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Understanding
the Instructional Improvement Program
Assessment
Budget
Hiring
Application & Award Process
Changes
to Grant Projects
Course Development Fellowships
Understanding
the Instructional Improvement Program
May I apply for a Major Grant to acquire computer
equipment for use in undergraduate courses?
The purpose of the Instructional Improvement Program is to encourage
innovation in teaching and learning, funding improvements that are beyond
the scope of regular instructional budgets. If the equipment requested
will lead to a significant change in the way students learn, it would
be considered for IIP funding. However, you must explain why the equipment
is not included in the divisional or departmental budget. You will also
need to include a plan for housing and supporting the equipment on an
on-going basis. top
May I use a mini-grant to purchase $1,000 worth
of films for my course?
Mini-grants are designed to help you enhance instruction in a course.
They are not intended for basic materials. If you cannot teach the course
without these films, they would be viewed as basic materials and thus
ineligible for mini-grant funding. If the films represent an untried supplement
to current instructional materials, however, you could in principle get
a $1,000 mini-grant to acquire them. Exact film titles, prices, and a
clear justification for these particular films as they relate to your
course and instructional goals should be part of the proposal. Please
also include a copy of relevant catalog pages. top
Why must I preview films?
Experience has shown that films selected without previewing do not make
good additions to the University Library. COT requires that grant recipients
preview unfamiliar films to determine whether they are suitable for the
instructional purposes they have in mind. Only then should they be purchased.
Greg Careaga in the Film and Music Center can help you. Contact him at
459-3687 or gcareaga@ucsc.edu.
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Last year I got IIP funding to implement an innovative
teaching project. I now have additional ideas to develop that project
further. Can I get a second year of funding?
Because they are intended as seed funding, not for on-going support, grants
are ordinarily awarded on a one-time basis. For exceptional projects,
follow-up funding for further development in a subsequent grant year may
be considered. In applying for follow-up funding, applicants should include
a report demonstrating successful completion of the initial grant project,
and should discuss how further development will improve student learning.
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Last year I applied for a grant to acquire specific
new technologies for use in teaching and was turned down entirely. Why?
There can be various reasons why people are denied funding for a proposal.
The most likely is that the application did not adequately meet the criteria
used by COT in making recommendations for funding. Key to the success
of a proposal is a clear, well articulated focus on teaching and learning.
It is important to read the Call in its entirety before developing a proposal
and, if your schedule permits, to attend the Information Session. If you’d
like feedback on a draft of your proposal, call CTE well ahead of the
proposal deadline. top
Assessment
The proposal requires a plan
for assessing student learning, but I don’t know what to suggest besides
adding a question to the end-of-quarter evaluations. Is that sufficient?
While student input can be a part of a grant assessment plan, by itself
it does not provide strong evidence for student learning. In designing
an assessment, consider the specific learning objectives you have identified,
and ask yourself how you will know if each of the objectives has been
met. Depending on the particular project, you might consider tracking
student improvement through the quarter, comparing performance to that
of students in previous quarters, or tracking student progress in subsequent
courses. Contact CTE if you would like resources on assessment. top
Budget
How much budget detail is necessary in my proposal?
No element of the budget should go unresearched or unexplained. Whatever
the amount of your request, you must provide details to show exactly how
that money is to be spent. Don’t forget to add 15% to cover tax and shipping
as necessary. top
Are the chances of funding improved if I can
show other sources of support for my project? Yes, you are strongly
encouraged to seek matching funds from others sources whenever possible.
In those cases where the proposed project exceeds $15,000, it is especially
important to identify additional sources of support. top
Hiring
Is it possible to hire student assistants
with these grants?
Funds can be used to pay for undergraduate or graduate assistants to help
with project implementation. It is important to explain the kind and the
amount of assistance called for, making a clear connection to project
goals. top
How do I know how much to pay individuals who will
be hired to assist with the grant?
If your proposal includes the hiring of student assistants, programmers,
or other employees, be sure to check with your divisional human resources
staff to determine the appropriate pay rate, whether you must include
funding for benefits, and what policies may affect the employment of that
individual. top
Application & Award Process
I plan to apply for a Course Development Fellowship
to create a new course that utilizes instructional technology. Do I need
to submit two applications?
Course Development Fellowships provide funds to buy a faculty member out
of teaching one course. Any anticipated expenditures associated with the
new course should be applied for separately using the appropriate application
forms. top
How are applicants notified of the status of
a proposal?
The Center for Teaching Excellence handles the Instructional Improvement
Grant Program at UCSC. CTE staff usually notify applicants informally,
by e-mail or phone, as soon as a decision has been made. Following that,
CTE sends via campus mail an official notification letter with all important
information for accessing the grant account. Grant recipients should keep
that letter in their files for future reference. top
If my grant is approved, how can I access the
funds?
The financial staff for the IIP establishes account numbers and transfers
funds to divisional business offices. Your notification letter will inform
you of the location of your account and the individual to whom you should
submit receipts. top
Changes
to Grant Projects
Is it possible to revise proposal expenditures
if the amount of the grant does not change? Minor changes are not
a problem. COT approval is necessary if you wish to change a significant
item in your budget. Contact CTE to request approval for changes. top
What happens if I am unable to proceed with the
funded project?
Contact CTE. Funds will be returned to the IIP account and made available
for other instructional improvement projects. top
If the project is not completed by June 30
of the grant year, can funds be carried forward? Yes, but carrying
forward of funds is not automatic. Permission is granted on a case-by-case
basis and only when there are good reasons for doing so. Contact CTE.
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Course Development Fellowships
Are lecturers eligible for Course Development Fellowships?
Yes, lecturers can receive a CDF, provided the department chair and dean support the application. For full-time lecturers, course release would be handled as for Senate faculty. Part-time lecturers may, if their conditions of employment allow, be paid the course equivalency amount as a stipend during the quarter when they are doing the course development work, without reducing their regular teaching load. Be sure to check with your divisional human resources coordinator to ensure that appropriate procedures are followed.top
What amount does a department receive for a course release under the Course Development Fellowship?
Most departments will receive 1/8 of an Assistant Professor III salary, which corresponds to $7,437.50. Lecturer course releases will be funded at that level. Departments on the Engineering or Economics scale will receive 1/8 of an Assistant Professor II salary, or $9,325.00. The intent of these grants is to provide replacement costs, not to fund salaries directly. top
Back to main grants page.
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