2010 Funding Guidelines

The  Loss Prevention Education Grant program is intended for academic institutions with risk management programs that are interested in creating either undergraduate course curricula or a graduate course to provide future risk managers with a greater understanding of the value of engineering in loss prevention.     

With the growth of the global economy, and as many organizations become increasingly interdependent across borders, risks to many entities have grown rapidly as have the financial consequences of loss.  In economically trying times, sound loss prevention methods become especially important as many organizations are under increasing pressure to do more with less, facing more scrutiny by their stakeholders to operate responsibly and develop sustainable and winning long-term business strategies that minimize operational risks. 

Unfortunately, for many students pursuing studies in risk management, current loss prevention-related academic course material is scant and often outdated at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  Risk management courses that focus on the value of engineering in loss prevention often do not exist or are not as robust as many institutions of higher learning, or their students, would prefer.  With the benefit of relevant and the most up-to-date course materials, these students will be better prepared to meet the challenges of the organizations that one day will employ them. 

As such, this grant program gives colleges and universities financial backing to take a leading role in loss prevention advocacy.  This in turn has the promise to make their collegiate programs even more competitive.

Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc.’s Loss Prevention Education Grant Program is being underwritten by FM Global, one of the world’s largest business property insurers (www.fmglobal.com).

In 2010, the program will award two grants of up to US$50,000* each for either:

1. Development of one to three undergraduate modules of 50 to 75 minutes each in length, that aim to increase students’ understanding of how loss prevention engineering helps manage risk effectively
   
   
2. Development of a graduate loss prevention course curriculum for students studying risk management
   
   

*Up to ten percent of the grant may be spent by a recipient on expenses.  No matching funds are required by the grant recipient.

C.          Eligibility Requirements

Grant applicants must represent colleges or universities with a formal risk management curriculum. 

Applicants may represent institutions of higher learning located anywhere in the world.

In addition, for the undergraduate module activity, a team of up to three educators representing various colleges or universities may apply for one grant.  All applicants or applicant teams should have a risk management program at their respective academic institution(s).

Grant recipients agree to:

• Complete all curricula or course development work within one year of receiving the grant.
  
  
• Implement their program by the September 2012 semester
  
  
• Formally report on progress (see below)

D.          Application Process and Deadline

All applicants must complete the accompanying grant application form. All proposals will be treated as confidential documents.

Grant applications are due by 5 p.m. ET  January 31, 2010.   

Applicants should send completed applications via e-mail or hard copy to:

FM Global Grant Committee

Spencer Educational Foundation, Inc.

1065 Avenue of the Americas, 13^th Floor

New York, NY  10018
or  Angela Sabatino at asabatino@spencered.org