Call for research proposals
Vermont Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance
Presidential Youth Fitness Program/ Fitnessgram© Research Grant Application
Vermont educators, health and physical education professionals, and students from Vermont
institutions of higher learning may apply for a research grant stipend of up to $2000 to be used to
investigate and improve children’s physical education and fitness in Vermont. Applicants who are
VTAHPERD members will be given priority. The project must include data from a Vermont-based
population or list specific research-based improvement goals for Vermont schools.
The funding for this grant comes from a generous award by the General Mills Foundation to VTAHPERD.
Funding is earmarked to help improve the health and physical education of Vermont students through
the Presidential Youth Fitness Program and Fitnessgram®. The Presidential Youth Fitness Program
provides a model for fitness education within a comprehensive, quality physical education program. The
program provides resources and tools for physical educators to enhance their fitness education process.
This includes the Fitnessgram® assessment, instructional strategies to promote student physical activity
and fitness, and communication tools to help physical educators increase awareness about their work in
the classroom. The Fitnessgram® assessment includes a variety of health-related physical fitness tests
that are used to determine students' overall physical fitness and suggest areas for improvement when
appropriate.
All research projects must be completed within date indicated on proposal. The timeline for completion
must be within three years or less.
Applicants must include all information as described.
The grant application must be sent to the VTAHPERD Presidential Youth Fitness Program Grant
Committee on or before the deadline of October 31, 2014. If grant funds remain after this round, a
second round will be announced. Inquiries and applications should be forwarded to Lisa A. Pleban Ed.D.
VTAHPERD Executive Director, at lisa.pleban@castleton.edu
The complete application formatted as one electronic file (word or PDF) should include the following:
1. The cover sheet
2. A detailed grant proposal. Please limit this section to no more than 2 pages.
3. A detailed budget. Funding may not be used to cover substitute teachers, consulting fees, or other
job compensation for the applicant or for others. Funding may be used to cover materials,
technology, travel, professional development, rental fees, or other related research-based costs.
Use the headers below in your grant proposal.
A. Rational and Objectives
 Provide the rationale for why the project is particularly important.
 Identify precisely the need of the project and the population(s) served.
 Indicate the specific objectives of the project.
 Indicate how this study or project directly relates to the Presidential Youth Fitness
Program or to Fitnessgram®.
B. Outcomes
 Describe the change you expect will occur as a result of your project.
 Describe how you will report the outcomes of your study.
C. Participation in the project: what incentive is there for participating? (college credit, staff
development points, other?)
D. Project Activities, Procedures and Timeline
 Explain precisely and comprehensively the procedures/methods of the project—How will the
project be planned and implemented?
 Provide a timeline as to when each project activity will be completed.
 Include starting date and completion date of project.
 Provide list of outside resources that may be used to complete the project.
E. Evaluation Plan
 How will you know you have achieved the desired outcome?
 Explain procedures you will follow, instruments you will use, and criteria for success.
 Explain how the results of your project will be shared with other Vermont AHPERD members.
Please include in your budget the following details:
 Detail all expenses.
 Be specific, use brands, descriptions, quantities, shipping costs, model numbers, etc. if known
 Travel by car is reimbursed at the current rate of .56 per mile.
Grant applications will be reviewed by the VTAHPERD Presidential Youth Fitness Program Grant
Committee in October. Notification of grants will be made by November 1, 2014. Awardees will need to
submit a school tax identification number.
Use attached rubric as a guide to complete grant application.
VTAHPERD Presidential Youth Fitness Program/ Fitnessgram© Research Grant Application
Cover sheet
Name of applicant:
Home Address:
Home Phone:
School Name:
School Address:
Position at school:
School Phone:
School Email:
Names of additional personnel to be involved:
Project Title:
Summary. Also indicate how this study or project directly relates to the Presidential Youth Fitness
Program or to Fitnessgram®. (limit this to two paragraphs. A detailed proposal will also be submitted):
Note the time frame for this project: up to three years. Note month/year:
Amount Requested (up to $2000.00):
Is project jointly funded? Explain if so:
If this request for a grant is funded, I understand I will be required to submit a final report to the
VTAHPERD Grant Committee, through the Executive Director. In addition, I will submit a final budget
with receipts. If project is not completed in the given time, the Grants Committee may request all
money and equipment previously granted to be refunded to VTAHPERD
Signature of Applicant:
Date:
Review Criteria VTAHPERD Presidential Youth Fitness Program/ Fitnessgram© Research Grant
Application (50 point scale)
Application
The application is filled out according to the guidelines. All questions are answered thoroughly. 10 points
The application is filled out according to the guidelines. All questions are answered. 8 points
The application lacks some requested information. 5 points
The application does not follow grant guidelines. 0 points
Rationale/Objectives
Clearly identifies objectives in measurable terms. 10 points
Identifies objectives in measurable terms. 8 points
Attempts to identify measurable objectives. 5 points
Fails to identify measurable objectives. 0 points
Statement of Needs
Presents compelling evidence for why the project is important and the population it will impact. Clear
relation to Fitnessgram and/or PYFP 10 points
Presents some evidence for why the project is important and the population it will impact. Clear relation
to Fitnessgram and/or PYFP 8 points
Vaguely presents evidence for why the project is important and the population it will impact. Relation to
Fitnessgram and/or PYFP 5 points
Does not present evidence for why the project is important and the population it will impact. Or, no
relation to Fitnessgram and/or PYFP 0 points
Procedures/Methods
Specifically outlines an action plan including activities, strategies and person(s) responsible for the
project. Contains a realistic timeline not exceeding three years. 10 points
Adequately describes most activities, strategies, and people responsible for the project. Contains a
realistic timeline not exceeding three years. 8 points
Attempts to describe activities and strategies that will be carried out to meet the objectives. The
timeline may not be realistic. 5 points
Fails to describe activities and strategies that will be carried out to meet the objectives. The timeline is
missing or inadequate. 0 points
Evaluation
A plan is provided which realistically and specifically measures project objectives. Evaluation
instruments are clearly explained. 10 points
A plan is provided which measures project objectives. Evaluation instruments are explained. 8 points
A plan is provided which will measure project objectives. Evaluation instruments are lacking or not
explained clearly. 5 points
No evaluation components are identified. No points
10 bonus points for applicant possessing an up-to-date VTAHPERD membership