University Teaching Grants
University Teaching Grants support the development and application of evidence-based pedagogical practices for courses and programs at Illinois State University. The Center for Integrated Professional Development seeks a project that is aimed to demonstrate a strong impact on student success, student learning, and a sense of belongingness.
Overview
The program provides up to $3,500 for an individual instructor, a single departmental team, or a team without students as partners. It provides up to $5,000 for a cross-disciplinary team or a team that includes a student as a partner.
Grant applicants must address one or both of the following dimensions of teaching and learning in their grant proposal:
- culturally responsive and equitable teaching
- innovative teaching practices
Proposals that demonstrate sustainable and interdisciplinary benefits to teaching and learning at Illinois State will have priority for funding.
This grant will provide funding for in-class and out-of-class activities and assignments, guest speakers, field trips, etc. Expenses eligible for reimbursement by this grant program include:
- course materials
- travel expenses for students and instructor (fuel, parking, fleet vehicle rental, etc.)
- fees (admission or registration) and related expenses (excluding lodging) for students to make onsite visits or attend conferences
- travel expenses for class guests (meals, transportation)
- stipends for guest speakers, either for onsite or virtual visits
Important note: If funding is being requested to purchases software or online services for teaching and learning, the purchase needs to vetted in conjunction with the campus’ information security office. Funding will not be released until a Data Usage Form is approved.
Eligibility
All tenured and tenure-track faculty, full-time non-tenure-track instructors, and full-time staff with teaching responsibilities at Illinois State University are eligible. Recipients of prior Center for Integrated Professional Development grants who have failed to meet their grant obligations are ineligible.
Conditions of the Grant
Acceptance indicates agreement to submit a report (detailed below). This process will help us share outcomes of Center grants to the ISU community. Reports will be posted on the Center's website. Completion of this condition is required to remain eligible for future grants.
Grant reports (200-300 words) should include:
- A brief description of the grant-related event, activity, or project.
- A summary of your grant project's outcomes could integrate findings from data collected using the assessment method(s) identified in your grant proposal.
- A brief reflection of how the grant activities have affected your teaching practices and student learning.
Important Dates
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Due | 3rd Tuesday in September | 3rd Tuesday in February | |
| Funds Available | Upon Acceptance | Upon Acceptance | |
| * Expenses Reported By | May 29 of the current fiscal year | May 29 of the current fiscal year | |
|
Expenses not properly documented by that date cannot be reimbursed. |
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Application
Applications should be submitted online and include the following:
Project overview
Describe the specific pedagogical need or innovation that your project will address. Be sure to state actual processes as well as the rationale of the project.
Outcomes
Describe the specific outcomes you expect from your project and how you measure the outcomes.
Assessment
Describe your plan to assess the outcomes of your project and its impact on student learning (e.g., what data might you collect and how would you use it). (200 word limit)
Evidence-based pedagogical practice
Describe the current research, theory, or effective teaching practices that serve as a foundation of your project.
FITE Dimensions
Describe how your project aligns with one or more dimensions from the Framework for Inclusive Teaching Excellence.
Equity
Include your reflection on how this project affects students from diverse backgrounds and how you’d address inequities this project may produce.
Dissemination and sustainability
Describe your plan to disseminate your findings from this project.
Additional support
Describe whether the project described in this grant application requires support from the school, department, college, or university. If additional support from campus entities is required, please include the statement of support from the respective entities. For example, if technical support is required, please include the statement of support from the college IT departments.
Budget
Itemize the amounts for various expense categories salary, contractual, or commodities expenses. If listing salary, please include an explanation of why this project is considered to be outside the scope of your regularly assigned duties as a faculty member at Illinois State University (e.g., course and curricular design, teaching, assessment, etc.). If other sources of financial support is expected, please list the sources and the amount.
Note: Proposals should address these components using clear, jargon-free language that will allow the reviewers, who are likely not specialists in your discipline, to understand exactly what innovation you are considering, how it will impact your teaching and student learning, how you will assess that impact, and so on.
Evaluation Criteria
The University Teaching Council will evaluate applications based on the evaluation rubric.
Questions?
Email ProDev@ilstu.edu for assistance.