Call for proposals: Experiential Learning (EL) Innovation Grants

EL Innovation Grants are intended to support faculty members and non-credit activity directors in developing innovative and new experiential learning courses and non-credit activities for undergraduate students at the University of Georgia.

Grants may be as large as $25,000 for program development that will take place between September 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. The program must be offered to students no later than the 2020-2021 academic year.

The EL Office will facilitate the submission of newly created course(s) or non-credit activity to the University Curriculum Committee for approval for inclusion in the EL requirement and/or EL transcript.

Successful proposals must demonstrate the following criteria:

• Alignment of proposed program objectives with the EL learning outcomes
• A plan for sustainability of the program beyond the initial funding provided via the EL Innovation Grant up to a minimum of three years

Priority will be given to proposals that represent one or more of the following:

• The proposal expands or redefines well-understood modes of EL (e.g., study abroad, service-learning, faculty-mentored research, leadership, and internships; new modes may involve one or more of those categories, but may also include project-based learning or other innovations that lie outside of established categories).
• The proposal has the potential to serve increasingly larger numbers of students over the next three years.
• The proposal establishes EL opportunities for first and second year undergraduate students.
• The proposal enables students to connect with career pathways identified as Bright Outlook Occupations by the U.S. Department of Labor.
• The proposal addresses gaps in existing EL offerings (e.g., underserved disciplines, student populations, or community/industry opportunities).

Please indicate your (or your team’s) interest in applying with an initial brief email or phone inquiry (706-542-7926) to Andrew H. Potter, director of the Office of University Experiential Learning.

Proposals will be considered on a rolling basis, until the available funding is fully awarded.

Full proposals will require submission of a one- to two-page document describing the course or activity, defining assessments supporting the course or activity, and identifying how the requested funding will support experiential learning outcomes for student participants. Additionally, the proposal will need to include a one-page budget overview indicating how funds will be used and denoting any other sources of funding that are supporting the project and/or will sustain it beyond the grant period for three years. Proposals should be signed by the project leader(s) as well as the deans, associate provosts, or vice presidents of their respective colleges/units.

Proposals selected for funding may be required to utilize the EL assessment platform and may be featured at the inaugural Experiential Learning Summit in 2020.