WVU Faculty International Grant Program
The program is open to all faculty, regardless of subject matter, expertise, length of service or tenure track status. Faculty members may apply individually or as a group. Activities may focus on a single content area or may be multidisciplinary. There is no limit to the number of times a faculty member can apply for a Faculty International Grant. Summaries of previous activities funded by the program will be a part of the evaluation process, however. The forms for this program are the same as for the Faculty Development grants.
Applications to this program are to be submitted in conjunction with the Faculty Development Grant Deadline dates:
THE PROGRAM
Normally grants requesting funding greater than $1,500 per participating faculty member have not been funded or have been funded at an amount smaller than that requested. Activities in the area of research, curriculum development and outreach are given priority. A proposal is more likely to be funded if it can be viewed as “seed money” for clearly planned project development and with significant potential for a long-term impact on the entire university or on one or more of its units.
There are some constraints on the kinds of activities that will be funded through the Faculty International Program Grants. This program does not fund short-term lecturing or travel to international conferences or symposia. Requests for support to engage in exploratory discussions which are hoped to yield long-term results will not receive high priority.
In order for a proposal to be eligible for funding under the program:
- There should be a clear relationship between the proposed activity/project/program and one or more elements of the mission of West Virginia University , i.e., teaching, research and service.
- The proposed activity should have an influence beyond the individual faculty member submitting the proposal. For example, a proposal has a better chance of receiving funding if it involves graduate or undergraduate students; has an impact on curriculum; results in collaborative research with an international counterpart; or has an impact on the economic development of West Virginia and/or an international partner.
- There must be a clear follow-up plan for the funded activity.
- In addition to letters of support from department chairpersons and deans, applicants should include, where appropriate, letters of invitation from counterpart hosts/scholars in the country or countries where they expect to work. There should also be evidence of a search for funding from other sources besides the Faculty International Grants Program including sources external to the University, other University faculty development funds, and department and/or college funds. Alternatively, there should be indication of a plan for accessing external funds. Special consideration will be given to proposals that have a prior commitment for funding at the departmental and/or college level.
INFORMATION REQUIRED
The following is in addition to the items requested on the Faculty Development Grant Program form. Please be sure to include all items required and follow page restrictions.
- Names of all participating faculty.
- Description (1-2 pages) of the proposed project and/or activity for which funding is requested. This replaces the “description of proposed activities” page in the existing Faculty Development application packet. The description should include the products of the activity and their long-term impact with a follow-up to the proposed activity and clearly identify the relationship to teaching, research and/or service.
- Departmental and/or college letters of support, whether or not funding is provided by these units.
- Faculty Vitae (no more than two pages per person).
- Appendices as appropriate, including any additional support documentation.
As part of the follow-up activities, each recipient or group of recipients will be asked to schedule a departmental, college, or University-level seminar to share the results of their funded work. Additionally, each recipient will be required to submit a written summary of grant activities and the expenditure of grant funds.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
The following evaluation criteria will be applied:
- The overall soundness and innovative qualities of the proposed activity/project.
- A follow-up plan related to the results of the activity/project; evidence of a clear commitment by the faculty member(s) involved to ensure that follow-up will be implemented.
- The potential for this activity to contribute to the mission of West Virginia University, signified by specific plans to ensure that the activity has a long term impact on teaching, research or service at WVU.
- A commitment of the faculty’s department(s) and/or college(s) in support of the activity or project, where appropriate.
- Evidence of a search for funding from sources external to the university, evidence of plans for such a search in the future, and/or attempts to access funding from other university sources.
For additional information, contact Daniel Weiner, Director of the Office of International Programs (Phone: 293-6955×5)
Complete and sign the application form. Number all pages in the upper right hand corner. Because of limited funding and the large number of applicants, you must follow all instructions to be considered for funding. Applications must be typed.
Submit the original application signed by you (the principal applicant), your chair and your dean or director. Sponsored Programs will make the necessary copies for the Faculty Development Grant Committee.
The application must reach the Office of Sponsored Programs at 886 Chestnut Ridge Road, PO Box 6845 , no later than 4:45 P.M. on the deadline date.
The committee will consider retroactive applications in the next immediate award period only. You must fully justify a delayed application.
Feel free to contact the Associate Provost for Academic Personnel, or Wendy Spaw, at ext. 293 2021 for assistance.
Administration
All awards are made directly to the individual.