Worsfold Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the fall deadline?

  October 1.

• What is the spring deadline?

  February 15.

• Who was Dr. Victor Worsfold?

  Dr. Victor L. Worsfold was a UT Dallas School of Arts and Humanities faculty member from 1975 to 2001. Dr. Worsfold taught courses in ethics, social and political philosophy, the philosophy of education, and the humanities. For nearly a decade, Dr. Worsfold served as a consultant to the McDermott Scholars Program and as an advisor the scholars. Dr. Worsfold passed away on April 21, 2013, but he will live on forever in the minds of alumni as a treasured member of the McDermott faculty.

  Dr. Victor Worsfold was an inspiring educator and a recipient of the University of Texas Chancellor’s Council Outstanding Teaching Award in 1989.

• Who created the grant?

  The grant was created by the McDermott Scholars Program Alumni Association to honor Dr. Worsfold. Helping UT Dallas students fund creative solutions to important community problems would have made Dr. Worsfold proud.

• Why do I need a letter from a UT Dallas faculty or staff member?

  The grant selection committee would like to see your or your group’s commitment to the project which includes having campus support for the project.

• When is the letter from a UT Dallas faculty or staff member due?

  Fall deadline: October 1
  Spring deadline: February 15

  You may include the letter in your application or have them email us at HonorsCollege@UTDallas.edu. Your application will not be reviewed until complete.

• Should I include the entire budget, even if it is more than $1,500?

  Yes, list the full amount as well as what you are requesting. This allows the grant selection committee to fully understand the nature of your project and its budgetary implications. The explanation of why you need the funds should not be included in the budget.

• When should my timeline start?

  Grant decisions are made in late November, and you will receive a response by December 5 for fall applications. Grant decisions are made in late March and you will receive a response by April 5 for spring applications. You should plan your timeline accordingly. If your project is ongoing, you still need a timeline, and you will need to explain why you need a grant during a current on-going project.

• When will I be notified?

  You will receive a response by December 5 for the fall deadline and April 5 in the spring.

• Will I be notified if I do not receive a grant?

  Yes, we will send an email response by December 5 for the fall deadline and April 5 in the spring.

• When will I receive the funds, if granted?

  You will be notified on December 5 for fall deadline and April 5 for the spring deadline. Disbursement of funds can occur through two channels: 1. Reimbursement: You can purchase the requested supplies, and we can reimburse you. For reimbursement, you will need to provide itemized receipts, and you cannot pay tax. You can get a tax-exempt card from our office. 2. Office Purchase: We can purchase supplies online for you which will require coordination with Traci Rodd.

• What can the grant funds be used on?

  The application requests a proposed budget. Items on this budget may be purchased using grant funding. Items not included are not covered by the grant and should not be purchased using grant funds.

• Why did I not receive a grant?

  Unfortunately we are unable to fund every project requesting support. We suggest that you review your goals, budget, and timeline.

• Why did I not receive the full amount I requested?

  The Worsfold Grants amounts can range from $250 to $1,500 per project and are determined by the committee based on the proposed budget and needs as well as the number of grants being funded each year.

• What should the project report include?

  The narrative portion of the report should include the following (1-3 pages):

  • Description of up to one page of the activities during the reporting period that addresses:
    • a summary of the project and purpose of the grant
    • progress made toward the expected outcomes of the grant
    • setbacks or challenges and how you have addressed them
    • plans and goals for the upcoming reporting period
  • The financial report should include the following:
    • your original budget
    • all of your expenditures for the reporting period (and where they fit within your original budget)
    • plan for remaining budget in accordance with your original budget
    • a narrative explanation of any significant variances between proposed spending and actual spending
  • Photos - please include photos that can be used in publications.
• Why should I include pictures?

  The McDermott Alumni Association sponsors the grant, and they would like to see their funds in action. They would like to use the images in publications to their members as well as on reports and social media.

• Why should I include #worsfoldgrant and #worsfold on social media?

  If you receive a grant, please use the hashtags #worsfoldgrant #worsfold, so that the McDermott Scholars Program Alumni Association sponsors and grant selection committee can see your work as well as feeling appreciated for their generous donations to the grant fund.