Social Media Guide
Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge Launch
The Science Coalition’s second-annual Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge launches today, September 7. Over the last two years, we have seen the benefit of TSC member universities using their social media channels and on-campus resources to generate entries into the challenge. To repeat and build on this success, we encourage member institutions to engage with us by regularly retweeting @scicoalition and posting content from your respective accounts using the provided social cards.
Recommended hashtags:
§ #FundItForward
§ #ThankstoScience
§ #FundScience
Sample tweets are available below:
§ IT’S BACK: @scicoalition’s #FundItForward Student Video Challenge opens today! Students, tell us why federal investment in science and research is important to you – you could win a cash prize. Get the details here: https://bit.ly/3jNZPrO #ThankstoScience #FundScience
§ NOW OPEN: The #FundItForward Student Video Challenge is back! Whether it’s climate change, space exploration, or a cure for cancer, federal funding for research uniquely impacts each of us. Submit your story to @scicoalition by Oct. 18. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3jNZPrO #ThankstoScience #FundScience
§ Attention students! 🗣 If you’re passionate about science, research, or our country’s #STEM future, check out @scicoalition’s #FundItForward Student Video Challenge. Submit a video and you could earn a cash prize. More info: https://bit.ly/3jNZPrO #ThankstoScience
§ .@[TAG UNIVERSITY]’s partnership with federal research agencies fuels innovation on campus and across the country. Now, it’s your turn to tell Congress why funding for science matters. Enter @scicoalition’s #FundItForward Student Video Challenge by Oct. 18: https://bit.ly/3jNZPrO
§ The #FundItForward Student Video Challenge is back! Earn cash prizes by helping @scicoalition spread the word about why science matters. Get all the details and check out previous winners here: https://bit.ly/3jNZPrO #ThankstoScience
§ The power of a great story can change the world – those stories in turn can increase federal investment in #fundamentalresearch. Students, tell Congress to #FundScience and enter the #FundItForward Student Video Challenge: https://bit.ly/3jNZPrO
BEST PRACTICES FOR ADVERTISING THE SCIENCE COALITION’S
STUDENT VIDEO CHALLENGE ON YOUR CAMPUS
The Science Coalition’s Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge is back! The challenge will be open for submissions from September 7 to October 18, 2021. Previous winners received very favorable attention from their members of Congress, providing an impactful touchpoint for universities and policymakers with the message to support federal funding for research.
Below are tips and best practices to get the word out around your campus. With students back in class and in their labs, now is the perfect time to advertise!
In previous years, the most effective outreach was direct and personal. Asking department heads, student groups, and faculty to share the opportunity with their students, or reaching students directly, got the best return of submissions. Please reach out to the relevant people on your campus now so we receive a robust list of submissions in October.
If you need any additional materials or assistance, please reach out to sciencecoalition@forbes-tate.com.
Social Media Amplification – See the social toolkit from FTP for graphics and suggested posts
§ Regularly post Student Video Challenge-related content on your accounts (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) and ask campus accounts to share on their platforms
§ Tag (@name) undergraduate and graduate student government and interest group accounts to encourage them to share
§ Use hashtags #FundItForward, #ThankstoScience, and #FundScience
§ Example tweet:
o The #FundItForward Student Video Challenge is back! Earn cash prizes by helping @scicoalition spread the word about why science should matter to Congress! Open now until Oct. 18. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3hoGA47 #ThankstoScience
Campus Listservs Including Student Groups – Ask organizers and leaders to share the video challenge information on their listserv, including:
§ Undergraduate student council
§ Graduate student council
§ Science policy or advocacy interest groups
§ Science communication or journalism interest groups
§ Visual or performing arts interest groups
Direct Outreach
§ Student Services staff – Ask to be included in their newsletters to students
§ Department Heads and department student liaisons
§ VP for Research communications lead
§ Undergraduate Research Program heads (REU or other programs)
Below is a template email to guide your outreach:
Hello [Addressee],
I thought this might be an interesting opportunity for [ORGANIZATION NAME], particularly because of your focus on [RELEVANT INTEREST AREA]. Please feel free to share widely and let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
[Your name]
###
Did you know [INSERT UNIVERSITY] is a member of The Science Coalition? Together with research universities across the country, we’re working to spread the word to Congress about why science matters—and we need your help!
The Science Coalition recently launched its third-annual Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge, which is a great opportunity for students and researchers on campus to get involved in science advocacy and earn cash prizes! The challenge is open now until October 18. The power of a great story can change the world, and now more than ever, it’s important we share the value of science to advocate for increased federal funding for research.
Cash prizes from $500 to $1,000 will be awarded to the top three graduate and undergraduate student winners, with an additional opportunity for finalists to earn more through the People’s Choice Award. You don’t have to be a scientist to enter—if you’re passionate about science, we want to hear from you. It’s time to fund it forward.
Enter today! More details can be found on the website, and questions can be directed to tsc@sciencecoalition.org.
Suggested description: The Science Coalition’s (TSC) Fund It Forward Student Video Challenge is an opportunity for students at TSC universities to tell Congress why investment in scientific research matters. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3hvGS8E
