Aboriginal Education

Aboriginal Special Projects Fund - 2008/09

• Overview
• Application process
• Adjudication process
• Definitions
• General guidelines for all applicants
• Final reporting procedures
• Proposal evaluation criteria

Overview

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development (AVED) administers the Aboriginal Special Projects Fund (ASPF) to provide limited, short-term financial support that assists British Columbia’s public post-secondary institutions in developing and delivering culturally-sensitive and quality educational programming and support services for Aboriginal learners.

The primary purpose of the program is to increase participation, success and retention rates for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia. Through the fund, AVED also encourages partnerships between public post-secondary institutions, Aboriginal organizations, bands, tribal councils, Aboriginal advisory councils and Aboriginal-controlled institutions. The ASPF supports the development and pilot of new programs and courses, cultural education support and transition programs, student recruitment activities, and student support services.

Since the ASPF’s inception eight years ago, projects funded through the ASPF have included adult basic education, social work, health programs, Aboriginal Language programs, justice and the law, community economic development, natural resource management, tourism, math and science, early childhood education, teacher education, trades, governance, film, fine arts and on-line learning.

ASPF funding has also been used to educate Aboriginal learners in areas of need in their communities. These programs include Social Service Worker, Home Support/Resident Care Attendance preparation, preparation for Nursing and other health-related careers, Diploma in Aboriginal Justice, Teacher’s Assistant, First Nations Museology Certificate, Native Indian Teacher Education Program, Child and Youth Care Bachelor’s Program and Master of Social Work Program with a First Nations focus.

Application Process

Each year, the Ministry conducts a call for proposals to public post-secondary education institutions, stating the final deadline for applications, funding categories with maximum available funding, proposal criteria, evaluation criteria and final reporting procedures.

Applications due 4:00 pm, May 15, 2008

Download application form

Adjudication Process

Proposals are evaluated internally by Ministry staff and secondly by an external review committee. Evaluations are based on criteria listed at the bottom of this page.

Changes to Funding in 2008/09

Beyond an institution’s identified top three proposals, preference may be given to proposals from those institutions not selected for the Ministry’s Aboriginal Service Plan initiative.

Final Reports will be posted on AVED’s extranet and any curriculum developed through the ASPF programs may be shared among public post-secondary institutions. The Province of British Columbia will have licence to use, copy and distribute, for educational use in British Columbia, copies of the final product, materials of interest, or curriculum (where applicable), for which the institution acknowledges, by receipt and use of ASPF funding.

In 2008/09, AVED emphasizes capacity-building projects as they relate to the treaty process as well as on-line learning, collaboration, transition, and/or language programs.

Definitions

Aboriginal Special Projects – General

As in previous years, Aboriginal Special Project Funding supports a number of initiatives including: new program or curriculum development, indigenization of program delivery or implementation, modification to existing programs, expansion of recruitment and outreach, and program enhancement. The primary purpose of the program is to increase participation, success and retention rates for Aboriginal learners in British Columbia. In 2008/09, AVED emphasizes capacity-building projects as they relate to the treaty process as well as on-line learning, collaboration, transition, and/or language programs.

General Guidelines for All Applicants

• Institutions should complete one application form per proposal submitted, up to a maximum of three applications per institution (maximum of two proposals that seek up to $100,000).
• Proposals submitted must be ordered by priority and indicated on the cover page.
• Proposals must be a partnership formed by a post-secondary institution, its Aboriginal Coordinator, an Aboriginal organization, and the Project Manager – as represented by their four signatures on the cover page of the proposal.
• Proposals should be no more than eight pages (plus appendices where appropriate).
• All reports, publications, videos, software, etc. used by the project or produced by the project seeking funds by this proposal MUST conform to Canadian Copyright Laws pertaining to limits on allowable quotations, royalties for use of music, etc. Liability will rest with the sponsoring Aboriginal organization and institution.
• Proposals should address a need through building on existing activities or introducing a new program or service.

Final Reporting Procedures

Please submit both a hard copy and electronic copy of all Final Reports

Please note:

• Final reports and/or interim reports for funds received in 2008/09 are due March 31, 2009 and must be received prior to the consideration of new 2009/10 proposals.
• The Ministry reserves the right to distribute and share information contained in these reports throughout the Province, including the right to post final reports on the Internet.
• The Ministry reserves the right to exclude institutions from future consideration if final reports are not submitted in a timely manner.

Final Reports must include:

1. Description of the degree to which the project was successful in achieving its objectives.
2. Statistics related to the project such as number of registrants, number who completed the program detailed by full-time and part-time students, identification of student contact hours if applicable.
3. Description of benefits and impact on individuals, community, institution or the province.
4. Financial statements showing revenue received, funding sources, and actual expenditures (surplus amounts must be identified and will be retained by the institution for Aboriginal programs).
5. Copies of any affiliation or partnership agreements.
6. Evidence of networking and consulting with other post-secondary institutions, Aboriginal community partners, Bands and or Tribal councils and Aboriginal-controlled institutions.
7. Employment or further educational opportunities accessed by students completing the program.
8. Summary of internal evaluation of the program and any external evaluation conducted.
9. Identification of the institution’s long-term plan for the program.
10. Recommendations that this project has for others considering similar work.
11. Copies of the final product, materials of interest, or curriculum (where applicable).

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Please note that no substantial changes should be made to projects without the consent of AVED’s Coordinator, Aboriginal Programs. Institutions will be required to submit a follow-up letter outlining changes to the scope of their activities.

Before sending your application(s) you are invited to discuss your proposal ideas or application form(s) with Vanessa Rogers, Research Officer, at vanessa.rogers@gov.bc.ca or by phone at 250 952-6114.