Ruth S. Holmberg Grant for Faculty Excellence

Introduction

Proposals must be submitted using the form found here, no later than 11:59 p.m. on 27 March 2025 for consideration for funding in the 2025-2026 academic year.

The purpose of the Ruth S. Holmberg Grant for Faculty Excellence is to support faculty who have demonstrated the potential and ability to function at a higher level of scholarship, engage students in addressing problems of contemporary importance through research efforts, or work with tenured faculty or the administration in building innovative curriculum.

Requested funding must address one of the areas noted below:

1. Faculty Development, Training and Travel to ensure recipients are scholars at the cutting-edge of their field or discipline.
2. Buy-outs for course releases to support time for research and special projects. Funding could be used to pay an adjunct teacher so the faculty member would be free to pursue research or innovative projects.
3. Faculty grants that promote innovative or creative research and engagement, or advancement of an academic discipline. 

Eligibility

Tenured and tenure-track faculty are eligible to apply.

Criteria

1. The purpose or focus of the professional development, scholar activity, research, etc.
2. Justification and rationale for the activity.
3. A description of how the activity will advance the professional/scholarly career of the applicant.
4. Expected outcomes and how outcomes will be assessed or validated.
5. Funding request (budget) and justification.

Evaluation Process

Proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee utilizing the rubric found below. Recommendations for funding will be made to the Provost, who will make final funding decisions in May. Approximately $20,000 will be available for awarding each year. There is no set number of awards to be made each year. Only highly meritorious proposals will receive consideration and potential funding. A range of $2,000 - $5,000 will be awarded per proposal.