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What are Learning Grants?

Maricopa Community College District Learning Grants

• Support innovative projects that are designed to improve, advance, and enrich student learning.
• Support projects on a one-time, one-year basis.
• Are flexible and intended to support ideas and projects at the appropriate stage of development.

Qualifying proposals range from formative ideas that explore learning concepts to fully tested models ready to be adopted and disseminated. Before submitting your learning grant, you are required to discuss your project idea with your Vice President of Academic Affairs. You may also want to discuss your proposal with your Division Chair and Faculty Development Coordinator.

What Are Some Examples of Funded Projects?

• Digital Storytelling Premier: One World, Many Voices
• Interactive Anatomy and Physiology Tutorials
• Latin American Film Festival
• Cultivating Communities of Practice

See more examples in the Learning Grant Gallery

What is not supported by Learning Grants?

• Purchases of software and equipment such as computers, digital cameras, DVD players, display cases, etc.
• Continuation of "soft money" projects, including continuation of projects previously funded through learning grants
• Routine responsibilities of the faculty, college, or center submitting the proposal
• Projects that cross multiple fiscal years (July 1-June 30)
• Stipends for attending faculty development events
• Funding for student participation in the project
• Projects that are covered under Faculty Professional Growth Guidelines, e.g. travel, summer projects, academic advancement

See information on FPG Guidelines

Who Can Apply For Learning Grants?

• All faculty, residential, adjunct, and one-year-only (OYO), administrators, and staff are eligible to apply.
• Adjunct faculty and one-year-only faculty should team up with a residential faculty member or department/division chair to provide an on-campus contact for the grant. Inclusion on a learning grant application does not guarantee future employment with Maricopa.
• Note: Salaries for faculty participating in one or more grants cannot exceed the replacement value of six load hours of reassigned time or the equivalent dollars on extended contracts in one fiscal year.

How Much Money Is Available for a Grant?

Allocations are $250 to $12,000 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.

How Does the Online Process Work?

The entire application, review, and management of the Learning Grants will be handled completely online. The system opens for submitting completed applications on November 3, 2008). Your personalized Learning Grants page will list all grants you you have submitted or on which you are listed as a grant participant, as well as grants from previous years.

The process works as follows: 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.

Starting November 3, 2008, to work on your application, click New Grant. The Application Outline briefly describes the five steps for preparing the application.

1. The Applicants (who is applying)
2. Grant Overview (grant summary)
3. Project Proposal
   • Project description with goals and objectives
   • Alignment with college's strategic priorities
   • Impact on student learning
   • Reflection of best practices in discipline
   • Evaluation of success
   • Dissemination of results
4. Plan for Implementation
5. Itemized Budget

Remember, before submitting your application, you must discuss your project idea with your Vice President of Academic Affairs. For additional tips on completing your application, read the Four-D's for success.

How Do I Submit My Application?

• Once your draft is finished and ready to be sent to MCLI, click Submit on the Application Overview screen. You will receive a confirmation by email.
• When you submit your completed application, a copy will be sent automatically to your Vice President of Academic Affairs and Division Chair.

Who Will Review My Learning Grant?

Your application will be reviewed based on the merits of the proposed project and available funds. Maricopa faculty reviewers are selected based on the nature of the proposed project.

When Will I Be Notified?

You, as well as your Vice President of Academic Affairs and Division Chair, can expect notification on your grant application in February 2009.