1. Funding for Education Scholarship Russ Pimmel NSF ASEE Annual Conference June 20, 2006

2. Initial Consideration Distinguish scholarly teaching, education development, education research Consider three questions: Do you want to do it? Should you? “R” or “D”? –Assess your interest, institution’s culture, local R&D opportunities, funding opportunities Become a reviewer

3. Developing an Idea Follow model for disciplinary R&D Learn the literature & funding opportunities Make connections with community Match project with program requirements Talk to program director Read solicitation & GPG

4. NSF’s Engineering Education Support NSF funds research and development proposals on engineering education Two main programs –EHR/DUE -- Course, curriculum and laboratory improvement Deadline: I/10/07 & probably 5/07 –ENG/EEC -- Engineering education research Deadline: 8/15/06 Others – check the website

5. EHR/DUE’s CCLI Program Vision : Excellent STEM education for all undergraduate students. Goal : Stimulate, disseminate, and institutionalize innovative developments in STEM education through the production of knowledge and the improvement of practice. Components: –Material & pedagogy development –Faculty development –Implementation –Assessment –Research

6. ENG/EEC’s Engineering Education Research Program Vision: Basic understanding to enable the transformation undergraduate and graduate engineering education Goal: Deeper understanding of how students learn engineering Research Areas: –Aims and objectives of engineering education –Content and organization of the curriculum –How students learn problem solving, creativity & design –New methods for assessment and evaluation –Attracting a more talented and diverse student body

7. Developing a Proposal Establish a project focus & consider all aspects from the start –For “D” – Consider goals & outcomes, rationale, evaluation, & dissemination –For “R” – Consider research questions, rationale, methods, & impact Get evaluator involved early Get theoretical & methodological help early Start early, share ideas, get advice Write for the reader Check on IRB approval

8. Proposal Submission Submit through FastLane or grants.gov Check with your research office & register Submit before deadline, check uploaded version

9. Proposal Processing NSF proposals receive at least 3 reviews -- often more –Panel Review Individuals read proposals and write reviews Panel meets to discuss and revise reviews –Mail Review Individuals read proposals and write reviews No meeting or discussion –Reviewers Give rating (E, V, G, F, or P) Separate comments on intellectual merit & broader impacts

10. Practical Aspects of Review Process Reviewers have: Many proposals –Ten or more from several areas Limited time for your proposal –20 minutes for first read Different experiences in review process –Veterans to novices Different levels of knowledge in proposal area –Experts to outsiders Discussions of proposals’ merits at panel meeting –Share expertise and experience

11. Dealing with Practical Aspects 1.Follow solicitation & GPG 2.Use good style 3.Use a readable, “friendly” structure 4.Pay attention to Project Summary 5.Prepare credible budget

12. Dealing with Practical Aspects 6.Address prior funding when 7.Sell your ideas – Don’t over promote 8.Address review criteria 9.Proofread it 10.Check uploaded version

13. Continue Trying When Unsuccessful Read the reviews Talk to program director Revise and resubmit