Purpose

The grant proposal should show how the project will lead to one or both of the following:

1. demonstrable improvement in pedagogical skills, curricular enhancements, and a positive effecton BGSU student learning. Preference will be given to projects that are innovative and/or experimental and where the proposed funding is for seed money for a teaching or learningtechnique that is later expected to be funded as part of the college/department’s regular budget.
2. promotion of long-term professional growth through professional development activities. Projectsaimed at post-terminal study in new or related areas will be considered in addition to otherprofessional development activities.

 

Funding

Grants will be awarded in amounts up to $2000. A faculty member may be granted a maximum of $3000 annually. There will be two application deadlines each academic year: early fall semester for spring early spring semester for the following fall term funding.

Eligibility

Proposals will be accepted from any full-time tenured, probationary, or qualified rank faculty member. Priority will be given to faculty members who have not recently received a Faculty Development and Instructional Improvement Grant.

Faculty Development and Instructional Improvement Grants may be used for:

• Direct travel costs.
• Honoraria for external speakers/consultants for instructional improvement or for facultyprofessional development, impacting BGSU student learning directly or indirectly.
• Registration/tuition/instruction fees for workshops, or non-regular conferences/meetings.Instructional materials including specialized software (but not able to be purchased by ITS).Participation in a course of study sponsored by a professional organization, educationalinstitution, or other reputable entity.
• Development of instructional innovations at BGSU that will increase the faculty member’s abilityto promote student learning (e.g., learning new and improved methods of instruction, curriculardevelopment, learning the use of new instructional equipment, software and/or materials).
• Sponsoring local workshops, conferences, meetings, or similar educational experiences thatprovide instructional improvement and/or faculty development.

Faculty Development and Instructional Improvement Grants may not be used for:

• Projects directly resulting from or contributing to research or creative activities (e.g., presentationof a paper or gathering research data).
• Projects that contribute directly to the earning of degrees or other professional terminalcredentials required for employment. (Post-doctoral or other post-terminal programs arefundable.)
• Expenditures made prior to the Faculty Development and Instructional Improvement Grant deadline.
• Instructional equipment, supplies, materials, or activities more appropriately funded by studentfees or college/department/University budgets.
• Payment of faculty salaries to provide leaves or release time.
• Projects where alternative activities and/or resources are available on campus.
• Honoraria to BGSU faculty, staff, or students.
• Meals and Lodging.
• Regular, annual national or state conferences and conventions typically expected to be supportedin full or in part by departments.

Procedures

Faculty Development and Instructional Improvement Grant proposals have TWO annual deadlines: early in the fall semester for spring funding and early in the spring semester for the following fall semester funding. These deadlines will be well publicized in advance.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their proposals with department chairs, school directors, or other appropriate advisors especially if project implementation requires special scheduling or departmental release time. Documentation of any special arrangements should accompany the proposal.

Criteria considered by the Committee include:

1. extent of benefit to faculty member, BGSU student learning, other faculty members, and BGSU;
2. value and benefits of expected outcomes in proportion to cost;
3. feasibility of project with respect to applicant’s background, experience, goals, timeline, andbudget;
4. duration of resultant benefit (long-term growth);
5. clarity and thoroughness of project description; and
6. recent funding from the Faculty Development Committee.

Based on evaluations and budget, the Committee may recommend no, full, or partial funding.

Reporting

Grant recipients must submit a written report of the funded project within three months of project completion. Included in the report should be documentation of what the project accomplished and the project’s benefit to all impacted. Failure to provide a project report in a timely fashion will preclude subsequent Faculty Development Committee funding.

Proposal Format

1. Description of Project (250-500 words)
   1. Title of Project
   2. Objectives and expected benefit to self, BGSU student learning, other faculty, and BGSU
   3. Statement of explicit, measurable project outcomes
   4. Procedures to be followed in completing the project:
      1. timetable for completion and methods to be used,
      2. personnel involved
      3. materials and equipment required, if appropriate.
   5. Proposed budget which may include: (Please provide a budget rationale for each item requested in the grant.)
      1. tuition or other instructional fees paid to non-BGSU personnel,
      2. travel,
      3. temporary employment of non-BGSU personnel,
      4. honoraria or consultant fee for non-BGSU personnel,
      5. miscellaneous expenses such as postage, duplicating, etc.
2. Include attachments: appropriate supportive materials to clarify description of and/orobjectives of project (e.g., brochure, course description, catalog copy)
3. Provide complete description of other funding for this specific project (indicate source and date).
4. Provide description and dates of all previous funding from the Faculty Development Committee.
5. Describe specific plans and expected date (within three months of project completion) forreporting project outcomes.
6. Summary of applicant’s background, professional experience, and faculty responsibilities asrelated to the proposed project (enclose professional résumé/CV).