Community Partners Program, MENTOR Network Charitable Foundation

This national network of local human services providers is committed to transforming the delivery of human services through the generation of new ideas and best practices. The focus is on organizations that take a fresh look through research, innovative thinking, direct care and programming at how people with disabilities, adults and children with acquired brain injuries, and youth and families facing emotional, behavioral, and other challenges are cared for in society. In addition to providing significant support for research that will impact the communities it serves, grants are provided to the following types of organizations and individuals:

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that offer community-based services and programs to individuals with similar abilities and challenges as those served by The Network;
• Individual young people who are served by The Network's programs and are on the path to self-sufficiency; and
• Charities that benefit from the community service of The Network's employees.
  For more information, go to www.thementornetwork.com/foundation or contact Sarah E. Magazine at 617-790-4801 or sarah.magazine@thementornetwork.com.

I Can Do It, You Can Do It! Request for Proposals
Deadline for Applications: November 19, 2008

This mentoring program for children and young adults with disabilities encourages regular physical activity and good nutrition during and/or after school. The program utilizes the President's Challenge Program as an incentive for participating in at least 30 minutes of physical activity for 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Eight contracts will be awarded to organizations that agree to implement local I Can Do It, You Can Do It! programs.

Requests should be addressed to Dr. Robert Arnhold, Director, Adapted Physical Activity Program, Room 15 Stoner Instructional Complex, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057; 724-738-2847; robert.arnhold@sru.edu.

Universal Design Leadership Project, FY2009 Cooperative Agreement, National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Closing Date: February 19, 2009

The NEA seeks an organization that will carry out a project to increase understanding, acceptance, and practice of universal design within the design profession, by design educators, and by the American public. Proposed projects should focus on extending the appeal of universal design from the disability community into the mainstream of American design and American society. The project should educate designers and others including developers, city planners, and consumers.

For more information, go to http://www.nea.gov/grants/apply/RFP/UnivDesign.html or contact 202-682-5400 (phone), 202-682-5496 (voice/TTY), or webmgr@arts.endow.gov.

2009 Directors New Innovator Award Program (DP2) Grant, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Closing Date: May 27, 2009

This program was created in 2007 to support a small number of new investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative new research approaches that have the potential to produce a major impact on broad, important problems in biomedical and behavioral research. The Awards complement ongoing efforts by NIH and its Institutes and Centers to fund new investigators through R01 grants, which continue to be the major sources of NIH support for new investigators.

For more information, go to http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=43216.

2009 Directors Pioneer Award Program (DP1) Grant, National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Closing Date: May 15, 2009

This program complements NIH's traditional, investigator-initiated grant programs by supporting individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose pioneering and possibly transformative approaches to addressing major biomedical or behavioral challenges. To be considered pioneering, the proposed research must reflect ideas substantially different from those already being pursued in the investigator's laboratory or elsewhere. The NIH Directors Pioneer Award Program is a High-Risk Research initiative of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.

For more information, go to http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&flag2006=false&oppId=43217.

Inclusion Champion Award, Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF)
Deadline: December 1, 2008

The MEAF, which works to help young people with disabilities to lead full and productive lives, is accepting nominations for its Inclusion Champion Award. The award honors individuals who have made significant efforts to promote the full inclusion of youth with disabilities in society. The Award will be presented during the Kids Included Together annual conference in March 2009. The award consists of a trophy and $1,000 donated to the charity of the champion's choice.

For more information, go to http://www.meaf.org/grants-inclusion.php#incchamp or contact 703-276-8240 or info@kitonline.org.

Bikes Belong Facility and Advocacy Grants
Deadline for Applications: November 24, 2008

The Bikes Belong Coalition welcomes grant applications from organizations and agencies within the United States that are committed to putting more people on bicycles more often. The Bikes Belong Grants Program funds projects in two categories: Facilities and Advocacy. All proposals must encourage ridership growth, support bicycle advocacy, promote bicycling, build political support, leverage funding, and serve diverse regions/populations.

For more information, call 303-449-4893.