Gilbert Whitaker Fund for the Improvement of Teaching: Stage II

Submit Grant ApplicationsSubmit Grant ReportsView Grant ReportsView Funded Grants

Deadline: 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Recent Gilbert Whitaker Fund recipients

Introduction

Stage I Whitaker grantees have the opportunity to continue their work by applying for a Stage II grant of $15,000, within two years of their initial Stage I award.  As with the Stage I program, Stage II is intended to fund collaborative groups of faculty for activities that develop and deepen the commitment to good teaching and learning. Up to three Stage II grants are awarded each year.

Eligibility

Recipients of Whitaker I grants awarded in AY 2010-2011 and AY 2011-2012 are eligible to apply in Fall 2012.  The application process for Stage II requires both a report summarizing what has been accomplished in Stage I and a proposal indicating what might be accomplished with additional funding in Stage II.

Deadline

Proposals are due at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2012.

Submission Procedures

All applications are handled electronically and must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October  2, 2012.

  1. Submit a Whitaker Stage I report by clicking the Submit Report button at the top of the Whitaker II page. 

    PLEASE NOTE: This report will be publicly displayed on the CRLT Grants Reports website.

  2. Download and complete this cover/budget sheet
    1. Budget not to exceed $15,000 from the Provost’s Office, see FUNDING section below for allowable expenses.
  3. Prepare a 3-5 page proposal in accordance with the Guidelines below.
  4. Solicit letters of support from deans, chairs, or other relevant colleagues.
  5. Merge items 2-4 into a single PDF file.
  6. Click the Submit Application button at the top of this page.
    1. Fill out the web form, which requires a project overview.  This project overview (250 word maximum) will be included in a set of summary documents provided to the review panel. 
    2. Upload the pdf file.

Chair Evaluations:

  1. Forward to your chair this Chair Evaluation Form http://www.crlt.umich.edu/grants/Chair_Evaluation.doc along with a complete copy of your application packet. 
  2. The chairperson should evaluate the proposal and then forward the Chair Evaluation Form to crltgrants@umich.edu.  These must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2, 2012.

Proposal Guidelines

In three to five pages, address the following items:

  1. Goals of the Project.  State the goals of the project, indicating how the proposal relates to the enhancement of teaching and student learning and to departmental or college/school priorities. Be specific about the teaching and learning outcomes you expect to reach as a result of your project.  Clearly explain how this project builds upon the work accomplished in Stage I and how the project will be sustained after the funding period
  2. Project Design.  Describe the general approach by which the project will meet its stated goals.  Indicate how your project represents an improvement upon, or important departure from, existing practice.
  3. Project Implementation.  Be specific about what the project will entail.  Explain what activities are to be carried out and by whom. Describe what data will be collected. Provide a timeline for the project.
  4. Evaluation of Impact. Include an evaluation plan describing how you will determine whether you have reached your teaching and learning outcomes.  Methods of evaluation might include, but are not limited to: midterm assessments, focus groups; participant observation; assignment, syllabi or other document reviews; examination of student work; pre- and post- tests; end of term student ratings; surveys etc.
  5. Personnel.  List names of faculty members and others involved. Please explain how each collaborator will contribute to the successful completion of the project. Do not include CVs.
  6. Budget Justification. Explain clearly why each item on the separate budget worksheet is essential to the project. Line items should include the underlying assumptions used to prepare the request, such as rates of pay, numbers of hours and/or appointment percentages, and quantities and costs of various categories of supplies. Cost sharing by academic units, when applicable, should also be itemized. Fringe benefits must be figured into the budget for all personnel. Budget items that are normally provided by departments, such as library acquisitions, travel expenses, copying expenses, and supplies, may be included as cost sharing.

Funding

The following expenditures (among others) may be included in the budget request:

  • Retreats, workshops or planning sessions
  • Focus groups, surveys and written materials
  • Data analysis
  • Facilitator or consultant honorarium
  • Faculty summer salary
  • Replacement teaching subvention
  • Materials, supplies, and meals
  • Student support
  • Travel
  • Equipment

The following expenditures may NOT be included:

  • Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) salaries
  • Tuition portion of a Graduate Student Research Assistant (GSRA) appointment

Funding Period

The period of funding may vary to fit the needs of the project, but is limited to two years. The funding period must begin in 2013, and projects must be completed by December 31, 2014. 

Funding Decisions

All Gilbert Whitaker Fund Stage II applications undergo a review process carried out by members of the CRLT staff and the CRLT Advisory Board, composed of faculty from across campus. The final funding decisions will be made by the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Stage II awards will be announced in December  2012.

Reporting Requirements

CRLT asks all grant recipients to disseminate their results by completing a brief web form within three months of the project’s completion. These reports will be publicly displayed on the CRLT Grants Reports website.

Questions and Consultations

Please contact CRLT at 764-0505 or crltgrants@umich.edu if you have questions.  CRLT staff are available to consult with grant applicants as they prepare proposals. 

shadow