Part-time faculty members are eligible to apply for a showcase grant with one or more students.  Work is done during the academic year and presented at the annual Research and Performance Showcase.  Funds may be used for research expenses, but not stipends.  The remaining grants are limited to full-time faculty.

How many grants are awarded each year?

This varies from year to year depending on the number and quality of the proposals, the size of the awards and the funds available from donors and other sources. 

In 2013-2014, FDC funded approximately 60% percent of the requests we received under summer research grant programs and the curriculum development grant program.

Showcase grants are awarded on a rolling basis, so applying as soon as possible within a funding year is your best option.

In 2015-2016, we are anticipating being able to award approximately the same number of Faculty Summer Research Grants as we did in 2014-2015, depending on the quality of proposals and the size of the awards. 


How should I pitch my proposal? Who is the audience?

Proposals are read and evaluated by the Faculty Development Committee.  The committee members come from a diverse array of disciplines, so it is important you make your proposal understandable to a broad audience.  When possible, avoid discipline specific jargon.  Help the committee understand the broader context for your work.  In terms of your discipline, how does your research question fit into work within the discipline?  What big picture ideas does your project relate to outside of your discipline?  Also, give information about disciplinary conventions when relevant.  For example, this may include research methods which vary by discipline as well as such things as author ordering conventions and disciplinary expectations for dissemination.


What criteria are used to evaluate research proposals?

Proposals compete under each grant program against proposals from many different fields.  It is important that your proposal is clear, well organized and understandable to a broad audience.  The committee considers the scholarly merit of the project to the best of its ability. Defining your project clearly, with specific details of how the study or project will be carried out are crucial.

Within science and social science, the ability of your methodology to answer your stated research question will be considered.   In creative endeavors, it is important to explain how your work might be published, viewed, and how these fit into your discipline.   In all fields, it is especially important to make clear how your contribution differs from or extends work that is already out there in your field.  Remember, these may not be self-evident to faculty in fields different from yours.   The potential for making an original contribution and the overall feasibility given the time and resources available are also considered.

We also consider the impact of a successful grant proposal on your career as a faculty member at Elmhurst College.  Make clear the links between this project and your overall ongoing scholarship.  Pre-tenure faculty members should discuss the impact on their scholarship goals for achieving tenure, pre-promotion faculty should discuss the impact on their prospects for promotion.  Tenured full professors should discuss the work in terms of contribution to their ongoing scholarship.  We also view favorably projects that may lead to external funding or other recognition.  This consideration will be particularly important in fields where significant funding agencies exist.  If your field does not have many opportunities for external funding, we also take this into consideration.  

Additionally, the proposal will be strongest if you make the the relationships to the mission of the college clear.   For example, as Elmhurst identifies as a primarily undergraduate liberal arts institution, faculty-student collaborative research is especially encouraged.  Thus, incorporating students into projects as research assistants or collaborators is viewed favorably.

If there are significant travel funds, you must clearly justify the need for the travel.  Why is this travel necessary for completion of the project?  Could this work be done without incurring travel expenses?  How likely is this to result in publishable work (or analogous activity in the context of your discipline)?  You should also address your use of travel funds from the department and dean's office. 


What criteria are used to evaluate curriculum development proposals?

Proposals compete under each grant program against proposals from many different departments. Like research proposals, it is important that your proposal is clear, well organized and understandable to a broad audience. 

One primary consideration is the relationship of your proposal to the stated curricular initiative and how well that is articulated in your proposal.  If you are unsure if your course fits under the program, consult the CST Director or the Associate Dean.

Another main consideration is how your course addresses the needs of the college.  This may include the impact and need within your department, such as the need to modernize or diversify course offerings to majors.  This may also include the needs of college wide programs such as needs within the ECIC program.  For example, the committee is very interested in course proposals that expand the number of disciplines represented within each AoK, and those that meet tagging requirements within ECIC. The likely appeal of the course and the ability to attract students will be considered, so you will want to address this as well.

The committee will also consider the qualification(s) of the faculty members to offer a course in this area.  We welcome proposals designed to expand the applicant's areas of expertise, however.  If the subject matter is new for you, specific activities that you will engage in to learn about the area should be mentioned.  For example,  going to workshops and conferences related to teaching or scholarship is encouraged. Faculty members have also used funding to take courses or for private language instruction.

We also consider the impact of a successful grant proposal on your career as a faculty member at Elmhurst College.  This includes impact on your teaching offerings as well as how this course may impact other courses or programs.  The potential for public dissemination, potential relationship to, or impact on, your scholarly or creative work will be considered. 


I've heard about bidisciplinary and interdisciplinary curriculum grants.  Where are they? What is the difference between an interdisciplinary course and a bidisciplinary one? Are these separate programs?

We no longer offer bidisciplinary and interdisciplinary curriculum development grants. We use the term bidisciplinary for a specific type of course within the Elmhurst College Integrated Curriculum (ECIC).  ECIC bidisciplinary courses are team taught and meet two Areas of Knowledge (AoKs) within ECIC.   The bidisciplinary grant program ran from 2009-2012 following the adoption of ECIC and ended after its planned three-year run.  The interdisciplinary curriculum grant program was a broader program instituted in 2007.  (It also included support for bidisciplinary course development in 2012-2014).  Unfortunately, this program was suspended in 2014. 


How can I get IRB approval?  Do I need IRB approval to apply for a grant?

If your project uses human subjects, you must obtain IRB approval prior to any contact with human subjects.  Instructions are available here:
http://public.elmhurst.edu/academics/irb

If your project uses human subjects, you must APPLY for IRB approval prior to, or concurrently with, your CST grant application.

If you have already gone through the IRB and received approval, note this in the appropriate section of your proposal along with the date and relevant information from your approval form.  If you have previously submitted your proposal to the IRB and are awaiting approval or are in discussions with the IRB, note the date submitted and the current situation in the appropriate section of your CST grant application.  If you are applying concurrently, note this in the appropriate section as well and attach the IRB application to the e-mail with your proposal.  In this case, make sure you also submit a copy of the IRB proposal directly to the IRB, not just CST. 

Funding will not be released until IRB approval is obtained.


How much funding may I apply for?

You may apply for up to the total grant amount listed for the grant program(s) you are applying under.  You are free to apply for a lower amount if less is needed. 


The directions specify an itemized budget, how specific do I need to be?

Similar expenses may be categorized under one heading like chemicals, plumbing fittings, printing costs, media, etc.  Each small item within a category does not need to be itemized if the heading is reasonably self-explanatory to someone outside your field.  Larger expenses, such as equipment or unusual supplies, should be itemized and included separately. 


If I receive a grant, when may I begin spending the money?

Funds for supplies, equipment and other materials/consumables are generally released as soon as your grant is awarded (generally late spring). 

Faculty stipends are generally awarded in one lump sum in June.  Student stipends for the faculty-student collaborative grants are paid in three equal installments in June, July and August.  Smaller student stipends under other grant programs may also be paid in three installments, or you may request other arrangements. 

You may incur expenses up through June 30 of the following year, subject to your continuing employment at the college.  All receipts should be submitted prior to this date.

If your grant uses human subjects, your project must be approved prior to the dispersal of funds.
 

How do I purchase equipment and supplies?  How do I receive reimbursement for grant related travel or purchases?  How do I pay non-student assistants?

Debra Marzullo in the Office of Academic Affairs will assist you with ordering, reimbursement and payments for summer grants.  Travel reimbursement will utilize the College's Travel Expense Form.  

Showcase Grants and Special Opportunity Grants are handled by Brittany Ruiz, administrative assistant for CST (SC 123).


Can I have my stipend in smaller installments over the whole summer?

Generally no, because the faculty stipends are allocated from the funds available in the current fiscal year.


I am not sure exactly how much something will cost by the time I am able to make the purchase.  If it costs more or less than I put in my proposal, what happens?

Once the grant is awarded, you are free to reallocate funds within the project for things like supplies and equipment up to your total.  Changes to stipends require consultation due to the timing of the dispersal of these funds.  Major changes to expenditures require the approval of the CST Director and the Associate Dean.