| Step1: Become
familiar with program. Review the items listed on this page. Description of the VCCS Professional Development Grant Program |
| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about VCCS Professional Development Grants |
| Tips for successful applicants VCCS Professional Development Grant Samples : |
| Sample 1 - Childhood Education |
| Sample 2 - Geographic Information Systems |
| Step 2: VCCS Professional Development Grant Application Cover Page (fax only - must contain signatures) |
| Step 3: VCCS Professional Development Grant Application (online only) |
| Step 4: VCCS Professional Development Grant Final Report Signature Page (fax only - must contain signatures) |
| Step 5: VCCS Professional Development Grant Final Report Form (online only) |
Description of the VCCS Professional Development Grant Program
Purpose
Faculty professional development is essential for faculty and student learning.
To support faculty in this enterprise, awards for new and on-going professional
development are available to all community college faculty in Virginia.
Opportunities for professional development grants will include the following
areas:
Discipline development – builds knowledge and skills within the academic
discipline or professional specialty.
Instructional development – improves classroom teaching, learning, and
assessment techniques.
Career development – provides tools for effective personal planning to improve
the quality of work and life.
Organizational development – enhances administrative and leadership skills to
fulfill the institutional mission of the community college.
Funding
A combination of reassigned time and grant award is possible, dependent upon the
quality, objectives, extent, and benefit of the proposed faculty professional
development project. Last year approximately 52% of the grant proposals were
funded.
Awarded funds will be transferred to the colleges for the grant recipients. For
reassigned time awards, colleges will use the funds for adjunct replacement
through the normal budget process. Faculty will coordinate reassigned time and
grant specifics with their vice president and dean/supervisor. For reimbursement
awards, colleges will establish a budget account where faculty can be reimbursed
for the expenditures related to fulfilling the objectives of the research. One
proposal per faculty member will be considered in a review cycle. A maximum of
one professional development grant and one workshop mini-grant can be awarded
per faculty member per funding cycle.
Proposals
Proposals for faculty grants require a description of the following areas:
Purpose
Methodology
Outcomes/benefits
Collaboration
Evaluation
Budget
Personal/college contributions
Dissemination of results
Professional Development Grant Award Schedule
Note: When deadline dates fall on a weekend, the deadline becomes the
next working day.
|
Application Deadlines |
Notification Dates | Effective Dates |
Final Report & Reimbursement Deadlines |
|
February 1 |
March 15 |
Summer Semester |
November 15 |
|
April 15 (extended - Apr. 27, 2007) |
May 30 |
Fall Semester |
March 15 |
|
October 1 |
November 15 |
Spring Semester |
August 15 |
Review
Proposals will be reviewed for all of the above sections and ranked for
scholarship, feasibility, and proposed benefit. Proposals will be considered through a
“blind” peer review process established by the VCCS Professional Development
Committee, which is representative of faculty throughout Virginia and appointed
by the Chancellor. Questions regarding the process can be addressed to Ms.Nan
Ottenritter at 804/819-4966 or by electronic mail to
nottenritter@vccs.edu or
fax to 804/819-4771.
Applicant Responsibility
A grant recipient who fails to comply with all requirements of the grant award,
including filing the final report, will be required to return the full amount
of any stipend and/or amounts awarded for expenses, and the college will be
expected to return amounts awarded for reassigned time to the VCCS Professional
Development Office. If additional time is needed to complete the grant and final
report, the recipient must contact Ms. Nan Ottenritter, VCCS Director of
Professional Development, and request an extension.
2006-2007 Professional Development
Committee
Thanks go to the current members of the VCCS Professional Development Committee
for their help with the VCCS Professional Development Grants. Current college
committee members include:
Dr. Richard Teaff (DSLCC)
Dr. Paul Lee (BRCC)
Mr. Paul A. Forrest (CVCC)
Mr. Bruce Olson (DSLCC)
Ms. Janet T. Laughlin (DCC)
Mr. Paul Weitzel (ESCC)
Mr. Mike Shirazi (GCC)
Mr. Skip Bottom (JSRCC)
Dr. Melody Moore (JTCC)
Ms. Joanne M. Horton (JTCC)
Ms. Elaine Cassel (LFCC)
Ms. Jane A. Jones (MECC)
Ms. Angie Covey (NRCC)
Ms. Nan Peck (NVCC)
Ms. Judy Horton (NVCC)
Mr. Jeff Porter (PHCC)
Dr. Harriette Arrington (PDCCC)
Ms. Ruth Greene (RCC)
Dr. W. Terry Whisnant (SSVCC)
Dr. Elizabeth Smith (SWVCC)
Dr. Barbara Gibson (TNCC)
Dr. Allen Costa (TCC)
Dr. Melba H. Taylor (VHCC)
Dr. Gloria Lindsay (VHCC)
Ms. Vickie Hash (WCC)
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about VCCS
Professional Development Grants
Questions about the proposed project:
|
Are adjunct instructors eligible to submit a grant application? |
| Yes. |
| Are classified staff personnel eligible to submit a grant application? |
| Classified staff may not be primary authors of the grant application but may be involved as collaborators and co-applicants. |
| What kinds of projects and other professional development activities are eligible for funding? |
| Grants support research projects and professional development activities that advance the mission of the VCCS are eligible. |
| What kinds of projects and other professional development activities are not eligible for funding? |
| Professional development activities typically funded by the College, such as tuition reimbursement or travel to VCCS sponsored seminars and conferences are not eligible. |
| Can travel to a non-VCCS conference be a legitimate aspect of a grant application? |
| Conference expenses will be considered for funding if they are part of a larger research project or professional development activity beneficial to the VCCS. |
| Can a trip overseas be a legitimate aspect of a grant application? |
| The approval of a proposal that involves overseas or extensive travel is dependent upon the purpose, methodology, and justification of travel costs in regard to faculty/administrative and student learning. When applying for a grant involving travel, make sure that your travel budget is well researched, detailed and realistic. |
| Would the design and development of a web-based course be considered a likely prospect for a grant? |
| Each application is considered individually based on its merits. However, in most cases, courses that are already available online (check VCCS Web Courses listing on lines – www.vccs.edu) are not likely to be funded for design or development unless there is a distinctive or innovative component of the proposal. |
| Which budgetary items will not be funded? |
| Computer software programs, textbooks, and other teaching materials will not be funded because they are a part of the instructional and professional needs normally supplied by the college. Equipment that is expected to be supplied by the home institution will also not be funded. |
| Are there guidelines for the best application of reassigned time for the applicant? |
| Reassigned time should be applied to endeavors outside the normal course of teaching and administrative responsibilities. It should be used to explore, experience, reflect upon, ingest, and apply new knowledge that you would otherwise not have had the time to pursue and/or apply. A request for three credit hours of reassigned time would be considered for grant activities that require at least forty-five hours of work. |
| Can I be awarded both reassigned time and a grant award? |
| A combination of the two is possible dependent upon the quality, objectives, extent of, benefit and cost requirements of the proposed professional development activity. |
| Can I apply for a second grant as a follow-up to my involvement in a first grant award? |
| If appropriate, a longer-term commitment is possible, especially when the applicant clearly defines the methodology. Include information on the intent to apply for a follow-up grant to help reviewers understand the proposal’s long and short-term goals. |
| How should my Individual Development Plan be applied to my proposal? |
| Under the “Benefits of the Proposal” section, show how a grant award or reassigned time will further your personal and professional goals, benefit your discipline and college and, most importantly, benefit your students. The benefits of faculty professional development to the students is often the most difficult to define quantitatively, yet it should be the ultimate goal of the endeavor. A faculty member, however, does not have to have a formal Individual Development Plan in place in order to receive a grant award. |
Questions about the application:
| What are “college contributions”? |
| Examples of college “in-kind” contributions for implementation, documentation, evaluation, or dissemination of the project include the following: copying, printing and clerical services; videotaping and photographic expenses; computer software, hardware, and other technological equipment; and use of a college vehicle for travel to a conference that is part of the project. |
| What are examples of “individual contributions”? |
| Research costs and the purchase of books, computer software, film, and other materials that are potentially applicable to classroom teaching and one’s discipline in the context of the project are legitimate individual contributions. Often the faculty applicant already owns materials that are relevant to the project and can therefore claim these as personal contributions. |
| What is meant by “evaluation of the project”? |
| The key factor to assessment is to describe the benefits of the project and your professional development as they relate to the education of your students. While often difficult to gauge, benefits may be shown through the following: modification of course content; documentation of “before and after grant” assessment of course content; student verbal and written responses to revitalized, new or expanded course offerings; and improved retention and lower attrition rates over several semesters of classes involved in a modified experience due to the grantee’s enhanced knowledge. |
| What types of dissemination activities and venues are appropriate? |
| It is important to share the results of your research with your students, as well as your colleagues. Appropriate vehicles for this include published information, your classroom, faculty/staff and division meetings and in-service activities, peer group meetings, local and national conferences, and seminars and professional meetings. The VCCS New Horizons Conference, for example, has proved to be an excellent venue for sharing knowledge. |
| Is it a good idea to mention the service area for the grant proposal? |
| Since the award process is by “blind” peer review, the service area may only be included if it does not pinpoint the particular college of the grant applicant. |
| Do I have to address every element of the grant application? |
| Absolutely. An application without all the elements addressed is incomplete and will not be considered for funding. |
| How important is it that the grant application be well written and free of grammatical errors? |
| It is extremely important. The grant application is the only thing the committee members see as they make their decisions; it is the only indicator as to the likely success or value of the completed project. The applicant should proofread it carefully and ask a peer or a supervisor not connected with the project to read it for clarity, accuracy, and consistency. |
| How does the Professional Development Grant Committee go about reviewing the grant proposals? |
| The proposals are anonymous, allowing for a “blind” review by the committee. The Professional Development Grant Committee consists of two subcommittees, which consider grant requests from colleges other than their own. Committee members individually evaluate each component of the proposal, and then share their assessment with their subcommittee members. This may be accomplished through a combination of activities, often including E-mail, conference calls, and meetings. The director of professional development or her designee participates in meetings and teleconferences to answer questions and/or provide necessary assistance. |
Tips for Successful Applications
Read through the entire grant application packet and instructions on this site.
Review FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions).
Discuss the idea for your proposal with colleagues and with your Academic Dean.
Have your Professional Development Committee member, Director of Grants, and/or a colleague read the first and second drafts of the application.
Consult with colleagues that have been successful in receiving a grant and those who were not.
Prepare a draft application and review it several times. Put your name and the name of your college only on the cover page of your proposal.
Make it clear that what you are proposing is not considered part of your normal teaching and faculty duties.
Work with your academic dean in preparing and submitting your final application.
For faculty and administrative international exchanges, know about and, if possible, connect with the VaCIE-VCCS International Exchange program (information can be found at http://www.vacie-vccsinternationalexchange.org/blog/.
If you are developing courses or programs, demonstrate knowledge of, and connect your proposal with existing policies and structures such as curriculum committees, experimental courses, or existing repositories for learning objects such as MERLOT.
If you have questions that cannot be answered locally, email Ms. Nan Ottenritter, Director of Professional Development, at nottenritter@vccs.edu with your questions.
Once you have completed your grant project, you must file the final report of
your project within designated time or you and your college will be asked to
return the funds awarded.
Possible reasons for rejection of your application:
Your name and/or the name of your college are on a page other than the cover
page of the grant application.
The proposal is incomplete.
The proposal is not clear and concise. Do not assume the reader will understand
acronyms, models, or what is routinely available in your discipline.
| VCCS Professional Development Homepage |