Merge pull request #6 from nydiamedina/finaid_launch

Updated grant-applications.md text

config.yml

@@ -38,9 +38,11 @@ event:
   voting_end: "15.02.2025 23:59 CET"
   contact_program: "/to-be-announced/"
   # diversity
-  financial_aid_open: "11.11.2024"
-  financial_aid_close: "01.01.2025"
-  financial_aid_notifications: "01.02.2025"
+  financial_aid_open: "06.12.2024"
+  financial_aid_close: "10.01.2025 23:59 CET"
+  financial_aid_notifications: "14.02.2025"
+  financial_aid_form: "https://forms.gle/u1qAPxQBcQYma9cq7"
+  financial_aid_regional_countries: "Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic/Czechia, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Northern Cyprus, Norway, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Vatican City."
   # committees
   call_for_committee_open: "22.10.2024"
   call_for_committee_close: "01.11.2024"

docs/guidelines/grant-applications.md

@@ -4,9 +4,6 @@ icon: fontawesome/solid/hands-holding-circle
 ---
 # Grant-Applications
 
-!!! warning
-    This document is a work in progress. Please check back later for updates.
-
 !!! note
     ==This is an example for a central European event, other regions may have other requirements.==
 
@@ -16,36 +13,37 @@ As part of our commitment to the wider tech and data science community, we are p
 
 We offer financial aid conference grants in the following categories:
 
-- **Free Ticket:** Get a standard ticket for the conference (in-person or online) at no cost.
-- **Travel and Accommodation Costs (Regional):** We will reimburse travel and accommodation costs up to ==400€==.
-- **Travel and Accommodation Costs (International):** We will reimburse travel and accommodation costs up to ==800€==.
+- **Online Ticket:** Get a standard online ticket for the conference at no cost.
+- **In-person Ticket:** Get a standard in-person ticket for the conference at no cost.
+- **Regional[^1] Travel and Accommodation Costs:** We will reimburse travel and accommodation costs up to ==400€== and additionally offer an on-site ticket.
+- **Intercontinental Travel and Accommodation Costs:** We will reimburse travel and accommodation costs up to ==800€== and additionally offer an on-site ticket.
 
-When applying, we will ask you to estimate your travel and accommodation expenses.
+While applying, we will ask you to estimate your travel and accommodation expenses.
 
 ### Grant Eligibility
 
 Our grants are open to anyone in need of financial aid. The selection process will take into account the following criteria:
 
 - **Economic Factors:**  
-  We aim to ensure that everyone can attend, regardless of their financial situation or income level (e.g., students, unemployed individuals, or those experiencing economic hardship).
+  We aim to ensure that everyone can attend, regardless of their financial situation or income level (e.g., students, unemployed individuals, or those experiencing economic hardships).
 
 - **Diversity:**  
   We are committed to creating the most diverse and inclusive event possible.
 
 - **Contributors:**  
   We value contributions to the community. Whether you are a project contributor or an active community member, your efforts will be considered in the selection process.
 
-If you do not receive an in-person ticket or travel/accommodation reimbursement, you will still be eligible for a free online ticket.
+If you do not receive an in-person ticket or travel/accommodation reimbursement, you will still be considered for a free online ticket.
 
 ### How to Apply
 
-Please complete the financial aid application form.
+Please complete the [Financial Aid application form]({{config.extra.event.financial_aid_form}}).
 
 ### Timeline
 
 - **{{config.extra.event.financial_aid_open}}:** The financial aid grant application opens.
 - **{{config.extra.event.financial_aid_close}}:** Application deadline.
-- **{{config.extra.event.financial_aid_notifications}}:** Applicants will be notified by email about the acceptance or rejection of their application.
+- **{{config.extra.event.financial_aid_notifications}}:** Applicants will be notified by email about the acceptance or rejection at the latest by this date.
 
 Grants need to be accepted (or rejected) within seven days of notification.
 
@@ -59,21 +57,23 @@ Grants involving reimbursements will be processed based on approved receipts (e.
 
 **Please note:**
 
-- The maximum grant amount will not exceed ==400€/800€==, depending on the category.
+- The maximum grant amount will not exceed ==400€/800€== per person, depending on the category.
 - If the grant is not accepted within the specified deadline, it will be considered rejected.
 - Only approved invoices will be reimbursed.
 - Reimbursements before the conference or via other means, such as cash, are not possible.
-- Grants are only available to registered attendees who will be attending the conference in person.
+- Travel and accommodation grants are only available to registered attendees who will be attending the conference in person.
 - Grants are non-transferable.
 
 As part of our efforts to reduce the conference's carbon footprint, we encourage attendees to use trains rather than airplanes when possible. Air travel will not be reimbursed if alternative transportation options are easily available. This will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please consider this when estimating your travel costs.
 
 ### Become a Diversity Sponsor
 
-You or your company can support our diversity initiative by becoming a sponsor. We offer a special "Diversity Sponsor" option that can be booked separately or included in our sponsor packages. For more details, please refer to the sponsor brochure or contact our sponsorship team.
+You or your company can support our diversity initiative by becoming a sponsor. We offer a special "Diversity Sponsor" option that can be booked separately or included in our sponsor packages. For more details, please refer to our Sponsors page or contact our sponsorship team.
 
 ---
 
 Thank you, and we look forward to seeing you at {{config.extra.event.event_name}}.
 
----
+---
+
+[^1]: {{config.extra.event.financial_aid_regional_countries}}