Kansas State University

Announcement of engagement incentive grants

Submitted by David Procter

The office of the provost and the Center for Engagement and Community Development, or CECD, announce the engagement incentive grant program. The engagement incentive grants are seed grants designed to assist faculty, K-State Research and Extension specialists and agents to become more fully engaged in teaching, research and outreach.

By engagement, we mean:

A form of research, teaching or service in which collaborative efforts between university and community stakeholders result in scholarly activity and community benefit around a public issue.

Funding

The engagement incentive grants are funded jointly by the office of the provost and the Center for Engagement and Community Development, and it is expected that grant funds will be available on a continuing basis. Grants will be awarded on an annual, one-time basis.

Total funding is $50,000 with maximum awards of $10,000. Use of funds are guided by state policies.

Time line

Application due: April 1

Awards announced: Approximately May 1

Funding Available: July 1

Progress Report due after year one. Final Report due at conclusion of year two.

Purpose /Scope

The Center for Engagement and Community Development solicits proposals from tenured and tenure-track faculty, full-time instructors and K-State Research and Extension specialists and agents for projects that will lead to enhanced engagement in teaching, research and/or outreach. These grants are intended to provide seed funding to incorporate engagement into instructional, research and/or outreach programs. Activities supported by this program should project both short-term and long-term impacts. This funding should lead to a larger project concept and the submission of a proposal for external funding.

Examples of fundable engagement activities include, but are not limited to:

• Engaged instructional programs that incorporate service learning
• Design and piloting of multidisciplinary, engaged curricula across departments and colleges
• Community-based participatory research
• Applied interdisciplinary research aimed at addressing important public issues
• Technical assistance on issues such as environment, public health, education, housing, transportation and small business development
• Leadership development
• Training and educational programs that will strengthen the economic and/or social well-being of people
• Programs aimed at bettering the lives of underserved populations
• Community asset identification and mapping, strategic planning and resource development

For examples of previous grant awardees, please visit CECD Engagement Grant Honor Roll.

Review Criteria and Process

This program will be managed by the Center for Engagement and Community Development, which reports to the provost. Proposals will be reviewed by a panel appointed by the director of the Center for Engagement and Community Development. Final funding decisions will be made by the center director in consultation with the review panel. Review criteria include:

• Project addresses significant public need
• Project identifies multidisciplinary team representing some combination of campus, KSRE and stakeholder partners
• Evidence exists that all partners have been involved in the proposal
• Important outcomes are projected for all collaborative partners
• Clarity of planned engagement activities
• Reasonable and specific project timeline
• Potential for sustainability of project beyond grant
• Accomplishment Benchmarks
• Special consideration will be given to those engagement grant proposals that demonstrate matching funds from their department and/or college.

Application Process

All proposals must be submitted electronically in one PDF file to cecd@k-state.edu, including the following application materials:

• Cover letter
• Project narrative (3 page maximum), including:
  • Project title
  • Brief project description including need being addressed, engaged activities, timeline of project and accomplishment benchmarks
  • Collaborative partners (both on and off-campus) and their role
  • Potential impact for all collaborative parties
  • Amount of funding requested and any matching funds
• Budget and budget justification (2 page maximum)
• One letter of support from dean, department head or director
• Short vita (2 page maximum) for all principle investigators

For questions about the engagement incentive grant program, please contact the Center for Engagement and Community Development or David E. Procter at:

Center for Engagement and Community Development
202 Ahearn Field House
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6868
cecd@k-state.edu