, indicate “SIDF: Project Title” in the subject line.
• Ensure the Project Lead has clearly identified contact information for submission follow-up and for clarification of the submission should the committee require.

After the committee has reviewed your submission, the Project Lead will be contacted by the Student Initiative and Development Fund team to inform of the outcome of the request, and if approved for funding, the amount of funds the project has been granted will be part of the notification. **If you are requesting funds on behalf of a NUSU student group, NUSU will also be included in the communication. After review, the committee will advise the Project Lead on the best route for the funds to be paid out. Approved funds may be accessed/utilized in the following ways:

1. Complete Purchase Requisition to obtain a Purchase Order number (PO#) to order (Nipissing makes payment directly to an external service provider);
2. Student(s) pay in advance and complete a Statement of Expense with attached receipts for reimbursement;
3. If the Application is for a NUSU Student Group, reimbursement of funds will be paid directly to NUSU, who will then make arrangements to pay the students who have incurred expenses related to the project.

Both the Purchase Requisition and Statement of Expense must be sent to the Assistant Vice- President, Students for approval and signature.

Awarded funds must be accessed within the current academic year. Funds cannot be transferred or carried over from year to year.

NOTE: The Student Initiative and Development Fund (SIDF) will only reimburse pre-approved expenses with receipts. Funds are only to be used towards approved SIDF components of the budget in the original submission. Funds used for items not approved, or not included on original submission, will not be reimbursed.

All approved initiatives must submit a final report and budget. Failure to submit a final report will result in no reimbursement of funds. The Final Report is due 1 month following the event. If the Final Report is not submitted, the Project Lead will be held responsible for repayment of any SIDF funds expended.

FINAL REPORT: The Final Report should be a minimum of 1 page in length, and include the following:

• The initiatives main objectives
• Key achievements: How the experience impacted the individual/group and the “biggest take-away”
• Details of any difficulties or set-backs encountered
• Any marketing or communications strategies (include copies of posters/email/flyers)
• Current contact information (including phone # and email) of the project lead.

FINAL BUDGET: The Final Budget should be completed on the SIDF FINAL Budget Template and should include the following:

• A complete list of actual costs/expenditures
• Details of the specific costs SIDF funded
• Any other sources of funding/revenue

Final reports must be submitted electronically to SDS@nipissingu.ca and must include the final budget.

Ensure your completed application:

• Is completed on the SIDF Application Form (signed by the Project Lead)
• Fulfills the scope of the SIDF:
  1. Enhance student life beyond academic requirements;
  2. Support/promote Nipissing University and the Nipissing University student body;
  3. Assists in cultivating a sense of community at Nipissing University.
• Demonstrates you have meaningfully sought alternate sources of funding (sponsorship, fundraising, etc.).
• Includes a completed Budget in the proper format (see SIDF Budget Template).
• Clearly identifies a project lead with appropriate contact information.
• Clearly identifies who reimbursement will be paid to.
• Adheres to submission deadlines.
• Adheres to all Nipissing University Policies.