Enhancing Excellence through Interdisciplinary Experiential Engagement
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Instructions for Proposal Format and Content
1.
Format: All forms must use 12-point font with one-inch margins and be single-spaced, with
one space between paragraphs. All components of the application should be submitted in
PDF format.
2.
Cover sheet: Complete cover sheet, one per PI and/or Co-PI. (Obtain signature approval
from respective chairs and attach as a PDF.)
3.
Abstract: Write a summary describing the project's objectives, proposed methodology,
and anticipated impact (all in layperson's terms). The abstract should not exceed 250
words.
4.
Description (Proposal description must be limited to 4 pages in length)
Rationale and Objectives: Identify how the activity fills shortcomings or
enhances the educational experience of the students. Briefly describe the high-impact
educational practices’ objectives and goals of the proposal and its anticipated impact.
a.
b.
Description of Activity: Provide a narrative of the project including the following
information.
i.
Who participates? Include faculty and affiliation, majors/minors and/or
courses affected, and number of students expected to participate and
benefit from the experience per academic year.
ii.
Describe the actual project activity and expected outcomes. Explain the
activity, addressing at a minimum the following elements:
1.
Experiential component:
a.
What will the faculty and students do to enhance the learning
experience of the students?
b.
What is the value added beyond a traditional classroom/curricular
experience?
c.
How will the activities/course be integrated into the curriculum?
2.
Learning outcomes: What are the expected measurable learning
outcomes of the project activities?
3.
Assessment Process: What is the proposed learning outcome evaluation
methodology?
(continued)
Enhancing Excellence through Interdisciplinary Experiential Engagement
5.
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c.
Budget and Justification: Include a detailed listing of all anticipated costs,
including a timeline for spending. There are no a priori restrictions or
limitations on uses of the funds sought, but all proposed expenditures must
be justified. If funds are used to buy or repair equipment or instrumentation,
there must be disclosure of the unit(s) responsible for housing and
maintaining the equipment. If departments/colleges will provide matching
funding, please describe. If the budget includes faculty course releases or
teaching a course overload, the current rate is $2000 per credit hour ($6000
for the standard 3-credit course) plus 44.3% fringe. If you have any
questions concerning wages, etc., please consult the CAS Business Office by
phone or email (casbiz@uvm.edu).
d.
Leadership Plan: The governance and organizational structure of the
leadership team should be described when using multiple PIs. Describe the
process of making decisions on project direction and procedures for
resolving potential conflicts between PIs. The specific roles and
responsibilities for the project should be delineated for all PIs and other
team members.
e.
Sustainability Plan:
i. Congruence with strategic university and college missions and initiatives
(see links under “Resources,” below)
ii. Plan for institutionalization.
1. What will make the course/activity attractive to students?
2. Will the course/experience be offered with relative frequency?
3. Will the course satisfy (or what steps will be taken to increase the
probability that the course will satisfy) degree requirements for
specific majors or minors?
4. IMPORTANT: Please specify the semester/year when you
anticipate that the course will be included in the Schedule of
Courses.
Appendices
a.
b.
c.
References: You may add a reference page(s) as necessary (optional).
Short CV: 3-page limit. Required
Facilities and Other Resources (up to one page): As appropriate, identify
the facilities to be utilized (including classrooms, laboratories, field
stations, etc.), their current capacities, capabilities, and availability for the
project. If travel is required, describe the transportation services available.
Enhancing Excellence through Interdisciplinary Experiential Engagement
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Resources
The links below point you to a number of resources you may find helpful as you prepare
your proposal.
From the Association of American Colleges and Universities:
● Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) initiative:
http://www.aacu.org/leap/
● Diversity & Democracy:
http://www.diversityweb.org/DiversityDemocracy/vol12no2/brownell.cfm
From UVM:
● Center for Teaching and Learning: University of Vermont
● Community-University Partnerships & Service Learning
● The Office of Undergraduate Research
• College of Arts and Sciences current Mission Statement:
http://www.uvm.edu/artsandsciences/?Page=mission.html&SM=aboutsub.html
• University of Vermont Mission:
http://www.uvm.edu/president/?Page=mission.html
• University of Vermont Strategic Plan:
http://www.uvm.edu/president/?Page=strategicplan2009_2013.html