Introduction

AIM

S.M.E.F. Travel grant program is designed specifically to assist students from Brick Group of Institutes to travel across the country experiencing and documenting architecture, people and places. The grant is not for the purpose of doing research for an advanced academic degree. Instead, S.M.E.F. intends the recipient to study by travel and contemplation while observing, reading, writing, or sketching.

Objectives:

  • To see and experience architecture, landscapes and cultures firsthand
  • To think and grow as a professional
  • To acquire knowledge useful for the recipient’s future work, contribution to their profession, and contribution to society
  • To build the in-house database of documentation.

Defining conditions:

The S.M.E.F Travel Grant will be Rs.15,000 and will cover expenses incurred by the student during his travel and documentation. The award is yearly, is non-renewable and award amounts may vary in future years. The grant is proposal based and if the proposal is for an amount less than the award amount, then the amount disbursed will be as stated in the proposal. The Grant is intended as supplemental funding only. The grant amount will be disbursed in three instalments. Projects must have clearly defined goals, work plans, and budgets.
The entire process of Travel and documentation should be completed within one year from the date of declaration of the grant recipient. In case, under unavoidable circumstances, the work is not completed within one year, the recipient has to present the reasons and future plan about completing the work in front of the panel. The panel will then decide the course of action as deemed fit. The decision of the panel would be final.

Reporting Requirements:

The S.M.E.F travel grant recipient will be expected to keep an online journal during his travel days by posting to a Blog. The blog posts will document the recipient’s travels in text and images, including photographs, video, drawings, or other media. This record will be used by the S.M.E.F Travel Grant Jury Panel to approve payment distribution.
The recipient will submit the following as a final output his travels and documentation.

  • A compiled report of the travel and documentation work done for the Brick Archive.
  • Set of drawings and photographs which were not compiled in the report
  • A summary of 1000 words stating how the travel grant and the process contributed in changing his perception and understanding of built environments and culture. How the study will influence their future works.

Intellectual rights:

Intellectual Property Rights of all work will be with the recipient, however if the work is to be published in form of an article, research paper in any media, the recipient should acknowledge S.M.E.F Grant support in all published media. Also, S.M.E.F has the right to publish the submitted work in any form , or use the work for further research and teaching, giving due credit to the author.

Method

Eligibility for applying:

  • Students from any year of S.M.E.F’s Brick Group of Institutes studying in Graduate program in Architecture or Diploma Program in Research Driven Interior Design
  • Students can jointly apply in a group. The maximum number of students per group restricted to three. This would be considered as one application only.
  • The Student must not have previously availed of he S.M.E.F Travel Grant.
  • Travel Grant will not support course-related work, such as studio trips, or settlement study trip

Requirement for Application:

The Proposals should include

  • One copy of the completed application form
  • The statement of purpose and destination of your trip.
  • Brief statement about the significance of the travel to your studies, career goals, and professional development.
  • A budget (transportation, lodging, and daily expenses)

SCHEDULE :

Sr. No.
Important Dates
Details
1.
June 15
Submission of Work of earlier recipient
2.
July First Week
Application Period for current academic year
3.
July Second Week
Jury panels meet to screen applications
4.
August 22 (Founder's Day)
Declaration of Travel grant recipient
Presentation of work from earlier Travel Grant Recipient

Consideration of Applications:

The The Jury Panel will consist of :

  • Pooja Misal

    Executive Director
    S.M.E.F’S Brick Group of Institutes.
  • Poorva Keskar
P
    rincipal –in-charge
    S.M.E.F’S Brick School of Architecture
  • Girish Doshi

    Design Chair
  • Anand Iyer
    Academic Co-ordinator
  • Yatin Moghe

    Head of Department, RDID

Parameters for adjudication

The following are the criteria used by S.M.E.F’s panel for adjucating the applications.
A basic 10 point rating is used with the following breakdown:

Stage
Criteria
Points
I
Originality: the project demonstrates an innovative, challenging idea; critical, independent thinking or experimental approach.
3 points
II
Potential for impact: the project makes a meaningful contribution to the field; expands knowledge; is a catalyst for future inquiry.
4 points
III
Feasibility: the project has realistic goals, timeframe, work plan, and budget.
2 points
IV
Capacity: If the applicant possesses strong qualifications and/or knowledge; demonstrates ability to carry out the project successfully.
1 points

Disbursal

An amount of up to Rs.15,000 can be claimed within one year from the date of announcement of Travel grant in 3 instalments upon completion of the requirements at each stage :

Stage
Requirements
Amount
I
Complete Proposal with Aims, Objectives, Method and Schedule.
Rs 6000
II
At the Proposal Stage
Rs 4000
III
Submission of Final Report And Summary
Rs 5000