Course and curriculum development in CLAS originates with our faculty at the departmental and/or program level.

Advancing Curricula & Teaching Grants

The Dean and Associate Deans of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) at the University of Colorado Denver are pleased to announce the 2016-2017 CLAS Advancing Curricula and Teaching (ACT) grant. CLAS ACT funding is designated to further develop a campus environment that supports and encourages approaches to teaching and learning that advance the College’s mission. This year, we invite proposals for projects related to the further development of CLAS online teaching initiatives.  Proposals for projects designed to reach large numbers of students or to "upscale" currently effective practices (for example, through the development of "master classes" and/or with creative and effective use of teaching or learning assistants) are strongly encouraged. Proposals for projects designed to increase the use of high-impact practices in online courses or curricula are also encouraged.

Eligibility

All faculty members in CLAS with half-time or greater appointments are eligible to apply. Applications may have multiple participants, and participation of faculty from other colleges in other roles on the project is acceptable. However, the principal awardee must be a CLAS faculty member.

Funding Limit and Allowable Expenses

The funding request limit for CLAS ACT Grants is $5,000. Permitted expenses for CLAS ACT Awards include salary for student assistants, research- or program/curriculum development-related supplies and materials, faculty summer salary (Salary Savings Policy will not apply), and costs associated with manuscript preparation and publication.

Travel to professional conferences is typically ineligible for support.

Grant Limitations

Grant funds should be expended within twelve months of the award unless other arrangements are proposed as part of the application. A report on the outcome of the project will be required one year after the grant's issuance.

The Selection Process

Proposals will be evaluated by a committee comprised of CLAS Associate Deans, a representative of CLAS Council, and the Director of the Center for Faculty Development. If a proposal seems to require specialized expertise outside the purview of committee members, the committee will solicit input from appropriate source(s).

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on merit. Specific review criteria applied include:

  1. How well the proposed activity matches the purposes of the CLAS ACT program and conforms to application guidelines
  2. The degree to which the project seems innovative
  3. If the work proposed appears feasible

Committee members will select proposals they regard as most deserving of funding and forward their recommendations to the Dean. The Dean will consider their recommendations and make the final decision on proposals to be funded.

Timeline

Applications for CLAS ACT support must be received in the Dean's Office by Friday, March 18, 2016. The Dean's decisions on proposals to be funded will be announced by May 15, 2016.

Application Process

Please use the checklist on the CLAS ACT Grant Application to ensure that your proposal is complete. The Committee will not review incomplete proposals.

Applicants should submit:

  1. the application (with completed checklist),
  2. a brief (3 page) proposal,
  3. a summary vita (maximum 2 pages),
  4. a project budget, and
  5. a letter of support from the applicant’s Chair.

Questions about the CLAS ACT program should be directed to:

Associate Dean Richard Allen
303 556-6740
Richard.Allen@ucdenver.edu​​​​