Clark IDCE

In anticipation of the Congressional interest in new and creative urban policy initiatives and the need for the national administration’s attention to the domestic agenda, Clark University (Worcester, MA), Community Development Training Institute (Newport, RI), Freddie Mac (Washington, DC), University of Massachusetts Amherst (Amherst, MA), and the National Community Development Association are seeking the submission of proposals to a National Urban Initiatives Competition.

We are seeking proposals that have practicality, creativity and are well rooted in theory. Proposals should translate from theory to model or vice versa. For example, an exemplary existing project or activity can be transformed or explained by a generic model that is well rooted in theory. Furthermore, it should be feasible to enact into new legislation. Moreover, this is neither an academic exercise nor a best practice competition. Although we are seeking proposals for the domestic urban agenda, we recognize that there have been foreign literature, projects and activities proposed, especially in developing countries, and we encourage innovations that may embrace some of these successful models.

An award of $20,000 will be given to winners in each of the three categories. The categories are:
1) affordable and sustainable housing,
2) neighborhood based economic development and
3) financial services to low income communities.

There will also be three $2,500 cash awards given to the second place winners of each category. Total awards will amount to over $65,000.

The process is simple and it is designed to be both fair and relatively easy compliance with competition guidelines while maintaining high academic integrity. Among the award criteria the key ones are creatively balanced with utility. A two step competitive process will be followed so that extensive work is not necessary prior to an initial screening of proposal abstracts.

Eligible Applicants

All applicants must be from an institution of higher education (this includes junior colleges), which must team with one or more of a local government entity and/or a non-profit organization. Teams partially comprised of students are encouraged. Examples of applicant partnerships are the following:

Judging Criteria

Originality/creativity
Logic of position/theory
Quality of research (including evidence of innovation, review of literature and best practices, general theoretical basis and support for argument)
Practicality/utility – a policy that could be easily translated into Federal or State legislation and ultimate programmatic implementation
Financial feasibility for legislative implementation
Range of participants (e.g. students, city officials, non-profit board members, etc.)
Qualifications of team
Quality of overall proposal
Consistency with the United States Conference of Mayors’ “10 point plan”

Schedule

September 2007 - RFP/Call for Papers is issued
January 25, 2008 - Submission of Step I proposals are due
February 1 - March 14, 2008 - Step I of judging
March 15, 2008 - Applicants are notified of Step I decisions
June 30, 2008 - Submission of the finalists’ full Step II proposals are due
July 1 - July 31, 2008 - Final judging
August 1, 2008 - The three winners and second place winners are announced
September 18, 2008 - 6:30 PM Conferees' Reception at Clark University Tilton Hall
September 19, 2008 - 9:00 AM to 4 PM Award Conference at Clark University Tilton Hall

Download the NATIONAL URBAN INITIATIVES COMPETITION 'call for papers' applicant package.
For more information and RFP guidelines, please contact Mark Tigan or Megan Reagon.

NATIONAL URBAN INITIATIVES COMPETITION

$60,000 AWARD - 3 WINNERS

Eligible Applicants

Judging Criteria

Schedule

Download the Brochure: Page 1, Page 2.

Download the Applicant Package.

Sponsors