2013 Learning and Teaching Grant: Request for Proposals

The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching is offering faculty and staff awards of up to $1,000 in Professional Development Funds to support research on learning and teaching, and/or dissemination of pedagogical research at a major academic or professional conference. Funds awarded in Spring of 2013 will be disbursed to departments by the end of April and must be used or encumbered by the end of the fiscal academic year. Proposals are due electronically to Brooke Myrman at the CELT office (bmyrman@csuchico.edu) by Friday, March 29, 2013 at 5 PM.  Click here to download application materials.

Who may apply?

All faculty, both part-time and tenure-track, and staff may apply. 

What sort of funding is available?

• Professional Development Funds to defray costs related to research on learning and teaching, and/or dissemination of pedagogical research at a major academic or professional conference.  The spending of these funds is limited to items listed in the CSUC PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDS PROCEDURES form.
• Non-consumable materials and equipment needed for a pedagogical research project that are beyond the ability of a college, department, or program to provide, and are not provided elsewhere on campus (Note: You must check with Academic Technologies (ATEC) on campus in advance of submitting your proposal to have any technology issues, concerns or questions addressed.)

What types of proposals are funded?

This call is for research proposals that will further knowledge and best practices around learning and teaching.  These small grants can be used to defray the costs of conducting research, analyzing results, or presenting results at a professional/academic conference. NOTE: Proposals may include travel related to pedagogical projects or conferences that already are in progress or have been completed this academic year.

Successful proposals articulate the expected improvement of student learning with reference to current pedagogical thought—whether via reference to scholarly pedagogical literature or by framing within proven successful programs/initiatives, such as the AAC&U LEAP High-Impact Practices, Universal Design for Learning, the CSU Chancellor’s Office Scholarly Teaching ideals, the CSU Chico Rubric for Online Instruction, or the Catalyst Quality Online Learning and Teaching program. One free source for ideas is the CSU Institute for Teaching and Learning (ITL) Newsletter.

Please seek and document appropriate financial contributions from the department and/or the college. 

IMPORTANT :

• The appropriate department, college, and university processes for research and travel must be followed in initiating this CELT proposal.

How does one apply?

Your electronic version must be submitted by Friday, March 29, 2013 at 5 PM directly to Brooke Myrman at the CELT office, BMyrman@csuchico.edu. Click here for application materials.

The application form must be completed as indicated, and the proposal should total no more than three additional pages, including the budget portion.  Endorsement letters from the department chair and college dean are encouraged, and it is essential that they indicate the importance of this research in your particular field. The proposal needs to include the following in this order:

1. Cover page application-please include principal requestor and title on this page.
2. Rationale and Objectives of project or of conference presentation:
3. history and significance of problem or need (may include lit review)
4. brief explanation of how project addresses problem, followed by specific objectives of project;
5. overview of immediate and long-term impact of the project (may include impact on campus, profession, and/or community, but special emphasis should be on student learning)
6. description of how project is unique, innovative, or particularly suited to CSU Chico
7. rationale and evidence that the methodology/project plan is pedagogically sound and will be effective in improving student learning
   1. Timeline of plan: Outline intended steps to implement and timeline of entire project, including evaluation and reporting.
   2. Evaluation & Reporting: Explain in detail how success of the project or conference presentation will be evaluated and reported to CELT.
   3. Provide budget with breakdown of specific costs.
   4. Copy of Travel Request Form (if funding for travel is requested).
   5. Optional (but encouraged) letters of endorsement from department chair and dean (only items not included in 3 page limit)

Be sure to proofread your proposal for basic writing mechanics, comprehensibility and style. See the Rubric for additional information on what is expected in acceptable and/or target grant proposals.

Who evaluates the proposals, and what criteria are used?

A subcommittee of the CELT Advisory Board, comprising faculty and staff, use the criteria found in the Rubric for CELT Learning Enhancement Grants to make a recommendation to the CELT Director and Provost, who make the final decision. 

When are announcements made?  

On or before Friday, April 26, 2013

What type of reporting is required? 

A brief final written report is required within 30 days of completion or by June 2, 2014 (whichever comes first). Outcomes of the research project or travel, especially an assessment of the instructional/learning impact, and final budget allocations should be included. Funded proposals and final reports from those proposals will be made publically accessible via the CELT website. You will not be permitted to apply for a future CELT grant if your final written report is not submitted.

How will I know CELT has received my proposal?

If you do not receive an email receipt from CELT (usually by email) within 10 working days after delivery to CELT, please contact Sara Cooper, SCooper@csuchico.edu.