The Professional Improvement and Development Committee is calling for applications for professional improvement awards. The amount of money to be awarded will be determined pending funding. Awards will be made for activities that will occur between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014.
Based on a survey of faculty conducted by the committee, the following areas have been identified as of primary importance. They are listed in priority order:
- Travel for confirmed presentations, performances, and exhibits
- Research travel
- Research supplies
- Continuing education
- Collaborative research/projects with students
- Interdisciplinary research/projects
- Curriculum development
- Degree completion
More information about the Professional Improvement Grant can be viewed on the Center for Professional Development website (PDF download).
The committee invites applications for funds in any of the above categories. Each proposal will be reviewed and evaluated on the basis of its connection with:
(1) artistic and scholarly work; or
(2) integration of an academic discipline with professional service; or
(3) discovery and/or incorporation of new dimensions of working with students.
Successful proposals will demonstrate a clear intellectual justification; contribute to professional development plans of individual faculty; and will be consistent with university priorities as understood by the Professional Improvement and Development Committee.
For Presentations:
Awards will be considered for presentations without confirmation at date of award. Funds will not be released, however, until confirmation is received.
For Research Projects:
The grant application must show a relationship between the proposed request for funds and a final research project. Demonstrating a direct relationship between a final research project and a proposed request for funding is critical for the funding of travel for research purposes. Student expenses cannot be funded through professional improvement grants.
Funding for Multiple Projects:
Due to fiscal constraints and the large number of applications in recent years the committee has only been able to fund one project per faculty member per academic year. Faculty with more than one project request should prioritize their projects.
Funding Limitations for Travel:
Due to funding limitations, the maximum award for travel in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean is $1,200, and for all other international travel the maximum award is $1,500.
Faculty receiving awards will be expected to report through a public forum, as proposed by the respective dean, on their activities and accomplishments at the end of the grant period. The committee also encourages faculty to share new knowledge and insights gained from their projects in appropriate public forums such as the Honors Council lecture series.
Funded projects will be announced campus-wide and all proposals will be made available for faculty review after awards are announced.
CALENDAR OF DEADLINES
March 22 – Submit applications for professional improvement funds to departmental chair.
March 29 – Applications for professional improvement funds forwarded by department chair to dean or appropriate supervisor with recommendation.
April 5 – Deans or other appropriate supervisors comment on applications and forward to Dean Nielsen (Decker Hall 110). The dean’s office will notify applicants of receipt of their applications. If you don’t receive notification by April 12, please contact Dean Nielsen’s office (3730 or email cnielsen@bemidjistate.edu)
April 19 – All applications for professional improvement funds reviewed and evaluated by the Professional Improvement and Development Committee. (Pending funding).
April 26 – Successful applicants notified by the Dean’s office of the amount of their award. (Pending funding).
May 3 – Successful applicants must notify the Academic & Student Affairs Vice President in writing of acceptance or rejection of award. (Pending funding).
For more information, contact: Sharon Russell
Decker Hall #110
srussell@bemidjistate.edu
755-3732