WCTL Teaching Innovation Grants
Are you passionate about experiential learning? Do you want to give your undergraduate students a class to remember and an experience they’ll never forget? Take a look at our Teaching Innovation Grants! We offer three types of grants to help faculty take their undergraduate classes to the next level: Classroom Mini Grants, High-Impact Practices Grants, and HIP Matching Funds. These grants can be used for a variety of functions including working with community partners, purchasing scientific equipment, travel expenses, creating simulations, hosting guest speakers, and more!
From Dr. Katherine Kinnear’s “Ecosystem Disturbance and Utilization of Supplemental Habitat,” project.
Program FAQs
Eligibility
All UTC faculty and staff (part-time and full-time) are eligible to apply for HIP Grants, HIP Matching Funds and Classroom Mini Grants. Graduate teaching assistants may apply as secondary applicants for HIP Grants.
Application Process
Be sure to download the appropriate forms for the grant of your choice as HIP Grants, HIP Matching Funds and Classroom Mini Grants have separate guidelines and application forms.
Grant Application Due Dates
Classroom Mini Grants are evaluated on a rolling basis. HIP Grants are evaluated on a monthly basis. As a general rule, HIP grant applications are due the first of each month. However, weekends, holidays and administrative closings can affect these dates. For the current academic year (2024-2025), the grant application deadlines are as follows: Sept 2, Oct 1, Nov 1, Dec 2, Jan 2, Feb 3, Mar 3, April 1, May 1, June 2, July 1, and Aug 1. HIP Grant applicants typically receive a notification regarding their application no more than three weeks after the monthly application deadline.
Requirements
Proposed projects must be a part of the regular course of undergraduate course instruction, not to substitute funds or services that would otherwise be provided during the time period in question.
Funding Levels
- Classroom Mini Grants are funded up to $500.
- HIP Grants are typically funded up to $5,000.
- HIP Matching Funds are funded up to $500.
Additional Notes
Sustainability Preference and Restrictions on One-Time Events
To encourage grants that are “sustainable” (i.e., funds to support acquisitions which can be used again in future semesters), there is a restriction on one-time events for guest speakers and workshops per department: the limit for these activities is $1,000 per semester. We encourage you to coordinate with your Department Head and faculty when requesting such funds.
Questions and Accommodations
Additional information about high-impact practices and characteristics of quality high-impact practices can be found on AAC&U's website.
If you have questions about the program or require accommodation in applying for the grant, please contact Dr. David Pleins ([email protected]).