PROGRAM-LEVEL
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING SUPPORT
Deadlines for submission of applications for Mini-Grants
October 1 for spring projects
March 1 for fall projects
Deadline for submission of applications for Mini-Projects,
Professional Development and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
First Monday of the month
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Assessment Council, with the support of the Office of the Provost, is pleased to make available
financial resources to assist faculty and staff with activities associated with student learning outcomes
assessment at the program level. The goals of these activities are to provide funding opportunities to
faculty and staff to assist with the development of sound learning outcomes assessment practices at
the program-level, encourage professional development associated with program-level outcomes
assessment, and to strengthen the infrastructure for the scholarship of teaching and learning.
Funding is available for the following assessment-related activities:
Mini-Grant: Awards up to $2,500. The purpose of a mini-grant is to provide start-up funds for a
new initiative directly related to the program’s outcomes assessment plan. These requests are
larger in scope and a commitment of matching funds from the department and/or college is
encouraged.

Mini-Project: Awards up to $500. Mini-projects include examining program goals as they
relate to outcomes assessment such as curricular design, program structure and pedagogy.
These projects are small in scope and will be awarded if resources permit.

Professional Development: Awards up to $1,500. Activities with the specific purpose to learn
and/or enhance program-level outcomes assessment knowledge and skills, such as attendance
to conferences, seminars or workshops-team attendance is encouraged; support for a faculty
retreat; support for an external expert; the purchase of books or other published materials.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Awards up to $1,500. Support faculty and staff who
are involved with the scholarship of teaching and learning through presentations at a state,
regional or national conference that are directly related to student learning assessment.
Activities related to program-level assessment will be looked at more favorably.
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
The application must be typed, dated and sent to the Office of Academic Affairs, Warriner 312 via an
email attachment to aaoffice@cmich.edu by the due date. The original application cover page must be
signed, dated and delivered to the Office of Academic Affairs, Warriner 312 within 3 working days from
email submission.
ELIGIBILITY
Faculty and staff who are involved with the development and implementation of program-outcomes
assessment activities are welcome to apply for support from the Assessment Council.
Revised 1/08
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants must show clearly the relationship of the proposed activity to the intended program
assessment plan and must show how the information gained will advance student academic
outcomes assessment for the program.
I.
APPLICATION COVER PAGE (See attachment)
II.
PROPOSAL CRITERIA (See attachment)
A.
Purpose:
a. Explain the proposed project/activity and its importance to the program’s assessment
plan.
b. Indicate the anticipated outcomes of the project.
B.
Methodology and Relevance to the Advancement of Student Learning Outcomes Assessment:
a. Mini-Grant or Mini-Project: Describe the project. Identify pertinent model(s) of
inquiry, materials and procedures to be used, and variables to be studied; Explain how
completion of the project will enhance academic outcomes assessment for the
program.
b. Professional Development: Explain why the intended activity will advance your
program’s assessment activity.
c. Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Describe the significance of the presentation
or publication; include information such as conference brochure, abstract, letter of
acceptance.
C.
Timetable: Indicate the anticipated dates for beginning and completing this project. Specify
any deadline dates of which the council should be cognizant as it considers your proposal.
D.
Budget: Itemize and explain each item for which funding is requested from the Council or
from elsewhere (please specify).
III. PROPOSAL EVALUATION
Mini-Grant
The council will focus support on a new initiative directly related to program-level student learning
outcomes assessment. Typically, funded projects will be those that are highlighted in the unit’s
assessment plan. Unit’s that have a commitment of matching funds and can show sustainability of
the project will be viewed more favorably. It is expected that funding would be provided only
once for a specific assessment project over a seven-year period.
Mini-Projects
Funded projects will be those that are highlighted in unit’s assessment plan. It is expected that
funding would be provided only once for a specific assessment project over a three-year period.
Professional Development
Individuals and departments will be funded for no more than one professional development activity
per year and will not be funded for the same activity more than once. Funds may support
participation in intensive workshops or courses that lead directly to development or improvement
of skills/knowledge directly relevant to academic outcomes assessment activities within programs
for which the faculty or staff member has assessment responsibility. Requests for professional
development funding should include a statement showing how the intended activity and/or
participation will advance the unit’s assessment activities. A copy of printed material describing
the event should be attached.
Scholarship for Teaching and Learning
Funding is to support faculty or staff with defraying the cost associated with presentations at a
state, regional or national conference that are directly related to student learning assessment
Requests for funding should include a statement showing how the applicant’s participation will
advance the unit’s assessment activities. A copy of print material describing the event should be
attached.
Revised 1/08
IV. AFTER RECEIVING FUNDING
1. Upon approval of Assessment Council grant, the recipient must inform the Office of Academic
Affairs the cost center number in which to transfer funds.
2. Recipient is required to operate within the budget presented. It is the responsibility of the
recipient to keep an accurate record of all expenditures and to provide appropriate
documentation for these expenditures. Any monies left in a project account after completion,
revert back to the Assessment Council.
3. All grants awarded by the committee must comply with the Central Michigan University
Intellectual Property Rights policy adopted by the Board of Trustees 12/6/96. Applicants
should take particular note of section V.A.2.d (3) of the policy statement. If a project results
in direct remuneration to the recipient, that person must return to the committee any monies
up to 100% of the total grant received from the committee. This includes funds from the sales
of objects produced or acquired as a consequence of the award by the committee.
4. Recipient must submit a brief summary of their completed assessment project to the
Assessment Council. The summary should note the direct and indirect benefits to the program
assessment. To provide an opportunity for the university community to become better
acquainted with the kind and quality of assessment projects supported by the committee,
recipients must be willing to present the results of their work at an assessment related
university event.
5. Assessment Council support should be acknowledged in all publications and presentations
resulting from this grant.
6. All materials submitted to the Assessment Council are considered to be public documents and
will be available by request.
Revised 1/08
ACADEMIC OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING SUPPORT
Assessment Council
I. APPLICATION COVER PAGE
Name of Applicant(s) (List Project Director first)
____________________________________________________________________________
Title of Proposal ______________________________________________________________
Department(s) ________________________________________________________________
Campus Mailing Address ________________________________________________________
E-mail Address _________________________________ Campus Phone _________________
Type of project:
____ Mini-Grant
____ Mini-Project
____ Professional Development
____ Scholarship of Teaching and learning
Total Amount for the project
$ __________________
Amount Requested from the Council
$___________________
Matching Funds from Department/College $___________________
Starting Date (M/Y): _____/______,
Ending Date: (M/Y): _____/______
_________________________________________________________
Applicant Signature
__________________
Date
_________________________________________________________
Chair or Director Signature
__________________
Date
___________________________________________________
Dean Signature
_______________
Date
Office of Curriculum and Assessment
ACADEMIC AFFAIRS, WARRINER 312
Revised 1/08
II. Proposal Outline
A. Purpose
B. Methodology and Relevance to the Advancement of Student Learning Outcomes
Assessment
C. Timetable
D. Budget
E. Attachment (if applicable) (e.g., workshop or conference information)
Revised 1/08