Faculty, Post-Doctoral Fellows, and Graduate Students
Research and Development MINI-GRANT
For STEM Education Activities
Guidelines for Application Process
Philosophy
The Whitaker Center's mission is to become a comprehensive model of inquiry and innovation in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, serving as a nexus of expertise and
leadership for Southwest Florida. The Whitaker Center takes a systemic approach to enhancing and reforming
STEM education by conducting research in STEM teaching and learning; developing innovative curricula,
resources, and materials; providing professional development opportunities for educators; developing and
supporting programs for students; and building strong community partnerships.
In line with its mission, the Whitaker Center Research and Development MINI-GRANT initiative,
supports a limited number of Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics (STEM) educational
research endeavors. Proposals must relate to STEM educational or pedagogic research. STEM research
activities are not supported by this grant initiative.
Awards
Award amounts of up to $500.00 are granted for applications that are deemed meritorious and will vary
with the complexity and need to support the proposed STEM education activities. Awards are not intended to
duplicate existing applicant funding. All funds must be expended in direct support of the proposed STEM
education activities. Awards may not be used for travel or travel-related expenses. Awards may not contribute
to salary support or stipends unless the applicant(s) can justify that the scope of the proposed activities
significantly exceeds normal job duties or expectations. All awards are to be spent during the designated
award time period, and any monies not encumbered by the completion of the project will be retained by the
Whitaker Center.
Eligibility
Awards are limited to Florida Gulf Coast University faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate
students. Faculty members and post-doctoral fellows applying must be members of the Whitaker Center to
qualify. The focus of the research must be in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics education.
Application Process
Guidelines:
All proposals must be submitted using the Whitaker Center Research and Development MINI-GRANT
Application Cover Page and follow the guidelines. If the applicant is also seeking funds from another source for
the project, the source and the nature of the requested support must be provided in the application materials.
Collaborative group proposals are encouraged. If the proposal is funded, awardee(s) must submit a final
report to the Center’s Administrative Assistant within 30 days of the project completion.
Revised: February 2008
Deadlines:
Two proposal deadlines exist each academic year.
Semester for Proposal Funding
Summer and Fall
Spring
Submission Deadline Date
March 15
November 15
Notification Date
April 15
December 15
Applications must be submitted in triplicate and electronically to: Susan Fohs, Administrative Assistant for the
Whitaker Center sfohs@fgcu.edu.
Project Description:
Limit description of proposal (II through X) to no more than four (4), single-spaced, typed pages in 12point font with one-inch margins. The material essential to the application should be included in the description
of the proposal.
I.
Cover Page
II.
Background and Rationale: the applicant(s) should demonstrate a clear understanding of existing
research and knowledge of project focus. Provide a clear and concise statement of the issue
and/or problem identifying the need for the project/activity.
III.
Objectives/Research Questions: the objectives and/or research questions should be appropriate,
clearly stated, and linked to the problem stated in the rationale.
IV.
Methods/Design: the methods/design should be described clearly, agree with objectives, be
specific and detailed, and identify strengths and limitations. It should describe the sampling
population if applicable; recruitment of subjects if applicable; data collection procedures; methods
used to minimize sample bias; indicate recording and reporting procedures; list appropriate
deadlines; and guarantee confidentiality. If human subjects are to be used, the FGCU Institutional
Review Board (IRB) Guidelines need to be followed (http://www.fgcu.edu/orsp/compliance.html). If
a project proposal is deemed to need approval from the IRB, approval must be submitted and
verified by the application deadline. Funded project awards will be with held until final approval
from this committee is obtained.
V.
Analysis/Evaluation: the analysis/evaluation section should include identification of data collection
instruments and statistical applications, relate to the purpose/objectives, describe extent and detail
of analysis.
VI.
Deliverables, Outcomes/End Products: describe the final product(s) or outcome(s) of the project.
VII.
Timeline of Activities: provide a timeline for completing project objectives.
VIII.
Plan for Reporting: the reporting section should describe written and/or verbal reporting
procedures. Include an explanation of how the outcomes will be evaluated and what type of report
will be submitted. (Note: Evaluation and/or reports are due within 30 days of project completion.)
IX.
Contribution to Whitaker Center Mission: the section should describe how the project aligns with
the Whitaker Center’s values of innovation, interdisciplinary education, integrated teaching and
learning, and/or inquiry-based activities.
X.
Broader Impacts: effect of project outcomes beyond the applicant(s) classroom.
XI.
Budget: the budget section should include itemization and justification of cost and relate to the
objectives.
Revised: February 2008
Faculty, Post-Doctoral Fellows, and Graduate Students
Research and Development MINI-GRANT
For STEM Education Activities
Application Cover Page
Please type on the form and expand fields, as needed.
Submission Date:
Semester for which funding is sought:
Applicant(s):
Department(s):
Primary contact email:
Total amount requested:
Activity Type:
 Curriculum or Activity Development
 STEM Education/Pedagogic Research and Evaluation
 Innovative Instructional Methodology
 Dissemination of STEM Education Research (not to include travel and travel-related expenses)
 Other: Please specify
Title of proposed activity:
Previous awards received from the Whitaker Center:
Other applications pending for funding this project:
______________________________
Applicant’s Signature
___________________
Date
Revised: February 2008
Faculty, Post-Doctoral Fellows, and Graduate Students
Research and Development MINI-GRANT
For STEM Education Activities
PROPOSAL EVALUATION
I.
Cover Page
II.
Background and Rationale ____________________________________________________ 10 points
Familiarity with existing research
Pertinent issues identified
Problem/concept clearly understood
III.
Objectives/Research Questions ________________________________________________ 10 points
Clearly specified
Linked to problem statement in rationale
IV.
Methods/Design ____________________________________________________________ 10 points
Clearly described
Agreement with objectives
Strengths and limitations identified
Data collection procedures described
IRB guidelines followed as needed and verified
V.
Analysis/Evaluation _________________________________________________________ 10 points
Appropriateness of statistical instruments
Agreement with purpose of objectives
Extent and detail of analysis
VI.
Deliverables, Outcomes/End Products __________________________________________ 10 points
Clearly described
Potential for success, risk
VII.
Timeline of Activities ________________________________________________________ 10 points
Appropriate time frame
VIII.
Plan for Reporting __________________________________________________________ 10 points
Reporting procedures clearly described
Effectiveness
IX.
Contribution to Whitaker Center _______________________________________________ 10 points
Alignment with Center values
X.
Broader Impact ____________________________________________________________ 10 points
Impact beyond applicant(s) classroom
XI.
Budget ___________________________________________________________________ 10 points
Itemization and justification of cost
Agreement with objectives
Comments:
Revised: February 2008