Call for Proposals: Teaching and Learning Enhancement Grants

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) welcomes submissions for the Teaching and Learning Enhancement Grants each fall. Grants fund innovative research projects that focus on aspects of teaching in higher education. Project could include, but are not limited to, course or program design, assessment techniques, teaching strategies, technology, or ideas for the creation of new active learning opportunities aimed at increasing student engagement.

Applicants are invited to submit well defined proposals that will demonstrably enhance teaching and learning.  A selection committee is assembled to review proposals. The committee will look favourably upon proposals that might be transferable to other individuals or units. Award winners will be expected to share the outcomes of their research with the university community and are expected to submit a final report of their activities to the CTL.

Winning proposals could be funded up to a maximum of $5,000.00 per calendar year. Applicants must reapply for funding each year. Each applicant or co-application is awarded only one grant per calendar year. Awards are meant to be one-time seed money for projects. Applicants will not receive on-going funding or repeated funding for one individual project.

Eligibility

Proposals are encouraged from any individual working in a role that directly supports teaching and learning objectives at Queen's University. This includes faculty, TAs, librarians, library instructors, information and communication technology professionals, and academic program directors.

Proposal Content

1. Proposals must address the following points in up to a maximum of five (5) pages.
2. Applicant's name, appointment, and affiliation. Proposals from a team of applicants should identify one person as the primary contact.
3. A full description of the project, including:

• Objectives: Explain how the proposal is innovative and relates to the enhancement of student learning and to   departmental, faculty or university priorities;
• Timeline of planned action items;
• Provide information on how the project will be evaluated and plans to disseminate the results (e.g. workshops at the CTL; presentations in the applicant's department etc). Applicants are encouraged to discuss this with CTL when they are preparing their applications, and to consider involving CTL in the evaluation and dissemination process);
• Applicability beyond the individual applicant(s); and
• A detailed budget.

  4. A letter of support from the applicant/primary contact's Dean or Department Head. Where possible, the letter
      should include a statement of commitment to the proposed project and an indication of any contributions of the
      unit to the project.

Selection Criteria

Grants will be awarded based on the following criteria:

1. Innovative with clear objectives: Does the proposal identify an important teaching/learning problem or issue that the project will address, clearly state the basic purpose, define realistic and achievable objectives? Will the project enhance teaching and learning in a particular course or program? Is the project likely to achieve the objectives?
2. Appropriate methods: Will the project use appropriate methods/technology?
3. Appropriate evaluation: Are there appropriate plans to evaluate the project?
4. Transferability: Will other teachers (in other disciplines) benefit from the results of this project?
5. Appropriate sharing: Are there plans for appropriate sharing of the outcomes of the project with other teachers at Queen's or beyond?
6. Departmental support: Does the project have the support of the applicant's Dean or Department Head?

The Selection Process

The Teaching and Learning Enhancement Grants will be administered through the CTL. The selection committee will include individuals from the CTL, ITServices, and individuals who teach and support teaching and learning at Queen's.

Call for Proposals

The Call for Proposals is sent out on the CTL listserv in late September or early October each year.

Deadline for Applications

Proposals must be submitted to the Centre for Teaching and Learning no later than 4:00 p.m. on January 14, 2013. Proposals should be submitted electronically to ctl@queensu.ca. Hard copies may also be submitted, if necessary. Successful proposals will be announced two weeks after the deadline date.

For further information, please contact the Centre for Teaching and Learning at 533-6428 or email ctl@queensu.ca.