FUNDING FOR CURRICULAR DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION
Robin Villa and Regina Masterson
Possibilities for grants to fund your project in curriculum development
exist within the university as well as from government agencies and private
funding sources (foundations and corporations). The Office of Research
Administration, located in Shepard Hall, Room 16 (650-5418), can help to
guide faculty in grant searches. The staff can provide guidelines for a
number of state and federal programs that support curriculum development.
Related federal agency programs include:
- NSF Course and Curriculum Development Projects (Annual deadline in
June)
- Department of Education FIPSE Program (Annual deadline in October)
- NEH Humanities Focus Grant (Deadlines September 15 and April 17)
The Research Administration staff can also help with access to computer
databases of interest to grant seekers, useful for identifying government
and private funding sources. Many government agencies as well as private
foundations have home pages on the Web that provide the most current information
on funding opportunities and research interests.
Within the City University system, grants are available under two programs:
the PSC-CUNY Research Award Program funds research related to curriculum
development and improvement of teaching. The annual deadline for this program
is in October for the next academic year beginning in July. The CUNY Collaboratives
Program provides funding for joint research projects by faculty from more
than one City University campus - particularly for projects involving different
disciplines. The deadline is in April for the following September. Applications
for both programs are available from the Office of Research Administration.
Once possible funding sources for curricular projects are identified, faculty
can receive assistance in interpreting Requests for Proposals (RFPs), as
well as structuring and writing proposals through the newly established
Center for Teaching and Learning. The Center also sponsors workshops on
grant writing during the academic year. For additional information on the
Center, contact Assistant Provost Ellen Smiley at x8245.
Please be aware that lead time for grants can be very long. You should plan
on submitting grants in the fall for the next academic year. Be sure to
double-check deadlines and frequency of consideration of proposals with
funding agencies.
To coordinate requests for grants to funding agencies, the college requires
that a sign-off sheet be completed for each grant request. This form, available
from the Office of Research Administration, must be signed by the department
chair, dean, and provost.
Grants are awarded to the institution on behalf of faculty members and administered
by the College or the Research Foundation. Checks for grants are made out
to City College or the Research Foundation.
Robin Villa, Director of Development Services
Development Office
Shepard Hall, Room S154
(212) 650-8471
Regina Masterson, Director
Office of Research Administration
Shepard Hall, Room S16
(212) 650-5418