Sandbox Application

Areté is calling for applications to its 2023 cycle of Sandbox Residency Grants. These grants provide resources for the incubation and experimentation in the exploration of a problem space and are envisioned to lead to innovations and creative solutions to some aspect of social life.

Available Grants for 2023

The Sandbox Residency Grant

Calling those who’ve had an idea that they’ve wanted to tinker or play with but were unsure of the outcome. The Sandbox Residency Grant provides first-time applicants with funding for exploring a problem space that may generate innovation and creative solutions within a period of one (1) year. The potential innovation lends itself not only to interdisciplinarity but also to the bridging of bridges across disciplines, displaying how the fields within the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and management may be merged in its possible outcome or expression.

Areté supports collaborations that involve research and incorporate artistic processes and interventions and engage communities outside the academic and artistic worlds.

Sandbox Residency Grant provides successful applicants with the following:

Php 100,000 working capital
Priority use of Eugenio Lopez Jr. Makerspace (3D printers, laser cutters, large format printers, milling machine)
Dedicated workspace in the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Sandbox Zone for the Residency period + A Php 50,000 Areté space-use grant (on top of the dedicated workspace)*
Opportunities to participate in workshops for creative thinking and problem solving

Sandbox Residency Grant application details:

Applications must be submitted by a team comprised of at least three members. Individual applications will not be accepted.
The lead proponent of the project must be a full-time faculty member of Ateneo de Manila University.
Proponents from different disciplines are preferred though not required.
The residency period lasts for one (1) year.

Applicants must provide the following:

CVs of each member of the team
A 1,500 to 2,500-word write-up describing the problem space to be explored. Please present how the project/investigation provides a potential solution or fill an identified knowledge gap. Importantly, please highlight elements of play and experimentation that the team brings in their approach to the problem space.
Present how the project promotes interdisciplinarity
Present how the project could merge the arts and the sciences
Present if the application is in connection with other research grants, or whether the proponents are seeking funding from other sources

Deadline for Submissions: Extended to November 18, 2022

Apply Now

The AIS x Areté Sustainability Sandbox Grant

Young Enough to Save the Planet

An AIS x Areté Sustainability Sandbox for Creative Interventions in Education for Sustainable Development

Background

Children need to be exposed to sustainability at a young age, when their paradigms and habits are developing. It is also a significant period to foster values and attitudes aimed at sustainability. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) empowers learners to “acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to shape a sustainable future” (Leicht et al, 2018). While ESD has traditionally been about teaching children facts about the environment, current approaches focus on teaching them how to “act for change” using a diverse range of pedagogical tools such as problem solving and collaborative decision making (Hedefalk et al 2015). It highlights competencies that are often not the main focus of formal education. These include skills such as systems thinking, collaboration, critical thinking, and problem solving (Leicht et al, 2018).

While there are materials for younger learners using different approaches like storytelling and games (board and video), there is still a considerable lack of learning materials for the Philippine context, tackling issues and featuring examples that are within the everyday experience of young Filipinos. This sandbox hopes to fill the gap for sustainability learning materials that would engage a young Philippine audience in a more meaningful and impactful way.

The Challenge

This AIS x Areté Sandbox challenges educators, designers, and innovators to explore, develop, and test creative sustainability education materials for basic education that can be used in the Philippines. These can be in the form of a book, game, interactive flashcards, and other innovative teaching and learning materials.

Education materials for any topic in the field of sustainability will be accepted but those that are covered by the strategic thrusts of the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability will be prioritized. These thrusts are:

Climate change and climate action
Disaster risk reduction
Urban biodiversity and green spaces
Education for the SDGs

As part of the residency, AIS and Areté will provide the following resources:

P100,000 working capital
A dedicated work area in the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Sandbox Zone
P50,000 venue grant from Areté
Use of the Eugenio Lopez Jr. Makerspace
Opportunity to participate in workshops for creative thinking and problem solving
Mentorship on sustainability concepts and systems thinking
Access to sustainability networks and partners (ex. Sustainable Development Solutions Network-Philippines, ASEAN University Network - Ecological Education and Culture)

In addition to addressing criteria concerning innovation, experimentation, and a merging of arts and sciences that accompanies the Sandbox grant, applicants to this residency must:

Address an existing local gap in sustainability education materials development
Develop a solution that is scalable (can be adopted and customized by other communities);
Evaluate the project through measurable outcomes.

References:

Hedefalk, M., Almqvist, J., Ostman, L., (2015). Education for sustainable development in early childhood education: A review of the research literature. Environmental Education Research, 21(7), 975-990.

Leicht, A., Heiss, J., Byun, W.J. (Eds.). 2018. Issues and Trends in Education for Sustainable Development. UNESCO. Available at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000261954

Deadline for Submissions: Extended to November 18, 2022

Apply Now

Sandbox Residency Renewal Application

Areté invites current Sandbox residents who wish to extend their residency for an additional year to apply for an extension to their current Sandbox grant. These applicants must present the outcomes of their incubation, and describe the opportunities afforded by the extension for further innovation, experimentation, interdisciplinarity, and the merging of arts and sciences.

The Sandbox Residency Renewable Grant provides successful applicants with the following within a period of one (1) year:

Php 100,000 working capital
Priority use of Eugenio Lopez Jr. Makerspace (3D printers, laser cutters, large format printers, milling machine)
Dedicated workspace in the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Sandbox Zone for the Residency period
A Php 50,000 Areté space-use grant (on top of the dedicated workspace)*
Opportunities to participate in workshops for creative thinking and problem solving

Applicants must provide the following:

CVs of each member of the team. Indicate if there are new members.
A 1500-word write-up that presents the updated problem space that the team wishes to explore during the period of extension, given the outcomes, gains, or learnings during the initial incubation period. Importantly, please highlight elements of play and experimentation that the team brings in their renewed exploration of their problem space.
Present how the extension further promotes interdisciplinarity
Present how the project could further the merging of the arts and the sciences
Present if the application is in connection with other research grants, or whether the proponents are seeking funding from other sources
The extension period is for one (1) additional year. Previous recipients of the Sandbox Residency Renewable Grant are ineligible to apply.

Deadline for Submissions: Extended to November 18, 2022

Apply Now