Seed Grants for New SoTL Scholars
At Illinois State University we define SoTL as the "systematic study/reflection on teaching and learning of our ISU students made public." This definition allows for research on teaching and learning across disciplines and methodologies. The work may be quantitative or qualitative in nature and focus on class, course, program, department, cross-department, and co-curricular levels. All SoTL work must be made public and peer reviewed in some way via presentation, performance, juried show, web site, video, and/or publication.
Applications for seed grant funding for new SoTL scholars (faculty who are planning/conducting their first SoTL project) will be accepted during the 2023-24 academic year. Grant funds will be awarded (in the form of a stipend) for work toward one of the following:
- writing an IRB for a SoTL project,
- writing a literature review to prepare to conduct a SoTL project,
- gathering/collecting/analyzing data for a SoTL project, or
- applying SoTL to solve a teaching/learning issue in your classroom.
Up to 12 SoTL Seed Grants in the amount of $500 will be awarded to faculty conducting their first SoTL project. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through May 1, 2024, with awards granted throughout the 2023-24 academic year until funds are exhausted.
Important note: If funding is being requested to purchases software or online services, the purchase needs to vetted in conjunction with the campus’ information security office. Funding will not be released until a Data Usage Form is approved.
Eligibility
Any tenured and tenure-line faculty, non-tenure line faculty, faculty associates, and AP Staff with teaching or teaching support responsibilities at ISU who are planning or conducting their first-ever SoTL project are eligible to apply.
Application Procedure
A brief narrative (500-750 words maximum) is required, including an overview of the research topic(s)/question(s) being studied, a description of WHY the topic(s)/question(s) is of interest to the applicant, and a timeline for the project that details the work to be accomplished with the support of a SoTL Seed Grant.
Requirements for Recipients
All applicants will attest to the following as part of the application process:
- The project described in the narrative is the first SoTL project the applicant has designed or conducted.
- A brief report describing progress toward completion of the SoTL project will be submitted by the applicant to Jen Friberg by May 1, 2024.
- IRB approval is required for all SoTL work that involves the use of human subjects (keep in mind that students are considered human subjects!).
- Explicit recognition of this funding source will be acknowledged for all presentations, publications, etc., resulting from this project.
Contact Jen Friberg, Cross Chair in SoTL @ jfribe@ilstu.edu, with questions.