Principles and Definitions
The Grants for Engaged Learning Program supports projects that promote collaborative learning and problem-solving activities that result in solutions and benefits to the communities served by the university.
Recognizing that the GEL program cannot fund all worthy engaged learning projects, the award process will feature and prioritize projects that include an outcome related to community betterment. This supports the Carnegie Foundation’s emphasis on community-based research and the need to “solve problems that affect the citizens of [a] locality or region.”
Review Process
The GEL program is a competitive process emphasizing quality, transparency, and accountability. Funds will be allocated to the highest quality proposals and particularly those that serve the engaged learning mission of the program and university. Effectiveness measures include 1) increased publicity of the grant guidelines, 2) publicity of funded proposals on the website, 3) pre-submission assistance, and 4) substantial post-application feedback. Review procedures are revised to include a rubric reflecting the program’s core principles. Five evenly weighted criteria for proposals have been developed and are listed below:
- Student Success – depth and breadth of student involvement with significant learning conditions
- Community Benefit – depth and breadth of impact and value to the community being served
- Academic Application – the extent to which the project connects academic theory and learning to practical applications
- Outcomes, Benefits, and Measures - the extent to which potential student and community outcomes will be measured and communicated.
- Making the Case – the extent to which the grant is complete and well-written with sound arguments addressing the stated criteria.
The grant structure includes three funding categories: seed grants, quick grants, and phased grants. Seed grants are the main category and will be funded for one to two years with a maximum award of $10,000. Quick grants are distributed more frequently with a maximum award of $2500. Phased grant projects are multi-year, high profile projects in which colleges and schools partner with GEL in a collaborative funding model. Each unit will have the opportunity to receive funding for their top engaged learning initiatives. These awards may or may not include previous seed grant projects. For further details, consult with your dean.
Seed Grant Process
