Microgrants/Applications

Grants Project grants (£5–250) or Partnership Funding (£250 and upwards) Scholarships Evaluation Panel

Please submit your application at the bottom of this page, using the format shown by the example.

Example

Overview

A description of what you want the microgrant for should go here.

Budget

How much money are you asking for, and what do you want to spend it on?

Expected outcomes

What will this microgrant let you do? What will be the measurable outcomes?

Who I am

If this is your first microgrant, then please let us know a little about you - where you're based (roughly), which projects you are involved in and any experience you have that is related to this microgrant activity.

Discussion

Smart Phone

Overview

In the last three days Derby Museums have "taken a punt" in supporting Wikimedia further. There was discussion concerning "wouldn't it be great" if museums used Wikipedia to make their labels. Some said "they'll never allow it" others said "the small museums use our stuff but don't attribute it"... one said "Why don't they use QRCodes?.....we can never find a museum to try it" (not exact quotes of what was said) Using the collaboration of a number of people (including wikimedians) we created some QR Codes and Derby Museums offered to demo it. Even though we did not have a phone to check them we have mounted these codes in part of the museum yesterday. The phone that is being requested is not for making calls. It is intended to be a phone we offer to the museum so that their staff can show (and see for themselves) how this technology works. Its not a reward (although they deserve it). Making the phone a lend is fine. I would like to leave it to our judgement, but maybe we could assure you that it is anticipated that it would be back in our hands in three months (maybe a lot less and only more after checking back with you).

Budget

Somewhere between 80 and 100 pounds (max).

Expected outcomes

That the experiment at Derby Museums with QR Codes is well supported by curatorial staff. That it is likely that wikimedia collaboration with Derby gets further coverage (one blog already about the techno aspect). It may be that wikipedians will feel inspired to write new articles just so that they can click on the QR code. Raises the profile of GLAM DERBY to not being a "regional" event. Staff will demo the technology of accessing wikipedia to the visitors. Maybe the museum will decide to QRCODE more of its collection. See Allenton hippo picture for an example (article co written by a curator).

Who I am

Some of you know me; DYKs are my main claim to fame as I help to run the system. Currently I'm involved with GLAM and wikimedia. I presented a talk at the British Museum conference last year. Victuallers 11:27, 5 February 2011 (UTC)

Discussion

Me too, unfortunately I couldn't get the relevant .jars working on my 4 year old mobile - some sort of pre-configured solution on a lend for part of the discussion and workshops in the British Library (and others) would be useful if only to illustrate the Derby story of turning a conventionally public exhibit into an interactive one at minimal cost. Maybe if one of the mobile companies knew what we were up to they would lend us a bit of kit gratis? Fæ 22:41, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

I'm happy to give preliminary approval for this application, given its strategic benefits and the likelihood that the phone could be reused for other purposes in the future, although Tango may disagree. Please could you pin down which pay-as-you-go phone would be needed to do this, and how much it would cost? Thanks. Mike Peel 22:03, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

Thx Mike ... one example phone is here which is just under 100. If we have to be specific then this could be it, but obviously if there is a clone at 70 then I'd like the freedom to buy it instead? Victuallers 10:30, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Sorry for the delay in replying. I've been giving this a lot of thought. I'm not convinced the phone itself is really worth it (so many people own such phones already that I would have thought the museum could borrow one from a staff member or someone), but it might help cement our relationship with them and create more opportunities in the future. So, for that reason, I'm going to support it. I would like to restrict it to a 3 month loan, that should be plenty of time for the museum's purposes. After that, it would be great if we can lend the phone to another museum for the same kind of project. Would you be interested in taking responsibility for that? --Tango 03:52, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

Will do. Thanks Tango and Mike Victuallers 22:02, 28 February 2011 (UTC)

Wifi solution

Overview

This question was raised by English Heritage as they may be able to host an event on an interesting site but might not be able to supply wifi in some historic locations. If WMUK were to supply a (realistic) technical solution this might make an simple format for local edit-a-thons more re-usable. We might need to test out possible solutions first as an event where 12 people turn up with laptops would be a disaster if the connection speed were super-sucky-slow (which is my understanding of how the majority of such mobile kit performs).

Budget

No idea, open to options on the potential solution which might be a hire as needed rather than capital requirement. Tentatively £100 capital plus £15 connection fees per event.

Expected outcomes

The ability to run edit-a-thons or other types of interactive workshops (such as in-house preparation) hosted by GLAMs who have difficulty supplying free wifi or where such a solution may be an important back-up plan.

Who

I'm working with GLAMs on future events as a de facto Ambassador (Ferrero Rocher not included) in advance of a register for these sort of things. Fæ 22:40, 15 February 2011 (UTC)

Discussion

Support. We need portable wifi or knowledge of how to rent it for a weekend. Victuallers 23:51, 16 February 2011 (UTC)

In general, this is a great idea, but we need to narrow down the technical possibilities. I think there's two cases:

1. Where there's a network connection/ethernet available, we could make use of a wireless router to share internet between participants
2. Where there's no network connection, but there is a good 3G mobile phone signal, we could use 3G dongles or a 3G router to provide internet access

Which of these is most likely, and would be the best to provide for? Or is there a third option? Mike Peel 20:52, 17 February 2011 (UTC)

Wireless repeaters are a third option where there is Wifi, but its too weak to be reliable or covers only one end of the building. These look very cheap, (10-30 pounds) but never installed one. Victuallers 08:23, 22 February 2011 (UTC)

Trivia night and activities of student club to June 2011

Overview

Wikipedians at Imperial College, an official society within Imperial College Union, would like to apply for a microgrant to hold an event St. Patrick's day 17th March 2011 in conjunction with IC Irish society modelled on the trivia night held by Wikipedians at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, at the time of the 10th anniversary http://ten.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Arbor,_MI. They gave out prizes to winners and also Wikipedia memorobilia to all attendees. The event was shown to be a success at the UM http://www.umich.edu/~umwiki/. We will publicise and explain about the society. In addition to this, we would like to publicise for the "Wikipedia academy" planned for April http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/London_Wikipedia_Academy.

Budget

£150-200 as a preliminary guess - prizes and free memorabilia (possibly free food and drink)as was the case at the UM event. We are open to suggestions from the foundation as what will work, and what will be an appropriate amount of money for this. For all events for this academic year our current estimates are: printing for publicity (posters etc.) £30, prizes £60, food and drink £40, memorobilia £30

Expected outcomes

We would like to get a demonstrable number of people to become members of the society on the day, try and begin edit groups on select subjects and to raise awareness about the society and Wikipedia in general. The number of attendees would be recorded.

Who I am

My name is Vinesh Patel, I'm hoping to to be the president of the future Society and am working in collaboration with our future Treasurer for this academic year, Rashad Jurangpathy.

Discussion

This in an interesting idea. We would like to limit costs as much as possible (or eliminate them entirely if we can). We can give you some free Wikipedia t-shirts for prizes, if that would help. What kind of memorabilia did you have in mind? Perhaps we could buy some things in bulk and you could have some of them. I'm not sure about food and drink, though... it might be better if you asked for a couple of quid from each attendee to cover food and drink. --Tango 22:24, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

I think that the blue Wikipedia T-shirts (which we currently have some supply of now) would be good - we may need about 40 more. I can understand about food and drink, we may organise separate payment for this. If possible, could we get a broad outline of how much we would be eligible for this academic year (i.e. to June 2010) regarding the events we describe above, by Wednesday 2nd March? That is when our presentation to the Union is and they like to have an idea about how funding can be achieved.Vinnypatel 12:51, 25 February 2011 (UTC)

BL photocopies

Overview

I have been asked to copy a music score at the British Library (here) which appears to be out of copyright so that a performance of the piece can be created by Adam Cuerden and released on Commons.

I would like this to be an ongoing request for any other photocopies within reason (if there are any). I think there is a pre-paid system so I might be able to buy, say, £10 worth and make it clear on en:WP:REX that I can help anyone with photocopies in the future though it might take me a few weeks to get around to each request. For accountability it might be an idea to log usage here on the microgrant page so people can see how the money is being spent and check the associated outcomes. If the total spend on British Library photocopies/scans for the year stays under £50 and on any occasion the spend is less than £5, I doubt there is any benefit of going down the route of sending in individual receipts etc.

• Prepaid £5, this has to be to the reader card number but you do get a receipt. Used to copy key figures from Alfred Cross's 1906 Public Baths and Wash Houses and in the process of loading these to Commons:Category:Alfred Cross. For information, a large USB stick enabled A3 colour specialist book scanner is available in the Science reading room on floor 2, so this is an ideal reading room to reserve books for (even staff in the specialist copy room seem confused as to what public scanners are available). Fæ 10:22, 13 May 2011 (UTC)

Budget

8 pages @ 22p per B&W photocopied page or 34p per colour A3 spread (puts it on a USB stick).

Expected outcomes

As above. This first request will help create a shared performance of the music and be added to the associated Wikipedia article.

Who I am

en:User:Fæ.

Discussion

London Wikipedia academy

Overview

The academy http://uk.wikimedia.org/wiki/London_Wikipedia_Academy being organised by Wikipedians at Imperial College requires appropriate publicity and a hospitable environment for discussion on the night. We hope to do this at the lowest cost possible, without compromising on the night itself. After further publicity, we aim for 40 people on the night. We will buy food and drink with long sell-by dates in order to allow use in any future events.

Budget

Colour Printing: £5 All posters are only using approved. We will happily share these posters with other societies although they obviously show the specifics of our event. We have been careful to apply trademark protocol as discussed with Jay Walsh and Michelle Paulson at the foundation.

Blu-tack:£2

Food for 40 people: Snacks only - biscuits and crisps £20

Drink for 40 people: (no alcohol) Orange Juice and water £10

Cups and tissues: £3

Total £40.

Expected outcomes

A great many academic and library contacts for Wikimedia UK in London, and an opportunity to further our student society. Most importantly, an exploration of the issues of higher education and Wikipedia today, as well as the description of the Campus Ambassadors program to many UK academics.

Who I am

Vinnypatel 23:11, 31 March 2011 (UTC)

Discussion

• Sounds good to me! Johnbod 15:51, 3 April 2011 (UTC)
• Support. We now have a set of 'Welcome to Wikipedia' leaflets (thanks to the WMF); we can send some of these along to this event if they would be useful. Mike Peel 21:03, 4 April 2011 (UTC)
• Approved. We need to discuss how you are going to fund your activities in the long-term, though. I don't think doing everything through individual microgrant requests is sustainable... --Tango 19:58, 10 April 2011 (UTC)

University of Manchester Outreach - 14th July 2011

Overview

After the success of the Imperial College collaboration between myself and Vinesh Patel, I am hoping to recreate this with the University of Manchester, as their Information Skills Co-ordinator is looking to collaborate with us. The purpose of this meeting would be to establish what kinds of collaboration the library is interested in. However, the initial email exchange indicates that they would be interested in the following:

• Creating a student-run Wikipedia Society
• Donating materials to our archives
• Participating in 'Wikipedia Surgeries' - where students could learn how to use Wikipedia productively with regards to their studies.
• Engaging the academic community of the university in Wikipedia-related projects (e.g. donating information and expertise to the project)

Update

The library's information department are very keen on this and they will all be attending. A full presentation will be given on what we can offer them and what we would like them to offer us

Budget

• £38.90 - For train tickets for me to travel from Coventry to Manchester for the day

• £30.00 - Although I am not looking for a job with Wikimedia UK (I know you're not advertising), I also know from my experience with Imperial College that supporting the growth of a Wikipedian Society is a full-time position. For this reason I am asking for compensation for my time whilst I am away from home and 'selling' to the colleges.

Promoting and supporting these societies involves at the very least the following:

• Creating and organising presentations to show to academics/librarians/students to 'sell' Wikipedia
• Creating leaflets to be handed out to the student population
• Organising Wikipedians for more formal events (e.g. a fresher's fair stall or a leafleting campaign)
• Teaching students/faculty how to use Wikipedia as a representative of project as a whole
• Organising GLAM-style events to gain access to the organisation's historical archives etc.

Though many of these things can and should be developed by committee, the committee still requires a leading hand and this is a task I am more than willing to undertake. After my success collaborating with Vinesh at Imperial College, I have no doubt that this project will also be a success which, if anything like Imperial College, will gain good press and standing for Wikimedia UK as a whole.

Expected outcomes

I expect that the initial meeting will provide us with a clear indication of what the university is willing to provide as well as a clear map of how to go forward with this collaboration. I anticipate that the university will want leaflets and other media from us, and that we will also be able to arrange dates for 'Wikipedia Surgeries' as well as open up the possibility of having a stall at the fresher's fair on campus. I also expect that the initial meeting will provide us with contacts within the university with which we can expand the inital project (e.g. enthusiastic academics willing to support Wikipedia/a student group)

Who I am

Hello! I am User:Panyd on the English Wikipedia. I applied for many microgrants for Imperial College, but that was with the old board. I am a very enthusiastic Wikipedian with a knack for selling. If you have any questions about my involvement with Imperial or what I hope to acheive both at or after Manchester University, please feel free to email me or put something in the discussion board here.

Discussion

Sounds great to me! The Land 12:35, 7 July 2011 (UTC)

Happy to approve the travel element; I'll have to get back to you on the other part, though... Mike Peel 18:43, 9 July 2011 (UTC)

More than fair enough :) Panyd 22:57, 9 July 2011 (UTC)

University of Liverpool Outreach - 21st July 2011

This is much the same as the above with a few bits and bobs added in the budget and overview section

Overview

After the success of the Imperial College collaboration between myself and Vinesh Patel, I am hoping to recreate this with the University of Liverpool, as their Head of Academic Liaison is looking to collaborate with us. The purpose of this meeting would be to establish what kinds of collaboration the library is interested in. However, the initial email exchange indicates that they would be interested in the following:

• Creating a student-run Wikipedia Society
• Donating materials to our archives
• Participating in 'Wikipedia Surgeries' - where students could learn how to use Wikipedia productively with regards to their studies.
• Engaging the academic community of the university in Wikipedia-related projects (e.g. donating information and expertise to the project)

Expected outcomes

I expect that the initial meeting will provide us with a clear indication of what the university is willing to provide as well as a clear map of how to go forward with this collaboration. I anticipate that the university will want leaflets and other media from us, and that we will also be able to arrange dates for 'Wikipedia Surgeries' as well as open up the possibility of having a stall at the fresher's fair on campus. I also expect that the initial meeting will provide us with contacts within the university with which we can expand the inital project (e.g. enthusiastic academics willing to support Wikipedia/a student group)

Budget

• Transport - £21.00 for a return for the day
• Executive Summary Leaflets - £35.08 for 25 8-page leaflets for the attendees detailing what Wikimedia would like to do. For a copy of the leaflets please email me.
• Per Diem Expenses - This would be £30 to cover costs and an alternative to sending in individual receipts. Costs include eating, bus fare, etc.

Who I am

Hello! I am User:Panyd on the English Wikipedia. I applied for many microgrants for Imperial College, but that was with the old board (and above of course!). I am a very enthusiastic Wikipedian with a knack for selling. If you have any questions about my involvement with Imperial or what I hope to acheive both at or after Manchester University, please feel free to email me or put something in the discussion board here.

Discussion