Faculty Assistance Grants
Believing that the success and professional development of our faculty directly impacts the success and growth of our students and enhances the overall competitiveness of our University, the URI Foundation established the Faculty Assistance Fund grant program in 1991. The program is meant to support project proposals that enhance a full-time faculty member’s professional skills and development, or advance his/her scholarly and/or research interests.
The grants, awarded each spring, are intended to serve as seed money, as opposed to being used for existing programs, and supplemental funds should be provided by the college, department of faculty member. Additional external sources of funding, to supplement the seed grant, should also be sought.
Projects focused on interdisciplinary teaching and learning, active e-learning to promote engagement and experiential learning, as well as those with global influence or perspectives are especially encouraged.
Funding for the grants is provided by an annual appropriation made by the Foundation Executive Board. The funds are not derived from endowment earnings.
Proposals are evaluated by the University’s Grants Advisory Committee and then forwarded to the Foundation’s Competitive Grants Committee with recommendations for review and funding. Since 1991, 168 projects have been funded with an overall URI Foundation investment of $320,000. Grant awards range in size from $500 to $2,500.
The 2011 Awards process has opened. Proposals are due to the Foundation by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 8th. Click here for the complete electronic application, including award criteria and parameters.
Proposals must be forwarded electronically to mdrozd@foundation.uri.edu. Contact Meredith Drozd with any questions at that email address or by calling (401) 874.4977.