Humboldt Energy Independence Fund

Idea Paper Guidelines

The mission of the Humboldt Energy Independence Fund (HEIF) is to reduce the environmental impact of energy use at HSU through student driven projects.

The five primary goals of the HEIF:

• The HEIF will achieve its mission through projects that are developed by students and, to the extent possible, implemented, monitored, and maintained with strong student involvement.
• The HEIF will require accountability by measuring and reporting quantitative and qualitative results, as well as levels of involvement by students and other participants, in all its projects.
• The HEIF will strive to make its projects derive from and be connected to the curriculum of the university.
• The HEIF will support dissemination of information about its projects through public outreach and educational activities.
• The HEIF will seek to publicize accomplishments and experiences associated with its program and projects through a variety of media.

The HEIF was first proposed by students in 2000 as an approach to addressing the adverse ecological and cultural effects of HSU's dependence on external energy sources. This fund was finally established in Fall 2007 and is maintained through the Instructionally Related Activities Fee.

Eligibility
HIEF is requesting ideas for projects that directly address the mission of HEIF and at least one of the goals above. Eligible projects ideas can include activities that are HSU Implemented, any activities that require changes to university policies or campus infrastructure (buildings, streets, grounds, etc.) and/or Student Implemented, activities that are carried out by the proposing group and/or their collaborators.
 

Currently enrolled students of Humboldt State University, in any discipline, are eligible to submit ideas and proposals to the Fund.  Faculty and Staff are also eligible to submit proposals when collaborating with students.
 

Funding Parameters
HEIF funds will not support projects mandated by law or HSU policy directives since the University is already obligated to allocate funds for such projects.  HEIF will fund projects that go above and beyond minimum requirements and which are unable to gain funding from other University related sources.
 

Intellectual property rights will be based on University policy with an intention of giving the intellectual property rights to the inventor.  The University reserves the right to use any intellectual property generated in a project funded by HEIF for its own purposes.

Cover Sheet
The cover sheet is the first page of your Idea Paper.  It should state the title of the idea, name, and email of each collaborator.  Indicate if each collaborator is a student, faculty or staff.  If a student, also provide area of study and expected date of graduation.  On this same page, provide an abstract or brief description of your proposed idea.

Idea Proposal Narrative
The idea narrative needs to include the following sections.  The questions in each section are meant to serve as a guide.  Narratives are a maximum length of 2 pages, 1” margins, 12pt font, single spaced.  Use the underlined section headings within the narrative so that reviewers can easily find the information.

1. Project Description: Provide additional description of the project idea aside from what is covered in the abstract.
2. Need Statement: How does the project address HEIF’s mission?  Which of HEIF’s goals does the project meet and how? Minimum of one goal must be fulfilled by the proposed project.
3. Outcome: What are the tangible expected results and benefits of the project?  What are the student learning outcomes?  How will the project’s effort to reduce the environmental impact of energy be ascertained?
4. Partners: Identify campus entities, HSU students, faculty and/or staff who would support his project.  This section is optional, but highly recommended.
5. Appendix: This section is also optional but could include any of the following supporting material: methodology for determining outcomes, relevant internet links, resources, product information, specifications, economic analysis, and pictures or schematic diagrams or data.

Evaluation Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Applicability to HEIF’s mission and goals
• Potential to succeed
• Relative anticipated overall cost and cost / benefit ratio
• Connection to prior work and/or opportunities for partner resources
• Originality

Idea Paper consisting of Cover Sheet and Idea Narrative can be

submitted electronically to HEIF@humboldt.edu.

For a printable verison of the Idea Paper Guidelines click here.