Promoting Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Missouri State
Teaching & Learning Grants for Faculty
Supporting reflective self-study of teaching and learning models and practices to
achieve optimal outcomes for student success.
Grant Awards of Up to $3000!
The FCTL Teaching & Learning Grant Program is a funding opportunity for Missouri State
Faculty. It is designed to support efforts towards advancing teaching and learning
practices at Missouri State University through involvement in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), which is a self-study of teaching and/or learning models and/or practices
undertaken with a focus on understanding and achieving optimal outcomes for student
success.
To be considered for funding, your project should be aligned with the principles of
a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) research project, which includes identifying
a problem or a discipline-based question that is framed around student learning, drawing
from research-based strategies, and applying sound methodology and evaluation processes
to assess teaching and learning improvements (Bass, 1999; Felten, 2013; McKinney,
2007).
All applications for Teaching & Learning Grants will undergo a peer review process
conducted by the FCTL Faculty Advisory Council, which includes representation from all MSU colleges. A scoring rubric will be utilized to evaluate all grant applications by the FCTL Faculty Advisory
Council, who will make the decision regarding funded projects.
Faculty may request up to $3,000, and budget detail and justification of funds is
a required component of the proposal. Recipients of this grant are expected to share
the outcomes of their project at FCTL's Showcase on Teaching and Learning or Scholarship
Summit and are encouraged to present at other relevant on- and off-campus conferences.
Once the Proposal Template above has been filled out, submit the completed proposal
through the FCTL Academic Community in Brightspace. If you have not already joined the FCTL Academic Community, select the 'Discover' tab from your Homepage Navigation Bar (more information) to search for the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
All MSU faculty members are eligible to apply. Applications can be submitted individually
or as a team (per course instructors and adjuncts are welcome to submit proposals
in collaboration with at least one full-time faculty member, who will serve as the
primary investigator.
Grant funds can be used in a variety of ways, including:
Instructional Materials
Direct costs associated with the purchase and/or production of curriculum modules,
supplemental instruction, workbooks, or other instructional materials (compensation
of time for faculty and/or graduate assistance is NOT allowed).
Note: Grant funds may not be used for salaries or stipends.
Equipment and/or Software
Equipment and/or software to support instruction.
Note: Computer upgrades, classroom upgrades, or other software/platforms that are
already being provided or are within the scope of the college or university will not
be covered by these funds.
Professional Development
Professional development including workshops, online courses or training, external
trainers, conference registration fees, and/or associated travel expenses (workshops
and training already provided through LinkedIn or other university venues is excluded).
Note: Grant funds may not be used for salaries or stipends.
Direct costs associated with supplies or other items needed to support the instructional
change are allowed. Incentives for students to participate in a faculty member's research
project will be considered; however, stipends, hourly rates, or covering student tuition
is not allowable.
Note: Grant funds may not be used for salaries or stipends.
Amounts up to $3000 are awarded, but applicants are encouraged to apply for lesser
amounts as well.
The FCTL provides assistance in the development of applications through:
Grant Application Workshops
The FCTL will be hosting grant application workshops to support faculty through the
application process and the development of a SoTL proposal. Register for a Teaching
& Learning Grant Application Workshop through My Learning Connection.
Proposal Reviews & Feedback
The FCTL team is ready to support the development of a proposal by offering proposal
brainstorming, reviews, and feedback.
Projects must be completed within the academic year following receipt of the award
(i.e., funds will be disbursed by August 1 and must be expanded no later than June
1).
Grant recipients will be recognized during the all-faculty recognition event held
each spring and as presenters at theFaculty Showcase of Teaching & Learning each August. Additionally, faculty SoTL projects will be made available through the
FCTL website and may also be highlighted in faculty resource materials shared via
the MSU/FCTL website(s).
Successful recipients are expected to provide a brief report of their SoTL inquiry
to be shared publicly through MSU/FCTL website(s) and at various faculty development
and/or recognition opportunities. Recipients are required to provide evidence of some
form of sharing the SoTL inquiry with others.
Bass, R. (1999). The scholarship of teaching: What’s the problem? Inventio, 1(1).
Boyer, E. L., Moser, D., Ream, T. C., Braxton, J. M. (2016). Scholarship reconsidered:
Priorities of the professoriate. (Expanded Edition).
Felten, P. (2013). Principles of good practice in SoTL. Teaching & Learning Inquiry: The ISSOTL Journal, 1(1), 121-125.
Glassick, C., Huber, M., & Maeroff, G. (1997). Scholarship assessed: Evaluation of the professoriate.
Huber, M.T. (2004). Balancing acts: The scholarship of teaching and learning in academic
careers. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. (Available for check
out in FCTL)
Hutchings, P. (2000). Approaching the scholarship of teaching and learning. In P.
Hutchings (Ed.), Opening lines: Approaches to the scholarship of teaching and learning
Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. (Available for check out in FCTL)
McKinney, K. (2007). Enhancing learning through the scholarship of teaching and Learning: The challenges
and joys of juggling.
Mettetal, G. (2001). The what, why and how of classroom action research. The Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning 2(1), 6-13.
