Academic Partnership Grant Information

Purpose:
The Andrews University Academic Partnership Grant supports new or emerging interdisciplinary collaborations to integrate and energize curricula. Its purpose is to foster creative thinking and planning that will result in revitalization of curricular ideas and strengthen existing programs through initiatives that enrich the academic community and enhance the student experience. The funds will help create space and time to encourage innovative collaboration across disciplines and levels.

Description:
The Academic Partnership initiative offers two grants of $100,000 each for an interdisciplinary curricular initiative by Andrews University faculty, departments, schools, and colleges.  Funds will be available beginning FY2023.

The proposal and project must include participants from at least two different departments, schools, or colleges and must impact the undergraduate core curriculum of at least one participating entity.

Budgeting:
Funding for the selected projects will be a total of $100,000 to be budgeted over three years, with a $40,000 cap on spending the first year and $25,000 each successive year, with a $10,000 contingency fund.  Eligible expenses include course releases for current faculty (with chair/dean permission), support for student assistants, professional support services, and special equipment or software.

Application Criteria: 
Desirable characteristics of successful proposals include….
• presents researched evidence of potential student/marketplace interest and/or need in the current cultural context
• impacts a broad community of undergraduate learners at Andrews University
• incorporates work experience in the curricular innovations
• proposes distinctive innovation in the Andrews curriculum that will differentiate the University from its academic peers
• engages Andrews University partners, friends or alumni
• may lead to external funding

Academic Partnership Grant Rubric:

Important Deadlines:
• April 18, 2022—Andrews University Partnership Grant announcement
• July 1, 2022—Letter of intent to participate submitted to the Office of the Provost
• September 15, 2022—Applications for funding due
• September 30, 2022—Pitch Competition

Review Process:
A faculty review committee will select the top proposals for funding. The Executive Deans Council will make the final decisions and select the two proposals to be funded.
 

Sampling of Funded Academic Partnership Grant Topics

These samples include topics that were funded at other universities. They are not meant to focus you on a particular topic but rather to get creative juices flowing. If you are able to find good examples of interdisciplinary proposals, then please share them with me and I will post them here. 

• Evidencing a Culture of Inclusivity in the Northeastern Writing Program

• Soliciting Diverse Student Voices for Strengthening Inclusive Curricula in Health Care

• Bridging Each Applicant’s Chance for Higher Ed Success

• Pathway to Academic Careers and Training

• Celia Pearce, Room at the Top: A Game to Promote Diversity in Teamwork

• A Mathematical Launch for Incoming Align Students

• Life Skills in the Classroom and Beyond

• More Voices, Smarter Innovation: Diversity in Music Industry and Sonic Arts

• And here are examples from Washington University of St Louis https://diversity.wustl.edu/initiatives/grants/diversity-inclusion-grants/past-recipients/