2009 SRTS Academy Grants! APPLY NOW!

Apply now for the 2009 Safe Routes to School Academy Grants!

The Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital is pleased to announce the launch of the 2009 Safe Routes to School Academy Grant Program. The program offers small grants in the amount of $5,000 each to schools (public or private), grades K–8 to help improve the safety of walking and bicycling to school.  In addition to the $5,000 grant, schools will be eligible to receive a FREE 2–day walkability audit, during which a team of trained experts will observe main walking routes to school and develop a comprehensive plan on how to improve the safety of those routes. This costly service will be FREE to all schools selected to receive the grant.

Who should apply?  Eligible applicants include Pennsylvania schools (public and private), grades K-8. High schools may apply if they include at least one grade K-8. The grant program is intended for both:  

·         Schools that have experience planning and implementing activities to promote walking and bicycling to school and safe walking and bicycling practices

AND

·         Schools that have little or no experience planning and implementing these types of activities. If you fall within this category: this grant is a great way for your school to get started, and we strongly encourage you to apply!

How do I apply? Applying is as easy as 1–2–3! Follow these simple instructions. Go to http://www.srtsacademy.org/grants/index.cfm, and:

1.       Review the Safe Routes to School Academy Grant Program – Overview and Instructions.

2.       Print and complete the SAMPLE Safe Routes to School Academy grant application. Use this SAMPLE to collect your responses before the official application becomes available. This will give you a head start and make submitting your answers online quick and easy.

3.       Access the online application (http://www.srtsacademy.org/app/index.cfm?event=object_application/2009_srts_application). Enter the responses you collected using the SAMPLE application. That’s it!

When is the deadline? The deadline to submit your online application is October 16, 2009.  

When will schools be selected? Schools will be selected, and all applicants will be notified on November 1, 2009.

If you have any questions, please contact me at fkauffman@psu.edu or 717–531–1440, ext. 3.

Best of luck!

Farah Kauffman, MPH

Active Communities Coordinator

Penn State Hershey Center for Nutrition and Activity Promotion

PA Advocates for Nutrition & Activity (PANA)