Good Ideas Acquire a Life of Their Own
Over the last three years, Learning Grants have generated new and exciting initiatives, and a number of colleges have recognized the value of projects funded with a Learning Grant. For example, "Gateway to the Arts" has been identified by GateWay Community College as an outreach to the community and a valuable teaching resource. The Learning Grants have also provided matching funds for the Paradise Valley Community College Center for International Studies to team up with the Maricopa County Library District to present Losing Geography, Discovering Self. The series highlights authors and films that focus on the Southwest's evolving cultural issues.
What Are Learning Grants?
Maricopa's Learning Grants support projects that are designed to improve, advance, and enrich student learning. The grants are flexible and intended to support ideas and projects at the appropriate stage of development. Qualifying proposals will range from formative ideas that explore learning concepts to fully tested models ready to be adopted and disseminated.
For 2003-2004 funding, applications will be accepted from December 2, 2002 to February 14, 2003. Applications received after 5 p.m. on February 14, 2003, will not be considered. All applications will be reviewed after February 14, 2003, and applicants will receive notification of their grant's outcome by March 31, 2003.
What Are Some Examples of Funded Projects?
The following are examples of projects that have been funded through the Learning Grants Program. For more examples, see the Learning Grant Gallery
- Multimedia for Humanities: Integrating the Disciplines
- Gateway to the Arts II
- Creating the Balance - In Dance and Life
- Jazz Performance/Clinic
- Knowledge Haloes: Interactive Learning Modules for Geology Lecture and Lab
- Life @ Your Library
- 21st Century Nursing: WebCT and Beyond
Projects/components NOT supported by the Learning Grants are:
- Purchases of capital equipment.
- Continuation of "soft money" projects.
- Routine responsibilities of the faculty/college/center.
- Projects that cross multiple fiscal years (July 1-June 30).
- Stipends for attending faculty development events.
- Projects that are covered under Faculty Professional Growth guidelines (e.g. travel, summer projects, academic advancement.)
Who Can Apply For Learning Grants?
All faculty, both residential and adjunct, and administrators are eligible to apply. Adjunct faculty should team up with a residential faculty member or department/ division chair to provide an on-campus contact for the grant.
How Much Money Is Available for a Grant?
Allocations are $250 to $10,000 per project depending on project goals; types of activities and events proposed; resources required; degree of involvement of faculty, students, and administrators; and potential benefits to students. The maximum allocation is $10,000. Note: Individual faculty salaries in one grant cycle cannot exceed the replacement value of six load hours of reassigned time or the equivalent dollars on extended contracts.
How Do I Get Ready to Apply?
You are encouraged to discuss your project idea with your dean of instruction, faculty development coordinator, and department/division chair before submitting your learning grant.
How Does the Online Submission Process Work?
Starting December 2, 2002, the entire application, review, and management of the Learning Grants will be handled online. Your personalized Learning Grants page will list all grants you have submitted or on which you are listed as a grant participant.
Here is how it works: My Grants is your personalized space for creating, tracking, and reviewing Learning Grant applications. To start working on an application, create an account based on your email address. First time users will receive their passwords via email within seconds of clicking Create My Account. If you created an account last year, you can use the same password and click Go to My Grants. If you have forgotten your password, this web page gives directions on how to retrieve it.
To work on your application, click New Grant. The Application Outline briefly describes the four steps for preparing the application:
- The Applicants (who is applying)
- Grant Overview (grant summary)
- Detailed Narrative (Project Description, Timeline, Impact on Student Learning, Evaluation, Dissemination)
- Itemized Budget
Before submitting your application, you may want to have a colleague review the application for completeness and clarity. You can use the online system to send a copy of your draft or completed grant application to any email address.
How Do I Submit My Application?
Once your draft is finished and ready to be sent to MCLI, click Submit on the Application Outline screen. You will get a receipt confirmation by email.
When you submit your completed application, a copy will be sent automatically to your dean of instruction and department/division chair.
Who Will Review My Learning Grant?
Your application will be reviewed based on the merits of the proposed project and available funds. The internal and external readers (faculty developers, Ocotillo members, MCLI faculty, college discipline specialists, and former grantees) are selected based on the nature of the proposed project.
When Will I Be Notified About My Learning Grant?
You, as well as your dean of instruction and department/division chair, can expect notification on your grant application by March 31, 2003.
For more information, please contact one of the coordinators or visit the Learning Grants web site.
 Robert Galloway and Jeffrey Pommerville, Ph.D, mcli
Learning Grants
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/learngrant/
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