Established in 1981 to promote quality teaching by providing funds to support travel, subsistence, and registration/tuition expense associated with workshop attendance, short course participation, mini-internships, and other off-campus activities related to teaching improvement. Max.award: $700

Guidelines for Microgrant Proposals

Purpose
The Microgrant program provides funds for registration fees and travel expenses for WCU faculty who wish to enrich their teaching. The program supports faculty activities in two areas:

1. exposure to knowledge that can be incorporated into course content, or in the case of the library faculty, exposure to knowledge in their area of responsibility that can be used to better meet the library needs of the student, and
2. exposure to approaches for delivering instruction.

Amount of Award
Microgrants are normally limited to a maximum of $700. Any exceptions require a compelling rationale and promise of extraordinary benefits in relation to total costs.

Monthly Review Cycle
To assure consideration of a proposal in a given month, proposals must be received by the 15th of that month (excluding December). The faculty screening committee meets monthly, shortly after the 15th, and sends its recommendations to the Provost. Applicants normally receive notice of approval or disapproval of proposals by the end of the month. Proposals received after the 15th will be considered at the next month's meeting.

General Review Criteria
Activities involving in-depth exposure to sharply focused topics are high priority. Such activities typically include a half day or more of training or other teaching enrichment activities led by distinguished scholars or someone with special expertise. Attendance at annual conferences where peers and colleagues present numerous loosely related topics in relatively short sessions will not be funded. Each Microgrant proposal will be reviewed by a faculty screening committee in light of the following criteria:

1. Is the proposed activity directly related to enhancement of the applicant's teaching (as opposed to research or other interests)? In the case of the library faculty, is the proposed activity directly related to the applicant's area of responsibility?
2. What is the potential of the proposed activity for enhancing teaching, or for the library faculty, to better meet the research needs of students.
3. Does the proposed activity provide for instructional development opportunities not currently available at WCU?
4. Does the proposed activity represent an efficient use of funds?
5. Does the proposal address departmental or college needs related to instruction?
6. To what extent does the applicant's department and/or college support the proposed activity, either with a financial contribution or letters explaining how the activity relates to departmental/college priorities?

Applicants are encouraged to discuss draft proposals with any Microgrant committee member prior to submitting an application.

Proposal Format
Keep in mind that your proposal will be read by faculty who may not be familiar with terms commonly used in your field. A full, clear explanation is important. Include the following items and please arrange them in the order listed below.

1. A completed Microgrant Proposal Cover Sheet (copy attached). Be sure to ask your department head and dean if they can provide any funding and list amounts under "Sources of Support" on the cover sheet. In light of rising travel costs and a fixed budget for this program, financial support from your department and college will strengthen your proposal.
2. A description of the specific activities to be undertaken. Attach the published brochure or information obtained from the event planners and highlight appropriate activities.
3. Specific statements of how the proposed activity will contribute to your teaching effectiveness or, for the library faculty, how the proposed activity will address the research needs of students. Organize and number your statements to correspond with the six review criteria on p. 1 of these guidelines, and be thorough in your explanations.
   
   Include a detailed explanation of how the proposed activity relates to or will affect specific courses (give course numbers and titles) that you are teaching this year or will teach in the near future. Library faculty should include an in-depth statement of how the proposed activity relates to their areas of responsibility and how this will affect specific research needs of students.
4. An itemized budget listing the projected cost of registration/tuition, transportation, and daily expenses for meals and lodging. This information may be included on the proposal cover sheet or, in cases where the form on the cover sheet is not appropriate, on an attachment following a similar format. Explain and justify any deviations from approved state travel reimbursement rates. Funds may be requested only for registration/tuition, travel, and subsistence.
5. Although a letter of support from your department head and dean is not required, such a letter may strengthen your application if it indicates that your department or college places high priority on your proposed activity.

Send one signed copy of your proposal to: Coulter Faculty Commons, 166 Hunter Library and one electronic copy to Annette Parris at aparris@email.wcu.edu.

Committee Members: 2010-2011 (TBD)

Reporting Procedures

In accepting a Microgrant award, each recipient agrees to submit to the Provost a brief written report (1-3 pp.) within one year after the funded activity. The purpose of this report is to validate the effectiveness of the Microgrant program and to build documentation in support of continued funding for the program.

The report should point out the main benefits of the experience, including how the activity affected specific courses taught or services offered by the recipient and how the activity met any specific departmental, college, or library needs (e.g. addition of a new course, revision of an existing course, meeting accreditation standards, offering new or more extensive services in the library, etc.). If the activity had shortcomings or failed to measure up to your expectations, feel free to comment candidly about any weaknesses.

Please address your report to Dr. Linda Stanford, Provost and send copies to: your dean, your department head, and the Coulter Faculty Commons.

Download the Microgrant Proposal Application Form ( Microsoft Word format)