Let's Talk About Water

The LTAW award is currently on hold. Updates will be posted when available.

The Let’s Talk About Water (LTAW) grant application consists of:

1. A 2-page CV.

2. A statement (maximum 3 pages) describing the proposed activity.

   1. If a panel will be part of the project (tracks 1 and 2), a list of panelists should be included.

3. A one-page budget, including a justification.

   1. The budget can include compensation for students working on the project. If compensation for faculty is requested, a justification for that compensation must be clearly laid out as part of the budget.

   2. Indirect costs (such as benefits or Facilities & Administration costs) are not covered by CUAHSI and should not be included in the budget.

4. Student and student groups must include a Letter of Endorsement/Commitment from the applicant’s advisor.

The LTAW application process is completed online. You must create an account with Proposal Space to submit your application. There is no fee for submitting. You can save your application in progress and return to it later, but all required documents must be entered before submitting. All required information must be submitted by the application deadline.

1. The clarity of the objectives presented for the work, including the target audience for the proposed work.

2. The likelihood of the proposed outcome being completed in a 1 year timeframe.

3. The proposed approach to reach the target audience. The approach should be a creative one that will ensure reaching the intended audience.

4. The overall impact on the public. The proposed work should clearly lay out how they expect it will impact the public.

5. The potential to contribute to the LTAW legacy. The proposed activities should build upon the LTAW work including bringing new approaches to science communication, reaching a broader audience, etc.

6. Is the proposed budget appropriate, realistic and properly justified? No indirect costs are allowed for this grant.

The LTAW award is currently on hold. Updates will be posted when available.

The application process is completed online through ProposalSpace. You must create an account with Proposal Space to submit your application. There is no fee for submitting. You can save your application in progress and return to it later, but all required documents must be entered before submitting. All required information must be submitted by the application deadline.

Eligibility. Students, student groups, faculty and staff affiliated with U.S. universities and colleges are eligible to apply for an LTAW Grant.

Grant conditions. Up to $7,500 grants are available for production costs, honoraria for panelists or workshop facilitators and travel. Questions about what can be covered under the grant can be directed to Veronica Sosa Gonzalez email hidden; JavaScript is required. Grant funds may not be used to cover indirect costs (such as health insurance, or Facilities & Administration). Support for this Grant will be provided on a reimbursement basis in accordance with the CUAHSI Travel Policy. One-third (1/3) of the budgeted funds may be requested as an advance to cover large initial expenses.

CUAHSI Code of Conduct compliance. Awardees are required to comply with CUAHSI's Code of Conduct and complete a Disclosure Form upon award.

Deliverables

• Final Report: Recipients are required to submit a final report that documents the significant outcomes of the sponsored activities to receive full reimbursement.

• Dissemination: Recipients are expected to develop and execute a plan for disseminating their work, such as sharing their short film broadly

• Film products: If LTAW funds were used to produce a short film, CUAHSI must obtain a digital copy of that production. If the production is posted somewhere online, a link to that posting is sufficient

2022 LTAW Grant awardee, Danelle Haake, RiverWatch Director and Stream Ecologist, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, co-produced a short film called, Mussel Grubbers - A Citizen Science Treasure Hunt:

Watch 2020 LTAW Grant awardee, Paula Buchanan, speak about the benefits this award had on her career:

View Attack of the Evil Fatbergs!

CUAHSI, through support from the National Science Foundation and the Johnson Family Foundation, has developed resources to enable you to host your own Let's Talk About Water event. CUAHSI staff are available to provide support if you have questions as you develop your event.

The LTAW event formula is simple;

1. Decide what you are trying to achieve and who you are trying to reach.
2. Choose a film and panel, determine a communications topic or create a film that supports your objective and target audience.
3. Market your event or film and create buzz.
4. Make it an engaging forum for a lively discussion!

As a scientist, LTAW events give you the opportunity to tell the story of your work, or someone else’s, in a way that connects with a general audience. For a more comprehensive list of water and environmental films that have been shown at previous LTAW events as well as past university and community events, view the complete Film Inventory on the official Let's Talk About Water website. And check out the recording of the LTAW Short Film Showcase webinar here!