BioEd SOTL Research Grants

Providing funding for teaching and learning research in CBS

Purpose:

The Biology Education Research Grant provides funding and support for generalizable research in postsecondary biology education. Awards will be given to proposals that have strong potential to lead to peer-reviewed publications. Areas include, but are not limited to, investigation of student learning, teaching and assessment activities, and the student learning experience.  

Eligibility:

Full-time faculty or staff and graduate students from the College of Biological Science are eligible to apply. Graduate students must have 1) approval from their PI, and 2) a faculty advisor (may be same or different as PI).  

Value:

Up to $5,000 per year can be awarded to BioEd Research Grants. Typically funded projects range from $1,500-$2,000, although other requests will be considered. The goal is to fund multiple BioEd Research Grants within the $5000 budget. 

Applicants may also be interested in applying to the AVPA Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Grant for additional funds. SoTL grants have a maximum budget of $10,000, with applications typically due in April.   

Deadline:

Applications are accepted 3x/yr (1x/semester) on Aug 1, Dec 1 and April 1. Applications should be prepared as a word document and uploaded by the due date using the COESP Awards application form. The department Chair will be notified of recipients from their department.  

Application Process:

1. Applicant will submit a proposal of their project, which includes:
   • Cover page: Name, position, department & email address of primary applicant and all co-applicants (if applicable).
   • Project overview: A brief project overview should be written in a word doc (suggested length: 1 page, up to 2 pages max), and address the following:
     1. Context: What is the gap, need or opportunity you are addressing and why it is important? Relevant literature must be included.
     2. Project: What is the specific project that you are proposing and how will it be executed?
     3. Impact: What impact will the project have on student learning (or other relevant outcome) and how you will determine if it is successful?
     4. Feasibility: How will you accomplish your project within the funding period (1yr)? How will the impact be sustained beyond the funding period?
     5. Budget: An itemized budget. Eligible expenses may include: research assistant salary, research subject compensation, software etc.
2. COESP awards committee (min 3 people) will review all applications against a standard rubric for alignment with program criteria and provide written feedback for consideration, with an invitation to an in-person meeting to discuss (~2wk window).
3. Applicant(s) and representatives from the COESP awards committee will meet in person (or remote). Applicant will have an opportunity to address the feedback received/expand on the project as appropriate, and funds will be awarded.  

Please note: The intention behind this process (i.e. a brief written application followed by feedback and an interactive discussion) is to minimize barriers to applying, by simplifying the initial application, while maximizing the impact of the funding available and encouraging a culture of collaborative and open dialogue. New applicants are welcome to reach out to COESP for guidance prior to submission.

Evaluation Criteria:

• Strength of Justification.
• Alignment with funding program objectives.
• Impact on Teaching and Learning 
• Sustainability
• Appropriateness of Budget

Dissemination:

Awardees are requested to share their innovation with the COESP community through a variety of communication routes e.g. through social media, COESP day or other form of presentation.