Microsoft Innovative Teachers Programme
Grant Applications Pack
This document includes:
o Software Grant Application Guidelines
o Software Grant Application Form
o Grant Application Authorisation Form
Innovative Teachers Programme
Software Grant Application Guidelines
The Innovative Teachers programme is designed to provide educators with the support and
tools that they need in order to use technology effectively and raise standards of teaching and
learning. Any qualified teacher, pre-service teacher or learning support assistant based in the
UK is eligible to participate. Please visit the Innovative Teachers website to learn more about
the benefits of participation www.microsoft.com/uk/education/training/teachers.
One of the programme objectives is to build a national network of Communities of Practice &
Expertise (CPEs) that work together to improve teacher education and student learning
through the use of technology. When organisations form communities of practice and
expertise (CPEs) then they are eligible to apply for a two year software grant to facilitate work
associated with the Innovative Teachers programme.
What is a Community of Practice & Expertise?
In its most basic form, a CPE is a partnership agreement between an organisation concerned
with the professional development of educators such as Local Education Authority or an Initial
Teacher Training department and a cluster of schools/colleges. The CPE may also include
other educational and not for profit organisations who are committed to providing technologyrelated professional development opportunities to members, practicing teachers and/or
prospective teachers. The partnership should have the aim to develop, test and refine
effective practices through applied research/learning projects.
Grant applicants must organize their CPE around a specific area of interest, to be chosen by
them, and develop curricular, training, and professional development materials that use
technology to enhance pedagogy. Individual CPEs will be connected with other such
communities through the network of educators involved in Microsoft’s Innovative Teachers
Programme. This wider collaboration will be facilitated through a private online community
and national events that will allow for communication, collaboration, and sharing of best
practices.
What will grant recipients receive to help them build CPEs?
 Software licenses for current Microsoft® desktop applications and operating systems
including the current Microsoft Windows® operating system and Microsoft Office
(estimated value of up to U.S. $2,000 per license)
 Access to professionally produced online software-support materials
 Online collaboration and community-building tools for designing and sharing best
practice models
In addition:
 Grant recipients will be given the opportunity to contribute submissions of their CPE
work for inclusion in case-studies and communications associated with Microsoft’s
Innovative Teachers Programme.
 Grant recipients will be provided with learning materials to enable them to progress
through the Innovative Teachers Programme and will receive monthly electronic
programme updates to keep them abreast of what’s new.
 Grant recipient CPE projects that are identified as exemplary by the Innovative
Teachers Advisory Board will be entered into the annual awards for the programme
and will be featured on the Innovative Teachers website.
What will grant recipients be required to do once they receive the grant?
 Register for the Innovative Teachers Programme in order to gain access to support
materials and online communities for collaboration.
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Work with their CPE partners to develop curricular, training, and professional
development materials in the area of interest using the software products and support
materials provided by Microsoft.
Conduct technology-related professional development programmes in the area of
interest with faculty members, prospective teachers and practicing teachers using the
software products provided by Microsoft and the Innovative Teachers Programme
training materials. The CPE programme can be a stand-alone professional
development unit, or it can be integrated into an established professional
development programme.
Use the community tools provided by Microsoft to facilitate discussion and
collaboration among the local CPE partners, among the local CPE partners and other
CPEs around the country with a similar area of interest, and between the local CPE
and the larger national network.
Participate in the establishment of Innovative Teachers Programme case-studies by
submitting at least six “promising practice” submissions per year to Microsoft. A
promising practice is an innovative application of technology that shows potential for
improving teaching and learning within the CPE’s area of interest. Promising practice
submissions must be packaged within the Virtual Classroom Tour template provided
to ensure quality and consistency.
Submit an Innovative Teachers programme review to Microsoft on a six monthly
basis. Programme reviews will explain how the CPE is using the software and using
the community tools; identify the number of faculty, prospective teachers and
practicing teachers who are participating in the CPE; and include any relevant data
related to student outcomes.
Respond to Microsoft inquiries related to promotional activities as they arise during
the initial 2-year grant period.
Mention the Innovative Teachers programme or include the logo in associated
participant brochures and newsletters, on Web sites related to the project, and in all
training-related materials.
Ensure that the Microsoft software contribution is used exclusively for CPE-related
activities, and for prospective and practicing teacher professional development
courses and workshops.
Notify Microsoft (itn-uk@microsoft.com) when there are any changes to the CPE –
such as contact information changes, email changes, website address changes, and
shipping address changes.
Who is eligible to apply?
Any organisation concerned with the professional development of educators that wishes to
form and lead a CPE with a cluster of schools/colleges – or other relevant not-for-profit
organization - may apply. This may be a Local Education Authority or an Initial Teacher
Training Department. In some cases, it may be a school/college who is working in
collaboration with a number of others. The grant must be for educational organisations
situated in the United Kingdom. Individual organisations that have not formed a CPE
partnership will not be allowed to submit grant applications on an individual basis.
When can applications be made?
Application Period 1: Period 1 will be open from 15th April to 31st May. Grant recipients will be
notified by 1st July and will be awarded grants for two years, beginning on 1st August and
ending 31st July. This will allow projects to commence in the autumn term.
Application Period 2: Period 2 will be open from 15th September to 31st October. Grant
recipients will be notified by 1st December and will be awarded grants for two years, beginning
on 1st January and ending 31st December. Projects may commence in the spring term.
Grant recipients will be eligible to apply for subsequent grants after the initial two year period.
What does the grant application process entail?
The Grant Application Process has six steps:
1. Lead organisation to form the CPE – this must include a minimum of three
organisations.
2. CPE to identify an area of interest – this should be a pedagogical focus, either
subject based or relevant to a particular focus on raising standards.
3. Identify a Project Director – who must be from the lead organisation and will be
responsible for facilitating communication within the CPE and with Microsoft as well
as submitting best practice models and programme evaluations to Microsoft.
4. Fill out the Software Grant application Form – we encourage you to develop this
with a project team and recommend that you keep a copy for your records.
On the Form, applicants should provide information about:
o The proposed CPE structure, including information about the members, staff,
and any outside organizations that will be participating in the programme
o The proposed CPE area of interest, the role of each CPE participant and his
or her relevance to the area of interest; and the importance of this area of
interest to the professional development of teachers
o How the software tools will be used to enhance student-learning. Applications
that will require desktop software outside the Microsoft Office applications
should justify their application for these products.
o Anticipated student outcomes, as well as any data-gathering mechanisms
that will be put in place to assess student outcomes
o The extent to which the specific CPE programme will be tied to local, state, or
national technology standards, or any other curriculum, certification, or
accreditation standards that might apply
o The number of software licenses the grant applicant anticipates it will need to
implement the proposed CPE program, based on the number of potential
software users
o Where the CPE intends to install and use the software, including the
technical configuration of the site, the number and type of computers that will
be used, and relevant information about network and Internet connections.
5. Sign the Programme Authorization Form. The Grant Application must be endorsed
by both the Lead Institute Director/Principal as well as Director/Principal of any
participating organisation. If the CPE includes a not-for-profit organization, the
application must include the signature of the organization’s Senior Executive or
Director, as well as documentation of the organization’s not-for-profit status.
6. Submit the Application and Authorization forms to: Sarah Le Masurier, Innovative
Teachers Programme Manager, Microsoft Ltd, Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley
Park, Reading, RG6 1WG. Applications with electronic signatures may be submitted
to. itn-uk@microsoft.com
On what basis will grant recipients be selected?
Grant recipients will be selected by the Innovative Teachers Advisory Board on the basis of
the following criteria:
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The proposed CPE area of interest. Applicants are encouraged to form CPEs that
move beyond mere technical training, and instead seek to identify real problems in
the proposed area of interest that can be addressed through the use of technology.
The strength and composition of the proposed CPE. Proposals will be judged on
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the extent to which
their proposed CPE actively engages in partnerships to improve student outcomes
The quality and appropriateness of the proposed CPE project. Accepted
proposals will be those that have been judged by the Advisory Board to have the
greatest potential to help prospective/practicing teachers to improve student learning.
Issues relevant to the Innovative Teachers Programme community. The
Innovative Teachers community and Advisory Group will be consulted on relevant
areas of interest before final decisions are taken.
Microsoft reserves the right to accept or reject any application into the Innovative Teachers
software grants programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an LEA submit more than one grant application? Yes, if each grant application is
intended for a particular CPE project.
If an organisation submits a grant proposal for Period 1 and is not accepted into the
programme, will it be able to submit another grant application for Period 2? Yes. If an
application is not accepted, another can be submitted for the next period.
Are there any software or hardware requirements that must be met in order to qualify
for the programme? Yes. System requirements include Pentium-class computers running
the Microsoft Windows operating system or dual-platform environments that include both
Windows and Apple Macintosh systems. All computers in the programme must have
individual CD-ROMs or be connected to a larger network (in order to load the software), and
must have Internet access. Each CPE should have access to technical support.
Will the software licenses provided by Microsoft be available for personal use? No. The
contributions of Microsoft software licenses are intended solely for use at the educational
organisation (in dedicating training sites or mobile stations) in the training of prospective and
practicing teachers. They are not authorized for use by individual staff or departments in their
day-to-day work, nor are they authorized for use at CPE partner locations outside of the
organisations involved, unless permission is expressly sought from Microsoft.
Microsoft reserves the right to revoke licenses in the event that:
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Usage of the software extends beyond the Innovative Teachers Programme
Programme participants do not use the licenses in accordance with the Temporary
License Agreement and/or the applicable End User License Agreement
A participating CPE does not submit timely programme evaluations and promising
practice submissions to Microsoft.
Where do I find additional information on Microsoft’s Innovative Teachers Programme?
Visit www.microsoft.com/uk/education/training/teachers or mail itn-uk@microsoft.com
Innovative Teachers Programme
Software Grant Application Form
Please carefully review the application guidelines before completing this application.
After completing this application form, please gather the necessary signatures and post to:
Sarah Le Masurier, Innovative Teachers Programme Manager, Microsoft Ltd, Microsoft
Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, RG6 1WG. Applications with electronic signatures
may be submitted to. itn-uk@microsoft.com
CONTACT INFORMATION
LEA/Lead Institution Details:
Contact Name:
LEA/Institution name:
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Web Address:
Innovative Teachers Programme Project Director:
Name:
Job Title:
Department:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Mailing address if different than above (Do not use a P.O. Box):
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
Details of institutions in cluster (min 3):
1. Name of Contact:
Institution Name:
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Web Address:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Name of Contact:
Institution Name:
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Web Address:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Name of Contact:
Institution Name:
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Web Address:
4. Name of Contact:
Institution Name:
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Web Address:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------5. Name of Contact:
Institution Name:
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Web Address:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6. Name of Contact:
Institution Name:
Address:
Town/City:
County:
Postal Code:
E-mail:
Phone number:
Fax:
Web Address:
NARRATIVE QUESTIONS (Responses to be recorded under each numbered point.)
1. Describe your Community of Practice & Expertise (CPE); including the participating
organizations and individuals within those organizations who will be part of the project,
including the role which they will adopt. Also, describe any previous or current cooperative
programmes or projects of the group. (500 words max.)
2. Describe the area of pedagogical interest for the project and explain the importance of this
area in education and in your specific context. Include specific objectives for the project and
how success will be measured. Describe the extent to which the objectives of the project are
related to any local, state, national, curricular, certification, or accreditation standards. (1000
words max.)
3. Describe how your proposal will support/shape the teaching and learning process. Support
your expectations with reference to any relevant research, and describe any data-gathering
mechanisms that your CPE will use to assess student outcomes. (500 words max.)
LICENSING INFORMATION
1. How many software licenses will be required (one license is needed for each computer on
which the software will be loaded)?
2. Please describe where your CPE intends to house, load, and use the software, including
the number and types of computers, network connection, and internet connectivity.
Please ensure that you have a copy of the completed application form for your records.
Microsoft Innovative Teachers Programme
Grant Application Authorization Form
AUTHORIZATION SIGNATURES
LEA/Lead Institution Information
Name of Institution:
Name of Director/Principal:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
Community Institute Details
1. Name of Institution:
Name of Director/Principal:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
2. Name of Institution:
Name of Director/Principal:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
3. Name of Institution:
Name of Director/Principal:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
4. Name of Institution:
Name of Director/Principal:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
5. Name of Institution:
Name of Director/Principal:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
6. Name of Institution:
Name of Director/Principal:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
SIGNATURE OF PROJECT DIRECTOR
Name:
Title:
Signature: _________________________________________________________________
Date:
Please sign and return this form along with the completed application form.