Broadband
Innovation Grant
Opportunity
A high-speed fiber-optic network
advancing Research, Education,
Medicine, and Business
February 1, 2015
Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
Introduction
More than 15 years ago, Northern Illinois University (NIU) recognized the
deficiencies and high costs associated with obtaining broadband services outside of the
Chicago Metro region. NIU struggled to obtain low-cost, high-speed services for its
DeKalb campus and regional sites that were adequate for a major university. Through
some investigative research, NIU determined that businesses, education, healthcare and
local governments all struggled with the same broadband deficiencies outside the
Chicago Metro area. With that information, NIU started a pilot program dubbed “NIUNet”
that partnered with community anchor Institutions and businesses to realize the full
promise of technology in the region.
What evolved was an affordable, high-speed connected broadband networks
connecting dozens of regional partners. More than 500 institutions in rural Illinois are now
utilizing low-cost high-speed fiber optic broadband networks. While continuing to build
on that success, broadband connectivity continues to grow between NIU and the
Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs). NIU has positioned itself to be a leader in the
development of broadband applications over high-speed networks, placing next
generation technology into the hands of our region’s citizens.
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
1. Program Purpose
Division of Information Technology (DoIT) is making funds available to support the
development of next-generation technology applications that benefit CAIs over
connected high speed broadband. More than 500 schools, libraries, health care
providers, public safety entities, institutions of higher education, and community service
organizations on NIU-built broadband networks are looking for help with applications that
address the needs of vulnerable populations, including low-income, the unemployed,
and the aged.
Through its Broadband Innovation Fund, DoIT is providing up to a total of $30,000
a year for up to three years to support innovative research and product development
that fosters technology, engineering, education, economic development, healthcare,
or human service uses over high speed broadband connectivity.
This grant opportunity aims to accelerate the pace of innovation at NIU by placing
next-generation technology in the hands of entrepreneurial individuals and supporting
them in discovering the best uses for it. Very fast networks may lead to unanticipated
discoveries that change how people connect, work, learn, play and contribute online.
The NIUNet Broadband Development Team has created an environment that gives NIU
a cutting edge platform to develop broadband applications.
2.
Types of Awards
Two types of awards are eligible for funding under the Broadband Innovation
Grant Program: “Planning/Early Stage” and “Implementation/Proof of Concept” awards.
Applicants must state in their narrative the type of award for which they are applying.
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
Planning/Early Stage awards are designed to fund brainstorming sessions, early
alpha-level prototypes, and initial planning. Proposals for this award should identify a
problem or research question, explore a research agenda, or discover appropriate
methodologies or technologies. Outcomes for this type of project could include reports,
position papers, and plans for subsequent steps and future research or development.
Implementation/Proof of Concept awards can be used for more fully-formed
projects that are ready to begin implementation or demonstrate proof of concept. As
such, proposals should include a plan of work leading to concrete and tangible
outcomes, such as working prototypes, test beds, or demonstration projects.
Eligible activities include:
Support is available for research, consulting, project-related travel, and technical
support and services. Up to 40% of the total grant may be used for the acquisition of
computing hardware and software.
Activities not eligible for funding through this program include:
 Projects that mainly involve digitization, (or the conversion of analog content to
electronic formats) unless the applicant is proposing an innovative method for
digitization.
 Sponsoring or Attending conferences or professional meetings
 Purchase of computer equipment or software in excess of 20% of the grant total
 Work undertaken in the pursuit of an academic degree
 The preparation or publication of textbooks
Successful proposals will demonstrate innovation in approach and results. An
innovative project creates something new or offers a new approach to tackling a
problem. Innovation can take many forms. It may be technical, as in the creation of a
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
new software program or application; it can make use of an existing technology in a new
way; or the collaborative process itself may be innovative.
Funding through the DoIT Innovation Grant is limited to a total disbursement of
$30,000 per year. The review panel may select up to three applications for awards, with
the total disbursement amongst these awards equaling no more than $30,000. Eligible
applicants may apply to renew their funding each year.
3. Award Terms
a. Unless otherwise specified, all grants have one-year terms. Applicants may apply
to renew their funding each year.
b. Receipt of a Broadband Innovation Grant does not imply continued support
beyond the completion of the grant.
c. DoIT expects grantees to provide broad access to all grant products, insofar as
the conditions of the materials and intellectual property rights allow. For the
Broadband Innovation Grants program such products may include software
code, algorithms, digital tools, reports, articles, applications, websites, mobile
applications, games, and virtual environments.
d. All grantees are expected to communicate the results of their work to appropriate
scholarly and public audiences.
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
e. A schedule of report due dates will be included with the award documents.
Reports must be submitted electronically via email, in .pdf format, by each due
date.
o
A final performance report will describe key accomplishments and lessons
learned. Final performance reports will be posted on the DoIT website.
o
A final financial report will detail all expenses and disbursements of funds.
Both final performance and financial reports will be due within 90 days of
the closing of the grant period.
4. Timeline
a. Grant applications will be accepted by the DoIT between February 1, 2015 and
5:00 p.m. on May 15, 2015.
b. Internal peer review will end June 30, 2015 and successful solicitations will be
forwarded for external peer review. Applicants will be notified of status at this time.
c. External peer review will conclude August 31, 2015.
d. Applicants will be notified by e-mail by September 8, 2015.
5. Eligibility
NIU eligibility encompasses:

Current NIU undergraduate students partnered with an NIU faculty member

Current NIU graduate students

NIU faculty

NIU staff
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
a. Degree candidates may not be project directors. Project directors may submit
only one application to this program at a time, although they may participate in
more than one Broadband Innovation Grant project.
b. When two or more individuals or organizations collaborate on a project, the lead
applicant must be associated with NIU.
c. Late, incomplete, or ineligible applications will not be reviewed.
6. Proposal Requirements
All proposals must conform to the following format:

Margins should be 1 inch

Spacing should be double spaced

Typeface should be 12 point Ariel

All submission materials must be in PDF format

Submissions should be emailed to tlrogers@niu.edu with the subject line:
Broadband Grant Submission – Name of Grant

DoIT will send a confirmation of receipt to the contact person identified in the
proposal

Late applications will not be reviewed
Questions on submissions are accepted only by email and must have the following
Information in the subject line of the message: Broadband Innovation Grant Question
and be emailed to tlrogers@niu.edu.
Questions submitted by applicants will be
posted on the grant website www.niunet.edu/niunet/grants for all applicants to
review.
In the event an applicant wishes to know the CAI’s affiliated with NIU’s
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
connected broadband networks, email tlrogers@niu.edu and DoIT will work with the
Project Director to provide appropriate information.
To be considered for funding an application must include the following items in
the order indicated and within the length restrictions noted. Total pages should not
exceed 30 pages in length.
A. Table of Contents (1 page)
B. Cover Sheet (1 page)
C. List of Participants (1 page)
Identify all project participants and collaborators and their institutional affiliations,
if any. The names on this list should match the names mentioned in the personnel
of the project’s narrative description. This list should also include any advisory
board members and the names and institutional affiliations of any experts who
have provided letters of support.
D. Abstract (2 pages)
Applicants should provide a clear and concise explanation of the proposed
activities and project results, noting their value to CAIs, researchers, and the
public. Include the following:

Project goals and objectives

The significance of the proposed project in assisting and benefiting the high
speed connectivity to CAIs throughout Northern Illinois

The unique features and innovation of the project

The method/activities that would result if the proposal were funded

Expected results
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
E. Statement of Need (up to 3 pages)
Describe the problem, need, or opportunity relative to CAIs in northern Illinois that
the project will address using high speed broadband technology. Cite relevant
research and/or provide data that substantiates the need.
F. Goals and Objectives (up to 3 pages)
State the desired goals and objectives to address the need/problem stated
above. Identify metrics to be used in measuring progress and outcomes.
G. Methods/Scope of Work(up to 5 pages)
Describe what activities will be undertaken to meet the project goals and
objectives. Highlight innovative ways in which the project will meet its objectives.
H. Timeline and Milestones (up to 2 pages)
Provide detailed information on the expected timetable for the project. Specify
beginning and end dates and milestones associated with each major activity.
Break the timeline into phases if appropriate.
Start & End
Dates
I.
Major Activity
Milestone Achieved
Budget (3 pages)
Using the template provided at the end of the application, provide estimated
project revenues and expenses. Identify who will provide financial management of
the project and their qualifications. Describe any equipment and/or technology
needs that will be addressed with project funds.
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
NIU’s Grants Fiscal Administration office will oversee the projects financials and will
provide grant recipients with the necessary requirements for monthly reporting.
J. Key Personnel (3 pages)
List all personnel who will have substantive responsibilities for implementing and
managing the project, including graduate, undergraduate, and post doctorate
students.
Designate personnel who have not yet been hired as “TBA” (To Be
Appointed).
For every individual listed, provide:

Title (relative to the project)

Anticipated effort (percentage of time to be spent on the project)

Major project-related responsibilities

A one-paragraph biographical sketch
For the principal investigator or project leads provide a complete curriculum vitae.
K. Sustainability (1 page)
Describe how the project will be sustained for at least three years after the grant
period ends, including funding sources and amounts, responsible parties, and what
type of institutional support will be needed.
L. Letters of Commitment/Support (5 pages)
Include letters of commitment from key partners and cooperating institutions
and/or from experts in the project’s subject area, the proposed methodology, or the
technical plan. Letters should be sent to the project director and submitted with the
application.
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
Budget
REVENUE
Committed
Funds
Pending
Funds
Amount
Requested
In this
Proposal
Total Project
Expenses
1. DoIT Broadband Innovation Grant Funds
2. Outside funding received from other sources*
*All funding received to support the entire grant project should be listed. This would
include any outside matching funds, federal or state grants, initial startup funding, or
other revenue sources utilized for research and development
TOTAL REVENUE
EXPENSE
Personnel
Salaries and Wages (see example below)
Payroll Taxes
Benefits
Consultants and Professional Fees
Travel/Professional Development
Operations
Rent
Utilities
Telecommunications
Postage/Messenger
Printing and copying
Equipment
Supplies
Other
TOTAL EXPENSE
*(Example)
Full-Time Personnel
Part-Time Personnel
Staff Position #1 ........... $_____ Staff Position #4 .............. $_____
Staff Position #2 ............. $_____ Staff Position #5 .............. $_____
TOTAL REVENUE
(TOTAL EXPENSE)
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Broadband Innovation Grant Opportunity| 2015
Grant Application Cover Sheet
Project
Name:
Date of Application:
Principal Investigator:
Contact
Person:
Email
Address:
Address (principal/administrative
office):
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone:
Fax:
Amount Requested: $
Total Project Cost: $
Beginning Date of the
Project:
Ending Date of the
Project:
Purpose:
Project Goals:
Which area of focus relative to CAIs does the application support? Circle all that apply.
Health and
Human
Services
Emergency Response Providers
Libraries
Education
Primary or Secondary
Education
Social
Services
Government
Local or Regional
List community partners you will work with to ensure the success of this project. If there are none enter N/A.
Describe your audience or population who will be served or impacted.
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