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"Transforming K-State into an Engaged Institution"
ENGAGEMENT INCENTIVE GRANTS
As a Land-Grant University, K-State has, as one of its fundamental missions, the application of research, teaching, and outreach for the betterment of the quality of life for the citizens of Kansas. The degree to which Land-Grant universities accomplish this mission and the quality of the dialogue and collaboration both across the university and outside of the university is captured in the term "engagement". A 1999 Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land Grant Universities defined an "engaged university" as one in which "teaching, research, and extension and service functions have been redesigned to become more [actively and] productively involved with their communities, however community may be defined. Embedded in the engagement ideal is a commitment to reciprocity". At Kansas State University we believe engagement occurs when collaborative scholarship (researching, teaching, and outreach) is directed toward a public need and when the relationship between university and non-university partners is reciprocal and mutually beneficial. The Engagement Incentive Grants are designed to provide opportunities for faculty to become more fully engaged in teaching, research, and outreach.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Center for Engagement and Community Development solicits proposals from Directors, tenured and tenure-track faculty, full-time instructors, and KSRE faculty for projects that will lead to enhanced engagement in teaching, research, and/or outreach. Examples of engagement activities of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Instructional programs that incorporate service learning
- Design and piloting of multidisciplinary, engaged curricula and degree programs across colleges
- Community-based participatory research
- Applied interdisciplinary research aimed at solving important public problems
- Technical assistance on issues such as environment, public health, education, housing, transportation, and small business development
- Leadership development
- Training and educational programs that will strengthen the economic and/or social well-being of people
- Programs aimed at bettering the lives of underserved populations
- Community asset identification and mapping, strategic planning, and resource development
For examples of previous grant awardees, please visit CECD Initiatives.
These grants are intended to provide seed money to faculty who would like to incorporate engagement into their instructional, research, and/or outreach programs. Activities supported by this program should lead to a larger project concept and the submission of a proposal for external funding. While preference will be given to sustainable projects that have potential long-term impact (i.e. 5-10 years), proposed projects should also be able to show tangible results in the short-term (i.e. 2 years). Proposals should clearly outline both the short-term and the potential long-term outcomes. Proposals should identify their benchmarks for success. These grants are not intended to provide support for established areas of teaching, research or outreach, or previously funded projects.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility is limited to Directors, tenured or tenure-track faculty, full-time instructors, and KSRE faculty. Temporary, visiting, adjunct, part-time faculty, postdoctoral research or teaching assistants are not eligible to serve as principle investigators. No individual may serve as a Co-PI on more than one project, but individuals may be collaborators on multiple proposals.
REVIEW CRITERIA AND PROCESS
This program will be managed by the Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD), which reports to the Provost. Proposals will be reviewed by a panel appointed by the Director of CECD. Final funding decisions will be made by the Director of CECD in consultation with the review panel. Review criteria include:
- Identification of a multidisciplinary team representing some combination of campus, KSRE and stakeholder partners who have been involved in the proposal development
- Projected outcomes for all collaborative partners
- Clarity and appropriateness of project objectives
- Clarity of the planned engagement activities
- Reasonableness and specificity of project action plan
- Demonstrated understanding of engagement
- If involving students, expected contribution to students' learning objectives and experience
- Sustainability of the project
- Potential for project to clearly demonstrate outcomes related to engagement
Special consideration will be given to proposals that demonstrate collaboration among faculty members across colleges, disciplines, and units and/or include partnerships among academic and KSRE faculty at K-State, and other agencies and/or institutions, such as regional universities or community colleges in Kansas, and where the community work is at least 50 miles beyond Manhattan.
Special consideration will be given to those engagement grant proposals that demonstrate matching funds from their department and/or college. The suggested match would be one dept./college dollar for every four dollars provided by CECD.
FUNDING LIMITS AND USE OF FUNDS
The Center for Engagement and Community Development will be offering incentive awards up to $15,000. These funds may be spent over a maximum two year period. A fundamental element of engaged work is collaboration among all stakeholders and investigators. We believe it is important for departments and colleges to demonstrate investment in engaged projects initiated in their departments. Demonstration of matching funds is therefore encouraged. Grants are intended to support the development of new engagement activities or to build engagement into current activities. The program is not intended to be a source of support for ongoing engagement activities, nor is it an alternative source of funds for programs already developed to a level which normally would justify support from external sources. These grant funds can be used as matching funds, where such funds are required as part of an external proposal. Funds cannot be used to support travel to attend professional meetings or conferences, except to attend conferences with an explicit focus on engagement. These funds are state funds and subject to all state guidelines, and are to be expended within the framework of the proposed work. Any unused funds at the end of the approved project will revert back to the Center for Engagement and Community Development.
Engagement Incentive Grants may be used for:
- Support of undergraduate and graduate student involvement in the project. Proposals requesting undergraduate or graduate student participation should make clear the role played by the student in the project, and highlight how the project contributes to the students' learning experience.
- Travel expenditures required by the project (excluding travel to professional meetings).
- General expenditures for supplies, equipment, materials, services, and personnel required by the project.
APPLICATION SHOULD INCLUDE ITEMS LISTED BELOW. PLEASE SUBMIT THREE (3) HARD COPIES OF THE GRANT APPLICATION, PLUS AN ELECTRONIC WORD OR PDF FILE TO CECD@KSU.EDU.
- Cover letter
- Project title
- Brief project description
- Collaborative partners (both on and off-campus)
- Potential impact for all collaborative parties
- Amount requested / Any proposed matching funds
- Approval signatures
- Principle Investigator(s)
- Department Head(s) / Director(s) / Supervisor(s)
- Dean(s)
- Complete narrative (4 page maximum) explaining why funds are needed
- Letter of support from Department Head / Director
- Detailed budget justification
- Short vita (two page maximum) for all collaborative partners
- Any additional documentation necessary to help reviewers understand your proposal
SUBMISSIONS AND DEADLINE
Proposals should be submitted to the Director of the Center for Engagement and Community Development by 5:00 p.m. on November 2, 2009. Awards will be announced December 5, 2009.
Questions should be directed to the Director of the Center for Engagement and Community Development.
Contact information is:
Dr. David E. Procter, DirectorCenter for Engagement and Community Development
202 Ahearn Field House
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6868
cecd@ksu.edu