Education Futures Improving Student
Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
Internal academic funding for learning and teaching research
Education Futures Improving Student Satisfaction Funding
offers support to UWA staff who wish to undertake an
evidence-led project aimed at improving student satisfaction
in a particular unit or themed across a major sequence in a
series of units. Funding of up to $10,000 is available to assist
in this key strategic area.
It is essential that applicants attend a Carpe Diem learning design workshop early in the delivery of their
project. Please register via education-futures.uwa.edu.au/carpe-diem-workshop.
Selection Criteria
Preference will be given to projects related to units with Students’ Unit Reflective Feedback (SURF)
scores of three or below across one or more of the six SURF questions. The unit must have been
available in the past two semesters and demonstrate at least one of the following:
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the potential to improve SURF scores based on student comments in SURF which
provide evidence of an issue/problem that the project will address; and/or
the potential to radically improve feedback from students which should improve SURF
scores; and/or
the potential to improve SURF scores by implementing evidence-based changes (For
example, using evidence from high-rating similar units in SURF)
The following additional selection criteria must also be met:
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the feasibility of the proposal, including a realistic timeline, budget, dissemination plan
within UWA and capability of the individual/s
the potential benefit for improving students’ learning, experience or satisfaction
the potential for sharing and scaling findings across other Schools and/or Faculties
the potential for the project to lead to teaching awards, external funding and/or
publications
the direct relationship to at least one of the seven principles of UWA’s Education Futures
support from the applicant’s Head of School, Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning
and /or Dean of Faculty or equivalent
Preference will be given to proposals that have not previously received funding from the Office for
Learning and Teaching (OLT), one of its predecessor organisations, or internal UWA funding.
Eligibility and Conditions
Eligibility
1.
Open to staff employed at UWA who are currently engaged in teaching or providing professional
support or development focused on improving the student learning experience.
Conditions
1.
Applications will be considered for amounts normally between $5,000 and $10,000, however
projects for lesser amounts will be considered. A total of $100,000 is available for Improving
Student Satisfaction Funding.
Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Applications are to contain a detailed budget indicating how resources will be used, e.g. technical
and pedagogical support, research and evaluation activities; or travel associated with the
project’s conduct and/or dissemination.
Applications would not normally include the following expenses within their budget:
a. Salaries and on-costs of UWA staff
b. Standard personal computers, tablets, smartphones or IT related equipment
‘Buyout’ from teaching duties may be considered, with the agreement of the Head of School.
Travel which is not directly related to achieving the outcomes of the project will not be funded.
Funding should not duplicate funding provided from elsewhere.
Applicants should consult the Centre for Education Futures staff prior to submitting their
application if specific support or expertise is required from the Centre to underpin the project
Funding will be allocated in two stages – 50% on commencement and 50% on submission of the
final report.
Funded projects must be completed, and funding expended, within twelve months of the project
start date. Extensions may be granted under exceptional circumstances.
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the expenditure of the funds is in accordance with
the budget presented in the application, and that any major variation is approved by the
Education Futures Funding Selection Group.
Any costs in excess of the allocated funds will not be borne by the Education Futures Scholarship
Program and must be sought elsewhere.
Upon completion of the project, any unspent funds are to be returned to the Education Futures
Scholarship Program.
A summary report providing an update against specified deliverables is to be submitted to the
Education Futures Funding Selection Group within two months of the project’s completion. The
report is to address the selection criteria and outline key findings, outcomes achieved, future
plans and include a budget expenditure statement.
Applicants are to identify ways to disseminate findings within the University and will be required to
present findings at least one of the following; events held by
 the Education Futures Scholarship Program
 the Futures Observatory
 Education Futures conferences
 Faculty conferences or seminars
Applicants will also be encouraged to submit their findings as a conference paper or journal as
appropriate.
Funding is not transferable to any other institution in whole or in part.
The applicant(s) Head of School must be consulted and agree to the application.
It is essential that applicants attend a Carpe Diem learning design workshop early in the delivery
of their project.
Application Process
Applications are to be submitted to futuresobservatory@uwa.edu.au by 5pm Wednesday 30
September 2015.
Applications are to contain two attachments:
1. The original application in MS Word format.
2. A scanned copy of the application with signatures.
Enquiries:
Education Futures Scholarship Program
futuresobservatory@uwa.edu.au
Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
Education Futures Improving Student Satisfaction
Application Form
Proposals are to be a maximum of four pages (excluding budget, signatures and CV) in 11pt Arial
font.
Project Title
(20 word limit)
Applicant
Name
Title
e.g. Professor
Position
School
Faculty
Email
Phone
Add or remove fields for team members below as required.
Team member 1
Title
(if applicable)
e.g. Professor
Position
School
Faculty
Team member 2
Title
(if applicable)
e.g. Professor
Position
School
Project
Synopsisplease include
SURF scores
40 - 60 word limit
Overview
Provide an overall
description of the
project.
Aim/s
Describe the project’s
overall aim/intention;
one or two is
standard.
Objectives
List the project goals
which will support
achieving the aim/s.
Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
Faculty
Context and
Rationale
What is the context of
the project? Why is it
being proposed?
Refer to relevant
literature.
Investigative
Methods
What methods will be
used for study?
Benefits and
Impact
Identify the potential
benefit to improving
student learning
and/or experience.
List staff benefits if
relevant.
Scalability
The potential for
sharing and scaling
findings across other
departments and
faculties.
Sustainability
Indicate the potential
sustainability beyond
the funded period.
External
Funding
List the potential for
the project to lead to
external funding and
publications.
Publications
List the potential for
the project to
generate publications.
Support from
Centre for
Education
Futures staff
What support will be
required from this unit
in order to achieve
the proposed
outcomes?
Schedule
Project start date
Activities
Summarise key
project plan and
dates.
Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
Project end date
Dissemination
Briefly describe
dissemination plans
within UWA as per
Condition 14.
Past Funding
List any internal or
external funds
received for this
project within the past
three years, e.g.
faculty funding, OLT
etc.
Feedback
Detail what feedback
was sought for this
proposal, and how it
has been addressed.
Proposals should not exceed four pages.
Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
Budget
Specify the proposed budget for this proposal in the table below. All costs are to be excluding GST. Note any Faculty in-kind contributions, e.g. administration support,
equipment or financial support. Maximum of $10,000 (excluding GST).
Item
Description
Justification
Seed Funding
($)
Personnel
e.g. Research Assistant hired for 36 hours over 6
weeks at $38.50 p/h + 28% on costs (0.6 FTE)
e.g. Required to analyse data during Semester 1, 2016
$1774.08
Administration
e.g. Administrative support to assist with
organising focus groups
e.g. Administration Officer John Do providing 2 hours of
administrative support each week during the project (2
hours x 13 weeks = 26 hours x $30 p/h + on costs)
Research and
evaluation
Dissemination
Project activities
Materials and
equipment
Travel
Other
TOTAL (exc. GST)
Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
In-kind
contribution ($)
$998.40
Lead Applicant’s CV
Please attach a CV summary (2 pages max.) for the Lead Applicant.
I have attached a CV to this application.
Certification by Applicant
I certify that:
1. To the best of my knowledge, all details in this application form are true and complete; and
2. I have read and agree to abide by the Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines.
Name (PLEASE PRINT):
Signature:
Date:
Endorsement by Head of School
I have reviewed this application and endorse this proposal.
Name (PLEASE PRINT):
Signature:
Date:
Endorsement by Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning)
I have reviewed this application and endorse this proposal.
Name (PLEASE PRINT):
Signature:
Date:
Endorsement by Dean of Faculty
I have reviewed this application and endorse this proposal.
Name (PLEASE PRINT):
Improving Student Satisfaction Funding Guidelines
Signature:
Date: