Instructions and application form
Purpose
FCTL mini-grant funds may be used to help defray the cost of faculty professional development and/or to purchase equipment or materials that enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement and that would not otherwise be provided by the faculty member’s home department or Dean.
Approximately 5 awards (up to $500 per award) are granted annually; the final amount depends on the number and quality of applications, the amounts funded, and the potential impact of the request. Requests must also present a sustainable activity that does not require future, additional funds from the FCTL.
Requests must reflect a cohesive set of expenses to achieve a professional development goal rather than a list of disconnected expenses. Examples of the use of the funds include, but are not limited to:
- registration fees for a teaching conference or workshop
- course-relevant books
- classroom materials not provided by the department or school
- course-related technology or software (may need USS approval)
Please Note: technology or software that does not have IT/USS approval cannot be serviced or supported by the HelpDesk. - training/supplies for innovative pedagogical methods; examples include game-based learning, team-based learning, case-based teaching, role playing, and peer-led learning
- other similar teaching-related out-of-pocket expenses
Please Note: Funds cannot be used for scholarship activities, travel expenses, professional memberships, to present at conferences, or to pay salaries or stipends for faculty, students, or guest speakers. Requests for funding related to scholarship activities should be submitted to the Committee for Faculty Scholarship and Development.
Eligibility
- applicants must be full-time faculty
- funds must be spent and reimbursed during the current fiscal year
- requests for reimbursement must be submitted by the deadline stated on the application form, and must include (a) itemized receipt(s) and (b) a 1-2 page final report describing which class(es) benefitted from the mini-grant and how (Required to receive a future mini-grant.)
- applications will be reviewed by the FCTL Advisory Board Members
Send questions to fctl@ric.edu.