Program:

The NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee (EDAC) has made planning grants available to those educational institutions seeking to enhance ethnic diversity within the profession.   These grants may be awarded to educational institutions under one of the following categories: 

Category 1. Develop various programs intended to recruit, retain and educate ethnically diverse athletic training student with the intent to increase the number of ethnically diverse Certified Athletic Trainers.

Examples may include but are not limited to:

• Encourage the development of CAATE accredited programs at predominantly ethnically diverse institutions of higher education
• On campus career days targeted towards ethnically diverse high school students
• Outreach visits to classes in predominantly ethnic high schools
• Public relations outreach targeting popular publications

Category 2. Disseminate information relating to health care issues and conditions relevant to ethnically diverse populations (sickle cell disease, lactose intolerance, at-risk populations, Blount's Disease, hypertension, et cetera).

Examples may include but are not limited to: 

• Enhance educational sessions at national symposium
• Development of PR materials

Category 3. Enhance the professional development and stature of ethnically diverse Certified Athletic Trainers to better serve the profession (ultimately leading to an increased representation of ethnically diverse leaders at both the district and national level).

Examples may include but are not limited to:

• Promote involvement at the district level
• Promote national committee involvement

Grant:

Grants up to $7,500 may be awarded to each applicant once per calendar year.

Eligibility:

An educational institution may apply for a grant provided that a certified member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) is included in the grant proposal team.

Application Procedure:

Application material should include:

• Cover sheet  (included)
• Completed proposal (please follow the included “Proposal Format”)
• Detailed budget form (included)
• Current curriculum vitae of all applicants and individuals involved with the project
• Letter of support from the academic dean, university president or other appropriate administrator other than the applicant

For ease of distribution, an electronic copy of the application should be sent to the Chair of the NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee, Keith Garnett at papasmurf271@yahoo.com, and to the Grant Committee Chair, Marnie Vanden Noven at marnie.vandennoven@marquette.edu.  An original copy of the application with appropriate signatures should be sent to the NATA office at 2952 Stemmons Freeway, Dallas, TX 75247, attn: Christi Gates.  Final approval will not be awarded until this completed, original application is received.

Evaluation Procedure:

The EDAC Grant Committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending funding of proposals to the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation.  The Grant Committee will review proposals that meet the application requirements for their completeness and determine if the application meets the above criteria.  The general procedures for review include:

• 1. The EDAC Grant Committee Chair will conduct a mechanical review.
• 2. Complete proposals will be distributed to the review committee. 
• 3. The Grant Committee may decide to provide full or partial funding of the proposal.
• 4. The Grant Committee Chair will notify applicants of the status of their proposal.

Criteria:

Need for the project. Preference will be given to proposals that will enhance ethnic diversity within our professional membership and that demonstrate:

• 1. Need for financial support.
• 2. Quality submitted materials.
• 3. Appropriate qualifications of the applicants.

Deadlines:

The review process for grant awards has 3 cycles each year.  The deadlines for receipt of proposals are April 1st, August 1st, and December 1st of each calendar year.

Notification:

The Chair of the EDAC Grant Committee will send a letter to the principal investigator(s) indicating the outcome of the reviews.  Letters are sent in June for proposals submitted for the April 1st cycle, in October for the proposals submitted for the August 1st cycle, and in February for the proposals submitted for the December 1st cycle.