Funding & Faculty Development Programs:
Teaching and Learning Small GrantsIn the Easter Semester, 2006, the Center for Teaching initiated an experimental program of small, easily available faculty grants. Their availability will be announced on a semester-to-semester basis as our budget allows.
Teaching and Learning Grants should support innovations in the classroom and/or activities that engage your students outside of the classroom (travel to a performance, exhibit, or site relevant to your readings; travel to and participation in a conference; conversation with an expert or a previously successful senior student in your field over a casual meal; collaboration with a class project, linked perhaps to a community or service initiative; etc.!). Of course these examples are just suggestive. In the end, you're the expert on what would facilitate teaching and learning for your students. We would like to keep the possibilities open so that we can see what your needs and ambitions are.
Applying is easy (it's a one-page form), we will respond quickly, and reporting will be minimal (receipts to please the IRS plus your evaluation to edify us--just a few lines will do). The one downside is the cap that ensures the funds get dispersed widely. So if you'd like to take a few seniors to the Tennessee Academy of Sciences meeting, you can have up to $300. And if you'd like to take your entire introductory class to the Caribbean to study beach ecology, you can have $300. Deadlines will be announced.