Working with GeoALS on a grant¶
This toolkit is for investigators and organizations preparing a proposal to a private foundation or a government agency who want geographic analysis, maps or community reach in the project. It describes ways GeoALS could take part, offers starter ideas, and supplies language to adapt.
These are examples for planning a partnership. Confirm scope, availability, rates and organizational approval with GeoALS before naming it as a partner or submitting a commitment. Shaded brackets mark template fields to complete.
How the toolkit is organized¶
- Choose a role. The table below describes arrangements GeoALS could enter.
- Find an idea. Grant starter ideas lists project aims with a geographic component.
- Adapt the language. Proposal language has organizational description, approach, facilities, data management and expertise text.
- Build the budget. Budget and letters has budget justification text and letter templates.
- Send the request. The request checklist lists what an applicant would send GeoALS and what GeoALS would provide in return.
Ways to include GeoALS¶
| Arrangement | When it fits | What to agree with the partner | What the proposal needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subaward or subcontract | GeoALS leads an aim or a substantial part of one | A scope of work, key personnel, deliverables and a budget | Subrecipient documents, budget and justification, letter of commitment |
| Consulting arrangement | The project needs defined expertise for a limited number of hours | Named expertise, tasks, hours and engagement terms | Consultant line in the budget, a letter stating role and rate |
| Fee-for-service mapping | The project needs a defined product: a map series, a dashboard, a geocoding and linkage run | A quote with deliverables and schedule | A services line in the budget and the quote |
| Community engagement partner | The project needs input from, or dissemination to, people living with ALS and their caregivers | Outreach through GeoALS channels and the Mappers, and review of materials | Engagement budget line, letter of support |
| Letter of support only | GeoALS endorses the project and will share public tools, without funded effort | A letter describing the relevance of the project and the public resources available | A summary of the project |
| Expert-led training | A team needs practical mapping, StoryMaps or research skills | A tailored curriculum, instructor time, exercises and follow-up | Training scope, audience, deliverables, schedule and budget |
| Advisory role | The project wants geographic expertise on a steering or advisory committee | A named representative | Honorarium line if the funder allows |
Confirm applicant and subrecipient eligibility with the funder and prospective partners.
Build skills with GeOALS experts¶
Include expert-led training as a project in its own right or as a work package in a grant. Options include StoryMaps workshops, GIS orientation, dashboard training, environmental linkage methods, data standards and location privacy. Formats can range from a single session to a short course or project mentoring.
Expertise to consider¶
Match the project to the expertise it needs, then confirm the availability and role of each contributor. Relevant areas include:
- GIS analysis and cartography
- ArcGIS application development: hubs, dashboards, surveys and story maps
- Epidemiology and real world evidence
- Biomedical informatics, common data models and ontologies
- Environmental data and exposure linkage
- Health services research and access to care
- Lived experience of ALS, caregiving and advocacy
- Legislative and policy mapping
Project arrangements¶
Agree on the scope, staffing, budget, indirect costs, data access, review process and publication plan before submission. Use the funder's requirements and the participating organizations' approved terms. Consult the location privacy guidance and map attribution guidance when drafting the methods and dissemination plan.
Learn about GeoALS¶
For information about GeoALS and its current work, visit geoals.org.