UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE
INTERNATIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM
Procedures and Guidelines (revised November 2013)
IMPORTANT DATES
Notification of Awards:
10 ½ weeks after proposal deadline
Availability of Funds:
Generally, the beginning of the fiscal year in which you have been awarded (July 1). However, exceptions
may be considered for faculty leaving close to the start of the fiscal year.
Final Written Report Due:
Within 30 days return to the U.S.; submit to the Center for International Education, College Dean and
Department Chair
I.
GENERAL INFORMATION
THE INTERNATIONAL FELLOWS PROGRAM: The International Fellows program capitalizes on the strength and success of high impact
academic experiences and is dedicated to supporting international student-faculty collaborative research/creative activity and research
service-learning (i.e. service-learning experience conducted in conjunction with field research). This program aims to achieve the
following objectives:
1. To actualize the Centennial Plan’s commitment to accelerate global learning,
2. To support the Centennial Plan’s commitment to transformational learning, and
3. To fulfill an unmet student and faculty need for financial support to conduct international research and creative activities.
In addition, one hope is that some funded projects might grow into longer-term, self-sustaining international relationships or study
abroad programs.
Funding for the International Fellows Program has been awarded from Blugold Commitment funds. Effective April 2011, if awarded,
travel, services, and supplies funds will be transferred to your departmental Blugold Commitment account once you provided an IRB
or IACUC protocol number as appropriate for research involving human or animal subjects. Generally, funds cannot be transferred
until the beginning of the fiscal year for which you have been awarded. However, exceptions may be considered for faculty leaving
close to the start of the fiscal year. The Center for International Education will process the CISI insurance enrollment and payment as
well as the faculty and student stipends.
RESEARCH DEFINITION: For the purposes of this grant program, the International Fellows Committee defines the term “research”
as any original, investigative, or other type of scholarly activity. As such, the proposed work may include a variety of original and
creative efforts directed toward the advancement of knowledge and understanding within any academic discipline. The committee
recognizes that methods of inquiry vary among disciplines. Methodologies used in the basic and applied sciences, for example, will
likely differ from those in education. Nonetheless, all proposed projects must meet the following criteria: (1) demonstrate a degree of
originality and independence on the part of the student(s), (2) clearly stated research goals, (3) a realistic methodology that
appropriately addresses the goals, (4) a clear and reasonable timeline, and (5) results or products with potential for publication,
presentation, and/or dissemination through other acceptable means of professional communication or expression. If you are looking to
create a faculty-led study abroad program, please redirect to the CIE’s Opportunities for UW-Eau Claire Faculty page:
http://www.uwec.edu/CIE/divisions/uwecfaculty/teachabroad.htm
ELIGIBILITY: UW-Eau Claire faculty and academic staff with .5 FTE or greater appointments are eligible to apply. First time
applications are encouraged. In order to apply, students must be degree-seeking undergraduate students at UW-Eau Claire at the time
of application and throughout the research project. Graduate students are not eligible for this Blugold commitment funding. At least
one student on the research team must have a minimum of one additional semester at UW-Eau Claire after the project is completed to
help disseminate research on campus and to ensure research is completed.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: (1) Applicants must demonstrate some financial support from their college, department, unit or division
as part of the application. (2) Mentor(s) and student(s) must spend a minimum of three consecutive weeks, including travel, in the host
country together and all projects must occur during the Winterim or summer so as not to interfere with semester academic and
administrative commitments. For faculty on sabbatical, fall and spring projects are also possible. (3)The host country cannot be under
a U.S. State Department Travel Warning. For a current list, please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html (4)
Project objectives should be clear, reasonable in scope and timing, and clearly placed within the theory and methodology of the
academic discipline. (5) Proposals that included research service-learning should demonstrate the support of a community partner and
the appropriateness and feasibility of the service project. (A letter of support from the collaborating partner would be helpful.). (6)
Mentor(s) and/or student(s) must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the host country culture and language to complete the proposed
project. (7) Funding recipients are expected to present their research or creative activity outcomes at UW-Eau Claire Celebration of
Excellence in Research and Creative Activity (CERCA) and/or UW System Symposium. Students are also encouraged to present their
results at other discipline-specific research venues. (8) Any benefits to the campus community should be clearly stated (e.g.
internationalization of course content; establishing international connection for future research; promoting ongoing, sustainable,
economic, social and educational development; making contacts for faculty or student Fulbrights, etc.). (9) Travel funding requests
under $10,000 are strongly encouraged. Please note that student and faculty stipends are not counted against the $10,000 travel
funding request. (10) The research team will be required to submit a final report at the end of the project that included copies of all
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TERs, as well as faculty and student surveys associated with the project. (11) No funding will be approved if previous IFP final reports
are incomplete.
II.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Step 1.
Identify a research or creative activity of interest to you. Select UWEC students with interests similar to yours and
discuss project possibilities with them. Then, work together to plan and design your project.
Step 2.
Write a proposal narrative that closely follows the guidelines of this document (see Section III D, Narrative). Then
design a budget to fund the expenses required for your project (see Section III B, Project Budget Summary). Travel
funding requests under $10,000 are strongly encouraged. Please note that student and faculty stipends are not counted
against the $10,000 travel funding request.
Step 3.
You, your department Chairperson or Unit Administrator, and your College Dean/Associate Dean must sign the cover
page (Attachment A) of your proposal. Please refer to your respective Dean’s signature deadline. Applicants must
demonstrate some financial support from their college department, unit, or division as part of the application. (Please
note: This does not guarantee funding.)
Step 4.
You are responsible for ensuring the signed proposal arrives in the Center for International Education by the
stated deadline.
Step 5.
Applicants will be notified in writing by the Center for International Education of the funding decisions upon completion
of the review process. A copy of the notification will also be sent to the Department Chair or Program Director. If
approved, the funds are generally transferred to the academic department and the faculty mentors make arrangements to
use these funds through individual department offices. The proposal becomes the University’s permanent file copy
and serves as a contract between you and the University, indicating that you will fulfill your obligations as outlined
in this document.
Step 6.
The final report, including completion of faculty and student surveys, is a grant requirement. This report must be
sent to the Center for International Education, your College Dean and your Department Chair. No funding will be
approved if previous IFP final report is not complete.
III.
PROPOSAL WRITING GUIDELINES
The proposal must consist of the following sections and must be assembled in the following order:
A.
B.
Attachment A: Cover Sheet
1.
Title of Research or Creative Activity (Self Explanatory)
2.
Applicant Information -- If the proposal has multiple applicants, supply complete information on all applicants, on
a separate sheet.
3.
Student Collaborator(s) Information -- Preference will be given to the projects with declared student
collaborator(s) at the time of application.
4.
Grant Period -- Include expected project starting and completion dates. Mentor(s) and student(s) must spend a
minimum of three consecutive weeks in the host country together and all projects must occur during the Winterim or
summer so as not to interfere with semester academic and administrative commitments. Faculty on sabbatical may
apply for fall or spring terms.
5.
Synopsis of Proposed Project – Provide short summary of proposed project which if funded will be shared
publically.
6.
Signatures – It is your responsibility (1) to obtain signatures of your appropriate Chairperson/Unit Administrator
and College Dean/Associate Dean, and (2) to ensure the proposal is delivered to the Center for International
Education by the deadline. Faculty collaborating across departments and/or colleges and faculty with split
appointments must get signature from all relevant chairs/administrators and deans. These signatures must include a
statement of support, amount of funding support, account number from which the funding support will be released,
and the fiscal year for which the funding support will be allotted.
Attachment B: Project Budget Summary Sheet
The program will provide funding for the cost of round-trip to and from the host country for mentor(s) and students(s) and for
in-country travel and lodging. The International Fellows project grants are not intended to be projects without any personal
expenses. Please expect some cost and ensure student participants understand that there will likely be personal contribution for
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the experience. Project funding excludes food, passports, visa, phone and internet, laundry, tourist activities non-related to
research project, and any additional personal expenses. It is expected that the budget is accurate as noted in the proposal. Grant
recipients are not guaranteed additional funds in the case that expenses exceed those budgeted.
An itemized budget request must accompany each proposal (the Project Budget Summary sheet). It is very important that
applicants carefully assess their needs and request funds accordingly. Applicants must relate budget items with materials or
expenses discussed in the proposal narrative, (e.g., if travel funds are requested, the narrative should explain why the travel is
necessary for completion of the project). Note: applicants should not include broad categories such as “miscellaneous” or
“other” without proper description and justification-- they will not be considered for funding and may influence the
evaluation of the proposal. Budget entries should be rounded to the nearest dollar. The International Fellows Committee
reserves the right to adjust budgets.
If your International Fellows project is awarded, funds generally cannot be released until the beginning of the fiscal year in
which the funds are allotted (July 1). However, exceptions may be considered to faculty leaving close to the start of the fiscal
year.
D.
F.
IV.
Narrative (not to exceed five, single-sided, double-spaced pages, in no smaller than a 10-pt font): All applicants MUST
follow the general narrative outline provided below (Avoid jargon and undefined abbreviations.):
1.
Statement of the Problem/Significance of the Project. Be succinct; clearly state the significance or your research
question or goal.
2.
Objectives. Discuss the specific outcome(s) and product(s) of the project. If the anticipated outcomes are quantifiable,
explain how they will be measured.
3.
Project Plan. Design a project plan consistent with your academic discipline. Include procedures and nature of student
and mentor activities.
4.
Project Timeline. Provide a detailed explanation that includes pre-departure activities, dates abroad, and re-entry
activities, including presenting your research at CERCA.
5.
Mentor/Student Knowledge of Host Country. Provide a detailed explanation addressing preparation for the host country
(e.g., language skills, experience in host country, experience with host country nationals, etc.)
6.
Safety and Risk Management. These activities should address preparation for the host country including detailed safety
and risk management strategies. Useful links are: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (http://www.cdc.gov/), U.S.
Department of State (http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html), and Association for Safe International Road Travel
(http://www.asirt.org/).
7.
In country Collaborators. This is optional. Provide a detailed description of community partner arrangement, feasibility
and sustainability of the project. A letter of support from the host country is encouraged.
8.
Dissemination of Research Results. Describe possible forms of the final product, (e.g., publishable manuscript,
conference paper, invention, software, exhibit, performance, etc.) in addition to CERCA. Be specific about the methods
used to disseminate your results to a wide audience, (e.g., state the target journal for publication of a manuscript, the
conference for presentation of the results, or the site for a performance or exhibition).
9.
Expected Benefits. Describe expected benefits to UWEC in the following (a) Teaching (b) Research (c) Student learning
and development (d) the institution.
Appendices (include only if absolutely necessary, i.e., for additional, essential information or
diagrams)
FINAL REPORT
Final reports, including faculty and student surveys, are a requirement for the IFP grant and 1 copy each is due to the College Dean,
Department Chair, and the Center for International (ifp@uwec.edu) within 30 days after return to the U.S.
Reports will vary in content and should include the following items:
1.
2.
Logistics. On-site preparations, pre-departure orientation, student arrival, and post-project activities.
International Fellows Project Objectives and Outcomes. List the proposed project objectives and detail how each was
accomplished.
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3.
Service Learning Component. If applicable; was it appropriate for the project, did it go as planned? Were there any
outcomes?
4.
Project Benefits. How has being involved in this project enhanced your professional development? How has the project
enhanced participating students’ academic/intellectual, personal, leadership, professional, and cross-cultural
competencies?
5.
Health and Safety. Were there any health-related incidents such as accidents, serious illness, mental health issues and
how were these handled? Did anyone file a claim with CISI insurance?
6.
Research Dissemination Plan. Describe the plan for research dissemination and publications. Please give dates (year) of
expected CERCA presentations. If applicable, also give estimated timeline for publications.
7.
Funding Report. Attach a copy of your Travel Expense Report. Note any additional information necessary.
8.
Surveys. Complete student and faculty survey sent via email from the CIE a week after your return to the United States.
9.
Other feedback.
Acknowledgement of IFP grant: All scholarly products resulting from the project should acknowledge funding from the
International Fellows Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in that final product.
This document has been modified with permission from the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse’s Graduate Office.
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