1. Writing your SOTL Proposal
Krista Trinder, ES&D
Brad Wuetherick, GMCTE
December 5, 2011

2. TIPS for Grant Writing
Requirements vary greatly for different funding agencies
Learn the agency’s priorities
Use their language
Read forms carefully
Follow guidelines exactly!
Contact the agency
When in doubt, ask!
Always good to get funding for your project. This will help you obtain resources to conduct your research and looks good on paper!
Different agencies often have very different requirements. Non-standardized procedure.
Before applying, it is good to learn the agency’s priorities. This will help you align your proposal to their mandate and increase your chance of success.
It is very important to read all forms carefully and follow guidelines exactly. Good applications may be rejected on a technicality.
If something is ambiguous or unclear, don’t assume. Contact the agency.

3. Sources of Funding U of S – GMCTE Educational Developers Caucus
Teaching Scholars’ Grant
Educational Developers Caucus
s/edc/Grants/index.php
Discipline-specific sources
Accounting
Most funding for SOTL research seems to be at the institutional level.
At the U of S, the GMCTE Teaching Scholars’ Grant provides funding for up to $3000. Deadline is in the summer.
At the national level, the Educational Developers Caucus provides grants up to $2500 for EDC members. Deadline is end of October.

4. Common Components of Grant Applications
Purpose and Objectives
What will this research accomplish?
Why is this important?
Current State of Knowledge
What is known/not known; why should we find out?
How does this research fit in?
Methodology
Describe methodological approach, data collection, and analysis
Relevance and Benefits
How does the research meet the agency’s objectives?

5. Budget Expenses may include: See handout
Research Assistant (Grad student = $17.02/hr + benefits)
Transcription (~$20/hr – allow at least 2.5 hours per hour of audio).
Participant Incentives (draws, lunches, payments)
Supplies (recording equipment, printing, etc.)
See handout

6. TimeLine Usually at least one year Include the following:
Preparing instruments
Participant recruitment and data collection
Data entry
Data analysis
Preparing manuscript for publication
External review
Final edits
Presentation at a conference

7. Keep Reader in Mind Use funder’s language Use short sentences
Avoid jargon
Use strong verbs (“will” instead of “may”)
Capture main idea in first sentence of paragraphs
Edit for spelling, grammar, pagination, etc.
Have someone else review

8. Assessing Your Proposal
How does it read?
Are the research questions and objectives original?
Are the questions significant/important?
Is it relevant to SOTL?
It is feasible?

9. Activity Thank you! See you in January!
Work through the Teaching Scholar’s Grant Application.
Thank you!
See you in January!