Equestrians’ Institute is pleased to offer education grants to its members.
It is a way for E.I. to say “thank you” to those that have contributed to its success.

These grants are offered independently by each section of Equestrians' Institute (Dressage, Eventing, or Combined Driving).

The E.I. Board of Directors shall determine the number of grants and the maximum amount of money available per grant each year.

If you have helped out at E.I. events or have otherwise participated in the running of the organization, E.I. wants to reward you by funding your next clinic or seminar. Read on – it is easy to apply for these grants.

Grants offered in 2008 – Application deadline June 1, 2008

• Dressage: 2 grants of $500
• Eventing: 2 grants of $500

Eligibility:

1. The applicant must be a current member of E.I. when the application is filed.
2. The grant money must be used to advance the education of the applicant. Possible education events include clinics, seminars, symposia, lectures at the USDF annual meeting, etc. Grant money shall not be used to fund competitive endeavors.
3. Only one grant will be awarded to one individual per year.
4. Past recipients may apply for another grant, but if there is an equally qualified applicant, the grant will be awarded to a new recipient.

Process:
Grant applications are sent to the Grant Administrator by mail or email no later than the date announced each year, usually in the spring. Grant recipients shall be notified of their award in a timely fashion.

There is no application form – the following information is sent to the Grant Administrator either in a letter or an email:

1. Identification:
   Name Address (street and email)
   Telephone number
   E.I. number
   E.I. Discipline: Dressage, Eventing, Driving
   Division: Adult Amateur, Jr/Young Rider, Open/Professional
   
2. In one paragraph describe the educational activity for which funds are being requested. Include date, location, name of instructor(s), hosting organization, event format. Please provide as many details as possible, as this allows the review committee to fairly assess the proposed project.
3. Provide a description of anticipated expenses and requested amount of the grant.
4. In one paragraph explain how this particular educational event will be useful to you, and why you think it is a good use for these educational funds.
5. In one paragraph describe your involvement with the equestrian community (organizations to which you belong, volunteer positions held, etc).
6. In one paragraph describe your involvement with Equestrians' Institute. This is an important part of the application. Please be specific and list all volunteer activities, board positions, etc.

Click here to see a sample completed grant application, and here to see a list of past recipients and their projects.

Then what???
The Grant Administrator selects a group of qualified individuals to review the grant applications. The reviewers are unaware of the identity of the applicants.

The grant applications are scored (0-10) on the following features:

• Grant activity follows accepted standards of equestrian sport (X2)
• Activity is a reasonable use of EI funds
• Activity is doable
• Applicant participates in equestrian community
• Applicant contributes to EI (X2)
• Clarity of application

Click here to see the form used by the reviewers.

The applicant with the highest score will be awarded the grant. Grant money will be awarded after the educational event.

To receive the grant money, the recipient must submit the following to the Grant Administrator:

• Receipts documenting the expenses of the educational activity
• A grant report, including photos, suitable for publication in Flying Changes. This report must also be sent to the E.I. liaison to Flying Changes.

Grant money must be used within 12 months.

If a grant recipient is unable to participate in the educational activity for which the grant was approved, the recipient must contact the Grant Administrator. The grant may be either applied to a different activity or be awarded to the next most qualified applicant from that year's applicant pool.

If you have any questions about this process, contact the Grant Administrator: Beth Glosten 19610 NE 116th Street Redmond, WA 98053, click to , Phone: 425-881-6112